By Heba Asmar
When we think of a fashion show, we typically think high heels, lots of make-up and an army of models that all look alike. But, the International Club’s fashion show on April 14 was far from couture fashion. It featured unfamiliar clothing from a variety of countries in different styles and vibrant colors. Students modeled outfits such as chung sum — a dress worn on Chinese New Year, and shalwars — the traditional flowing wide-leg pants worn by Indian women.
The principal goal is to raise money for international causes; this year’s fundraiser sought to aid orphans in Nepal.
By 7 p.m., the International Club had already raised $2,500. “After bidding we will have more money,” said International Club faculty advisor Tulsi Maharjan, who has organized the fashion show for the past five years.
Many of the traditional outfits can be bought locally. Danielle Bibber, one of the models who represented India, bought her outfit in Iselin. “You can buy shalwars and sarees at a place called Little India,” Bibber said. The loose pajama-like trousers are worn under a long tunic-like shirt, usually with detailed beading. “In America you wear the outfit to Indian parties” said Neelo Hilal.
Natalie Song wore a red silk Chinese dress detailed with silver sequins. “This outfit is mainly for the Chinese New Year,” she said. “I want to make Singapore known in the U.S. … It’s a small dot on the map and many don’t know it exists.”
Hilal wanted people to become more familiar with India and performed an Indian dance with a group of women that showed off the fashions. The flowing garments spun around as they moved, and scarves added drama and style.
The audience watched and applauded as the students walked the runway.
Andrea Herbig modeled a casual outfit worn in contemporary Ireland, long shorts that reached the knees and a plain T-shirt worn over another T-shirt. Her shoes were black, and laced up, showing her white shocks. Samira Zarandioon wore an outfit of Iran. It was a Persian esfanai dress with gold threading and a beaded hem. Sandra Oprica wore a traditional Romanian outfit, a white cotton top with a knee-length black and white skirt.
The Indian fashions modeled by Neelo Hilal and Anita Singh were to be worn for different occasions. Hilal’s outfit, a purple beaded shalwar khameez with a sheer purple scarf is worn for Indian festivals and weddings. Singh’s green and teal lehnga, a long flowing skirt with a matching top that reveals the midriff, is worn for all other formal occasions.
Two outfits were displayed for Japan as well, each signifying something different. Eugenia Sheppard wore a traditional Japanese kimono of soft pink silk that is typically worn in the spring or summer time because of the bright fresh colors. Danielle Bibber’s long-sleeved kimono is worn by single young women to communicate their marital status.
Korin Tangtrakul modeled a Thai outfit that combined a robe top from the north with free-flowing, wide-leg pants from the south.
Stephanie Oguekwe and Kewinde Odubote wore African fashions. Oquekwe wore a traditional outfit called an igbo comprised of a long black and white dress, a shawl and a head dress. Odubote’s outfit, from a Yoruba tribe in her native Nigeria, was similar. Her outfit consisted of a teal top with a matching skirt and gold embroidery as well as a gold head dress. The women also performed a Nigerian dance to music that seemed to be a cross of Reggae and Hip-Hop.
Danielle Bibber, Neelo Hilal, Andrea Herbig, Julia Simas, and Sandra Oprica performed an Indian dance to a song called “Crazy Kiyare,” which means “You Drive Me Crazy.” Korin Tangtrakul and Caitlin Timmons did a multicultural dance consisting of different traditional styles performed to ethnic music incorporated with a modern rock and roll sound. Julia Simas sang an upbeat Brazilian love song called “De Ladinho.”
The last act of night was a dance performed by Maharjan and his wife Ellen, a traditional dance to music from Nepal. The dance was fun and flirty, as it displayed a man pursing a woman.
The show not only presented multi-cultural music and fashion but a variety of ethnic foods as well, including Indian food and Japanese food. The International Club also provided ethnic cakes, cookies and breads.
When the evening was over, the International Club had raised $4,000 for the Nepalese orphans.
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