Rakhi Panjabi knows this year’s hot fashion trends. Around the world, that is.

Models from India, Vietnam, Thailand, Uganda, Morocco and Mexico strutted their stuff on the catwalk during the second annual fashion show organized by Panjabi, an Indian graduate student at DU.

“I thought people would be intrigued,” said Panjabi, who has had previous fashion show experience. “It gets everyone together.”

That it did, as an estimated 200 spectators clapped and cheered to the flashy fashion music, compiled from different cultures, while modern and traditional clothing, jewelry and accessories were modeled.

The fashion show was a highlight of this year’s Festival of Nations Saturday. The festival, celebrating its 22nd year on campus, hosted 43 booths and approximately 1,000 visitors.

The festival is the largest student run event on campus, featuring food, games, and entertainment.

The booths included student organizations and departments, off campus organizations and restaurants.

“It’s a chance to celebrate cultural diversity in Denver and have fun,” said International Student Organization co-president Caitlin O’Connor.

Luisa Sanchez de Tagle, the other co-president, added, “It’s a great place to come and see what is available on and off campus. It gives organizations a chance to promote themselves, their culture and what they stand for.”

The festival also included African storytelling, Thai dancing, Navajo traditional songs, traditional and modern Indian dances, Middle East belly dancing and Jordan Oliver and the Flying Salsa Band.

Getting involved with the organizations on campus and promoting them at the Festival of Nations is a great opportunity to bond with others from their country.

“It makes us feel warm here, especially with others that speak Thai, because we are very far away from home,” said Chanpoj Domirongsuttipong from the Thai Student Association.

A number of international students wanted to introduce their cultures while becoming familiar with traditions of other nations.

Junior Naomi Yonesaka, from the Japanese Student Association, appreciates the diversity in the US that isn’t as common in Japan.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for people to learn from international students, an opportunity that students do not usually take advantage of,” said Margaret Thompson, director of the M.A. in International and Intercultural Communications program in the School of Communication.

“There is a pretty white upper-middle class atmosphere,” Thompson said. “It’s hard to be at DU and not be white.”

Sophomore Adam Salmen agreed. “I think it is really great to incorporate different cultures in such a white Anglo-Saxon school.”

This is the first year that Rachel Mukwaya, a DU alumna with the United Ugandan Association, participated in the festival.

“It really brings out my culture,” she said. “People ask, ‘Where is Uganda?’ and that is not okay. It is a very rich culture and a very beautiful country.”

For those who do not know, Uganda is located in eastern Africa, west of Kenya and south of Sudan.