It was Peter Leypold's first time wearing makeup.
He slipped into a black, long-sleeved turtleneck and dip-dyed jeans. He put on a pair of blotchy sneakers and stepped onto the runway. As he reached the end, camera flashes made his hair shine in the dark room.
"It was so energizing," he said.
Leypold was one of 20 models who strutted down the runway wearing designs by Thai Nguyen, Dahae E. Kim and Ann Hoang at the Asian Kaleidoscope Month Fashion Show on Thursday night. MODE: Asian Americans Designing Fashion, held at the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom, attracted about 250 people.
Leypold, 21, a psychology junior, said he had always been curious about fashion. He said the fashion show highlighted the versatile contributions that Asian-Americans make to society.
"It shows that Asians aren't just your typical doctors and engineers and that they are able to make it in fields like art and fashion," he said.
Television personality Allyn Hoang introduced the individual clothing lines. The models then hit the runway, one-by-one sporting designs ranging from evening gowns to discolored blazers.
Chieu Ho, fashion show director, said the goal of the show was to highlight the different aspects of the Asian culture.
"We wanted to increase awareness and provide insight as to how Asians are shaping the fashion world," she said.
The event cost Asian Kaleidoscope Month about $6,000 and was sponsored by various organizations and businesses, including Asian American Student Union, Student Government and Avant Garde Salon.
Avant Garde Salon provided free makeup and hair services for the models as part of its contribution to the show.
For more information on Asian Kaleidoscope Month and its upcoming events, visit ufakmonth.com.
