On the evening of March 4, the auditorium was filled with sounds of music and an atmosphere of excitement in anticipation of the “Around the World in 80 Minutes” cultural fashion show hosted by the East African Student Association (EASA). Nine cultural clubs and student associations presented their respective fashions at the event, from the Vietnamese Student Association to Arabic Club to Latin Revolution. A few teachers participated as well, donning the fashions of their cultures. Fashions from all around the globe were represented at the event. EASA Treasurer Rebecca Alemayehu shared on how the idea for the fashion show came about.

“Our president and our event coordinator came up with the idea last semester to host a fashion show,” Alemayehu said. “They thought it was a great idea to showcase different cultures. We wanted to show all the different fashions that exist within the various countries around the world.”

One after another, the respective clubs presented their fashion of choice, accompanied by brief descriptions of the unique clothing and music from that culture. The audience was able to truly see the diversity of the student body and the differences in traditional cultural clothing from different places around the world. Alemayehu discussed how the fashion show came together.

“We basically asked all of the language and cultural clubs [to participate],” Alemayehu said. “Most culture clubs that exist at this school usually jump at the chance to show their culture. People usually love to show their clothing and it’s always beautiful and different.”

All of the funds made from the fashion show benefited the International Rescue Committee, an organization dedicated to humanitarian aid and that often assists refugees. At the end of the fashion show, the audience was shown a video from the International Rescue Committee, which gave insight into the cause that funds from the fashion show were going towards.

As for the overall outcome of the fashion show, Alemayehu was pleased with the results. “I would say it was a success. I am grateful for the people who showed up,” Alemayehu said.