Asian designers honored at fashion show

Cheering and whistling filled the Movement Theater International as eight Asian males wearing black tuxedos strolled down the runway Friday night for "Vision: The Fashion Show." Part of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Week celebration, the event was sponsored by Greenfield Intercultural Center, Conaissance and the Social Planning and Events Committee. The show was intended to commemorate the struggles and successes of Asian designers while strengthening awareness for Asian Pacific heritage, according to College and Wharton senior and master of ceremonies Jason Sambini. Fashion Show Executive Coordinator Claudia Ly, a College junior, said the two-hour extravaganza featured apparel from various Asian cultures and well-known Asian designers including Vivienne Tam, Mina Koo and Model Minority. The show began with a modern dance performed by 11 members of the Asian Student Union. Models then took to the runway, showing off designer wear first, followed by cultural attire. An auction preview of the clothing to be sold at Saturday night's Charity Gala concluded the event. Most students said they were pleased with the show. College freshmen Liz McCuskey and Julie Buxbaum both came to see friend and model Aliya Karmally, a Wharton freshman. "I thought it was absolutely amazing," McCuskey said. Buxbaum said she agreed. "It surpassed all my expectations," she said. Chinese Student Association President Steve Lin, a College and Engineering senior, said the event was a big improvement over last year's fashion show. "I thought it was an excellent way to cap off the week by bringing everyone together," he added. Heritage Week Chairperson Charissa Huan said she was pleased with the diversity of students attending the show. "The whole effect was very successful," the Engineering and Wharton senior added. "It was obviously much larger and more professional [than last year's show]." College freshman and model Eddie Horng said ticket sales were not going well at first, but in the end, "we had a great turnout." Ly credited the success of the show to her assistants, models and the Pierre & Carlo makeup artists who volunteered their time and efforts. The show was not problem free, however. Technicians explained that there were slight difficulties with the equipment and stage. "The stage was smaller than we thought [it would be]," said College freshman and fashion show model Kawin Boonyapredee. "So we had to change some of the dance moves."