Address/Location: In front of Church

As part of the Wilhelm Tell Festival weekend, an ethnic fashion show is presented on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. in town. It is called an ethnic fashion show since more than just Swiss trachten are featured. Also featured are Germen trachten (costumes), Norwegian Bundas, Scottish kilts, Pakistan formal outfits as well as the costumes of the Wilhelm Tell Usherettes.

Most people realize countries have unique costumes, but do not realize that areas within countries often have distinct costumes as well. The costumes modeled at the show are authentic, except for the Usherette costumes. Every detail, from material to buttons to embroidery, is authentic. Costumes from several different Swiss Cantons are modeled. We learned that making authentic costumes is harder than one thinks. It is much more than just picking up a dress pattern and some material. The materials and embellishments all come directly from Switzerland. These costumes are highly guarded by the Swiss and not just anyone can have an authentic costume, it must be approved.

The costumes are privately owned and most often work by their owner or a relative of the owner. As the models present their costumes, a description of them is told - where they come from, special details, etc. The Ethnic Fashion Show is educational as well as entertaining.

The Usherette costumes were created by Edwin Barlow and Julie Heirli in 1938 for the first Tell Play. Barlow was the originator of the Tell Drama in New Glarus and Heirli was a recognized authority of Swiss Costumes. These costumes are Barlow's rendition of 13th Century Canton trachten - 13th Century being the time of the Tell story.

The first Ethnic Fashion Show was produced in 1997 for the 60th Tell Festival and has continued annually since then. A few new costumes are added each year to add variety and expand the show.

See Slideshow!