Melanie Introduction
Konnichi wa. Hello everyone, and welcome to our Multicultural Festival! My name is Melanie Dimaano, and I am the president of Notre Dame’s Japan Club. The mission of our club is to spread awareness of Japan’s iconic culture and traditions, in addition to strengthening the diversity of the Notre Dame. We do various activities such as making weekly slideshows, showing hilarious videos, and also sharing Japanese music. In a couple of weeks we will be having our very first Spotlight Week, so keep an eye out for us!
Next I would like to introduce the host of our Fashion Show, Sherie Tan, wearing a yukata. The yukata is a light, summer kimono. It is worn during summer festivals, where people go in the evenings to see the hanabi or fireworks, and in traditional Japanese inns, after using the hot springs. Now I will hand over the mic to your host.
*Melanie SWITCH with Sherie*

Sherie Introduction (Speak SLOWLY!)
Konnichi wa! (bow) Hello, everyone. My name is Sherie Tan, and I am your host for the Japan Club Fashion Show.
Today, we will not only see beautiful ladies in traditional Japanese wear, but introduce street fashion in modern day Japan as well.
So let’s fly to Tokyo, and see a couple of the traditional dressing of Japan.
Kimono by Lindsy
First, here comes Lindsy, wearing the national costume of Japan.
The Kimono!
Kimonos are wrapped around the body, & with the left side over the right. They also come in various designs, like little rabbits on kids’ kimonos and flower kimonos for women. Men kimonos have simpler designs like stripes or a plain color.
Today, kimonos are often worn by women and on special occasions.
Men wear their kimonos for weddings, and tea ceremonies.
Sayonara Lindsy!
“Happi” Coat by Melanie
Next, we have Melanie wearing the “Happi” coat.
The Happi is a Japanese straight-sleeved coat.
It originally was worn by house servants, with the crest of the family whom they serve on the back, but soon became a popular uniform among shop keepers and organizations.
In modern day Japan, you would usually find people dressed in their “Happi”s for special celebrations.
So be happy in your happi!
Now let’s jump into the time machine, and move on to modern day Japan.
Fall fashion by Stephanie
Oh! Are the leaves falling? I see Stephanie all dressed up for the season of Fall.
Now to keep warm, she is wearing a striped hooded sweatshirt along with a skirt, and we must not forget her lovable Tokidoki rain boots! Isn’t she just adorable?!
Now I know how to keep in style for the fall in modern-day Japan.
Punk/Visual Kei by Clair
Woah! Look who just came out of Harajuku!
Pick up your guitars, mic, and drum sticks for Clair in her Visual Kei and Punk fashion outfit.
Visual kei is a movement among Japanese musicians, who characterize themselves with eccentric looks, make up, unusual hair styles, and elaborate costumes. Many bands do this to set their image.
Clair, here, is wearing a T-shirt designed by the company that her favorite Visual Kei band, Antic Café endorses.
Rock on Clair, and Nyappy! That’s Antic Café’s motto.
Winter Fashion by Stephanie
Ooh. Do I see yuki or snow? Yes, it is winter!
To look kawaii—or cute—for chilly days, Japanese girls will wear a jacket and a cute top accompanied by a skirt with long stockings.
A nice pair of boots, covering the head with the hood, and a scarf aroud the neck complements the winter style.
So forget those sweatpants and look cute, girly, and keep warm all at once with this outfit!
School Girl by Matilde
Ring! Oh is that the alarm clock? Gotta get ready for school!
Here’s Matilde in her Japanese school uniform.
Doesn’t she look cute & excited with her Pikachu backpack?
In Japan, there are two types of uniforms: summer and winter.
For summer, the student’s shirts are short sleeve, and they may not have to wear their cardigans or school jackets unless it is a formal occasion.
In winter, the students are required to wear their school jackets and long-sleeve shirts.
The sailor uniform is the most common uniform for girls in Japanese schools, while the boys outfit resembles a military style uniform.
Oh no! The bell is about to ring. Don’t be late, Matilde-chan!
Cosplay~ Megan, Katrina, and Matilde
Next, we have cosplay. For cosplay, people will walk around in Harajuku or at anime conventions, dressing up as characters from animes, video games, J-doramas, and even their favorite music artist. So let’s look at the couple of cosplays that we have.
1. First, we have Megan dressed up as the Link from the popular video game series by Nintendo, The Legend of Zelda! Save the Princess, Link!
2. Next, we have Katrina as Kairi from my favorite video game series—Kingdom Hearts. Character accessories, like a necklace, bring out the heart of the character for cosplay. Go back to Destiny Islands, Kairi.
3. Finally, we have Matilde dressed up as Echizen Ryoma, The Prince of Tennis. This manga and anime have become so popular in Japan, that it even has its own series of musicals. Good luck on your game, Ryoma, and show off that Twister Serve!
Lolita by Stephanie
Now, we have Stephanie-chan again, dressed in our last fashion, Lolita. As you can see, Lolita fashion is influenced by Victorian children’s clothing as well as the costumes from 18th century France—the Rococo period.
Accessories such as dolls and teddy bears may be carried to emphasize the kodomo or childlike appearance.
Head over to Harajuku, and you’ll surely find this look.
End
Now, may I have all of the models come to the stage.
*wait for models to come to stage*
Thank you for traveling with us to Japan, and enjoy the rest of the show.
Arigatou gozaimasita. *everyone bows*
Sayonara!! Good bye, everyone!
*exit stage*