Cambodian students flaunted colourful yakuta – a type of kimono – yesterday at a fashion contest held as part of the Kizuna Festival 2014, a Japanese cultural celebration.

At the Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center (CJCC), 10 Japanese-language students competed to win the title of Mister and Miss Yukata, after the type of kimono they wore.

Hisae Arai, who was crowned Miss Japan in 2011, emceed the event. The male winner was Team Himawari of Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Centre, while judges crowned Team Tayama of Tayama Business School as the female winner.

Participants were judged on demeanour, makeup, hair, the educational value of the costume and faithfulness to tradition, according to Arai.

“Yakuta is the most casual kimono – it is easier to wear and more comfortable,” she added.

The contest was among the last events of the festival. Organised by the CJCC and the Japanese embassy, it aims to promote Japanese culture and bilateral relations in the Kingdom.