Fashion show features cultural dress

The Multicultural Fashion Show: In the Footsteps of the Sun" was held Saturday night at 7 p.m. in the Martha Street Culp Auditorium. The theme, "Rising in the East, Setting in the West," set the stage for a cultural show.
"This is a very diverse university and we are in Appalachia; sometimes we get homesick," said participant and emcee Conrad Cason Jr. "Representing our countries is very important."

With the auditorium dressed in colorful tapestries, ETSU students and members of the community brought forth an elegant display of the culture of 18 countries. The bulletin read, " A melting pot right here at home ..."Many of the participants have origins in the countries they personified. Many have lived, taught or plan to move to the specific destinations. Starting with East Asia and slowly moving into the Americas, participants began their journey.
Hitomi Kinuhata, Yumiko Owens, April Meredith, Tori Wedgeworth, David Meredith and Jymmi Davis represented Japan's diverse culture with common clothing.Cason represented the Philippines. Laura Byler and Oanh Le, wearing authentic dresses, represented China. Peter Vu, who represented the Vietnamese, wore a dark blue outfit usually reserved for specific ceremonies. Chau Nguyen, Le and Vy Nguyen also represented the Vietnamese.

Sanjay Bakshi, Bhavika Govan, Gaurav Bharti and Angela Bryant represented the fashion of India, while Neem Bhatt and Silaja Cheruvu both performed an Indian dance. Vu and Edward Talyshinskiy represented Pakistan.
The Mediterranean and Arabic cultures were illustrated by a dance performance done by Starla Kisser and Savita Fanta. Nadia Fanta, who wore a red dress and also performed a dance on stage, personified Spain.
Jarrett Bush, Nii Amartei Adjaidoo, Kaylin Chesney and Sequoia Humphreys represented the country of Ghana. Each wore hand-tailored, custom-made shirts.
Huda Hussain and Crystal Stidham to symbolize Ethiopia wore traditional dresses. Abi Feleke and Katrina Moulden also represented Ethiopia with formal outfits usually worn to weddings and special occasions.
Devin Logan, Felicia Eberhart, Ivorie Glass and Ashley Martin exhibited traditional outfits worn in Kenya. Edward Mikes, Voinyee Weatus and Karri Reeder symbolized Liberia. Reeder, Moulden and Chesney also performed an African dance.
Logan, Quintana Hughley, and Reeder wore colorful Nigerian embroidered dresses.
Scotland was also displayed with a dress worn by Lyndall Huffman. Sarah Randolph represented Venezuela by performing a dance while wearing a sleeveless white blouse and a blue skirt.
Omar Rosfro and Jessica Seagroves performed a "dance extravaganza" to shed light on Mexican culture. The ETSU bluegrass band performed "Cowboy's Sweetheart" with Kristen Whitt representing the United States. Tamara Lansden also performed a song that represented some of the hardest times for Americans.

"Love in Any Language," a song performed by Randolph and an ensemble, demonstrated the diverse cultures that are in the surrounding region and on campus and closed the program.
The office of Multicultural Affairs, International Students Organization and the Black Affairs Association sponsored the show.