Middlesex Community College student models from rear, Seang Le, Y Choem and Linna Som, wear traditional Cambodian clothing at yesterday fashion show. SUN/BOB WHITAKERBy HILLARY CHABOT,
Sun Staff (Lowell, Mass., USA)
04/13/06
LOWELL -- Kuchna Chok, 19, stolled down the runway in a rose dress bedazzled with crystal beading on her left shoulder and ruffles on her right yesterday afternoon.
Before she stepped off the runway, she placed her hands together in prayer and bowed deeply. In Cambodia, Chok would wear the dress to go to temple or to a party.
In America, she's displaying Cambodian culture at the Cambodian Fashion show, part of Middlesex Community College's Cambodian Expressions Festival.
"These are traditional Cambodian outfits, and they are unique," said Y Choem, 20, another student at MCC. "This is a way for us to open the eyes of people who don't know what our culture is like and to pay respect to previous generations."
John Riem, 21, struts onto the runway wearing all white, topped by a silver lamé jacket splashed with thick gold stripes.
"This is what we would wear if I was getting married," Riem said. A heavy gold-colored Buddha hung from his neck. "When the man gets married, he becomes a king, at least for the day. Only the king would be able to wear this every day."
Van Chum, 25, who works at the MCC Dance Club, helped organize the fashion show.
"People don't see these outfits very often, so we want to bring in a little different flavor to the campus," Chum said.
Kevin Patton-Hock came all the way from Somerville with his two adopted Cambodian sons to see the fashion show.
"It's pretty interesting. It's nice to see a little bit of traditional Cambodian, and little bit of hip-hop Cambodian," Patton-Hock said as students danced after the runway performance.
Tooch Van, international student adviser, said the fashion show was a great success.
"It's a great way to celebrate out culture through our clothing," Van said.
Hillary Chabot's e-mail address is hchabot@lowellsun.com
Before she stepped off the runway, she placed her hands together in prayer and bowed deeply. In Cambodia, Chok would wear the dress to go to temple or to a party.
In America, she's displaying Cambodian culture at the Cambodian Fashion show, part of Middlesex Community College's Cambodian Expressions Festival.
"These are traditional Cambodian outfits, and they are unique," said Y Choem, 20, another student at MCC. "This is a way for us to open the eyes of people who don't know what our culture is like and to pay respect to previous generations."
John Riem, 21, struts onto the runway wearing all white, topped by a silver lamé jacket splashed with thick gold stripes.
"This is what we would wear if I was getting married," Riem said. A heavy gold-colored Buddha hung from his neck. "When the man gets married, he becomes a king, at least for the day. Only the king would be able to wear this every day."
Van Chum, 25, who works at the MCC Dance Club, helped organize the fashion show.
"People don't see these outfits very often, so we want to bring in a little different flavor to the campus," Chum said.
Kevin Patton-Hock came all the way from Somerville with his two adopted Cambodian sons to see the fashion show.
"It's pretty interesting. It's nice to see a little bit of traditional Cambodian, and little bit of hip-hop Cambodian," Patton-Hock said as students danced after the runway performance.
Tooch Van, international student adviser, said the fashion show was a great success.
"It's a great way to celebrate out culture through our clothing," Van said.
Hillary Chabot's e-mail address is hchabot@lowellsun.com
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