The Melissa High School Fashion Design class partnered with Melissa ISD Elementary Schools to create culturally inspired Barbies for Multicultural Day. Fashion Design students each researched a culture represented in the district to design a traditional outfit for a Barbie. Students found inspiration from online platforms, fashion magazines, or by talking to someone knowledgeable about the chosen country. They creatively used available classroom materials, including donated fabrics, to craft the outfits, often incorporating cultural jewelry for authenticity.
The students faced challenges in outfit sizing, design, and mastering specific sewing techniques. They also volunteered to organize fashion shows for Multicultural Day across the four elementary schools, handling everything from coordinating with parents and student participants to managing music and presentations to ensure the events ran smoothly.
The culturally themed Barbies will be displayed in the MHS library, showcasing cultures such as Croatia, France, India, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Russia.