Corning Community College held its fourth annual International Fashion Show on Thursday.

It's hosted by the International Foreign Language Club which has been around for about 10 years according to Club Advisor Sandy Turner-Vicisio. She says she is very proud of the students referring to them as a great bunch.

More than 30 people participated from students, faculty, and staff. About a dozen countries from five continents were represented.

CCC President Kate Douglas also joined the fun by sporting a traditional Scottish kilt because of her last name and family heritage.

"We try to be great champions of diversity, equity, and inclusion here at Corning Community College, and we find many, many ways to celebrate that," Douglas said. "This is one of the more fun and more visual ways to celebrate that diversity, and the students have a great time with it."

With a lively emcee, the show started with Asia. The first country was Vietnam.

The audience was given a small history lesson on each article of clothing and the role it plays in its respective culture.

The show has grown in size and variety every year with many international students using their very own clothing to model, but it wasn't necessary to wear clothes from their own origin. Tamijah Lawton-Stone, of African-American decent, strutted down the runway in Mexican clothing.

"I think it's really nice to try and represent them today," Lawton-Stone said.

Club Member Ethan Bratti is hoping this event sends the message that there is more to the world than our borders.

"I think that this show will really help exemplify that the world beyond the U.S. is just beautiful, and it's absolutely diverse and colorful," Bratti said.

Leena Trinh, the club's president, is hoping the show will make individuals more open-minded and be accepting of new people.

"I really want to bring light and happiness, and just share the love really," Trinh said.

The fashion show ended with nearly a feast afterwards with different types of food from many of the countries.Read more at:prom dress shops