Show features models who aren't too sexy for the catwalk

Asian Pacific American Heritage Week had its share of serious activities last week. This past weekend, however, the work was rewarded and the formalities tossed aside as about 20 lucky wannabe models had a chance to strike a pose on the runway. Asian Pacific American Heritage Week held its eighth annual fashion show, "Vis-a-Vis," on Friday in Houston Hall's Hall of Flags. The models, who included both male and female Penn students chosen by the event's coordinators, presented an array of traditional and Western clothing, contributed by designers and Penn students alike. The music was a combination of techno, rock and hip-hop. The T-shaped, floor-level runway, with seats on both sides, stretched for about 40 feet. "It is a celebration of Asian Pacific heritage and what they've accomplished," said College sophomore Olivia Chung, one of the executive coordinators of the event. One of the major components of the show was the cultural section in which cultural dresses -- including Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, South Asian and Vietnamese dresses -- were presented. The other section included the works of designers who contributed their clothes to the fashion show. Some of the designers who took part in the show were Vera Wang and Alan Tung. Each designer had his or her unique style and vision that translated into a fusion of art and culture on the catwalk. From wedding gowns to Korean dresses, the show brought together the different styles of the east. About 100 students from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds turned up at the show to experience the Asian Pacific culture. The atmosphere of audience members cheering on the models as they strutted down their runway added electricity to the two-hour-long show. The coordinators also included dance routines, performed by various campus groups, in the show. This livened up the show from purely being about fashion to something entertaining for everyone. "The dancing kept people awake and paying attention," audience member Hilary Sedghick said. "The place was nicely set up." The seating provided was inadequate for the number of people who showed up and many had to strain their necks to see what was on the runway, but overall, both the audience and the models appeared to be enjoying themselves.