International Women’s Bazaar offers goods from art to jewelry, made by women from around the world

Ainsley Smyth, Reporter|April 24, 2023

In hopes of marketing their work, refugees and other female artists and entrepreneurs came to Wichita State Thursday.

A collaboration between the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the International Rescue Committee, the International Women’s Bazaar featured many female-owned businesses and independent artists.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) focuses on refugee resettlement and helping those affected by humanitarian crises around the world. Twenty-two individuals signed up for the Bazaar, around double the amount from the last event in November.

“It’s just to help them with their business,” Sehareem Zia, women’s economic empowerment specialist for IRC, said. “Get the exposure out there for their products and their skills.”

Christina Maloney, a first-time vendor at the event with her line Natty’s Essentials, a body and skin care line emphasizing natural, handmade products.

“I like to support a lot of women’s events throughout the city,” Maloney said.

Junior Engineering technology major Alayna Boykin marketed her self-started business, the Royal Glow Boutique. Boykin is also part of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

“I rhinestone and design everything myself,” she said. “I think my purpose is in the fashion industry. I want to help build people’s confidence, specifically women, with clothes.”

Boykin calls herself a fashion engineer.

“I really just sketch on technology,” Boykin said. “Sometimes, I take pieces from other resources and manufacturers and put my own spin on it.”

The bazaar also featured jewelry and art vendors, as well as a henna artist.

Nabiha Chaudhary, an assistant psychology professor, attended the event and said she volunteers for IRC.

“I think it’s a really cool initiative,” Chaudhary said. “To see folks coming here and having these opportunities to make some money and … contacts is really cool.”