By Zak Zeinert, Chief Photographer
Four hundred and fifty students packed into the Teague Special Events Center Friday night to watch friends and fellow students strut their stuff on the catwalk.
“Ajisai: Four Seasons of Fashion” was sponsored to benefit the fight against breast cancer and raise awareness while also showcasing Asian fashion.
The show included classic Asian dishes such as sushi, a performance by SHADES step group, musical performances and a display of traditional and modern Asian clothes.
Jonie Lee, communication liazon for the Office of Multicultural Enrichment, said the idea for the fashion show first originated last fall after a group of students saw “Exposed: A Fashion Story.”
“A lot of Americans were saying that we had cool clothes, and we just wanted to show it,” Lee said. Planning the event officially began last spring break, and rehearsals began earlier in October.
The Office of Multicultural Enrichment sponsored the event and dedicated the show to Beverly Rama, the wife of art professor Ronnie Rama. She recently was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Many of the team members were art students also, and she and her family are very dear to many of the international students,” Lee said.
Landon McCaig, sophomore undeclared major from Silver Springs, said the best part of the show was the fact it was something unusual.
“It was fun to do something different,” McCaig said. “I got a lot of compliments.”
McCaig was first approached by Caroline Conwell, a model coordinator, and asked if he would like to participate.
“I had never done anything like it before, but it seemed fun. I was a little nervous though,” McCaig said.
Lee said the show might take place again next year because of its success.
“It was a great success,” Lee said. “We’re even considering starting a fashion club on campus.”