The Harvard Asian American Association (AAA) yesterday launched a campus-wide search for "distinctive looking" models to be showcased at an upcoming semi-formal dance and fashion show.

AAA officials said yesterday that the fashion show was designed to show Asians in a forum in which they are rarely seen.

"We want to publicize Asian talent within the modeling and designing field, a field in which Asians are under-represented," said AAA Vice President Philip H. Chang '94.

"There is such a dearth of Asian models that we want Asians to consider a field they have never considered before," said Haewon Hwang '95, AAA social chair and coordinator of the event.

Hwang said the criteria used to select models will include height, looks and AAA membership. Preference will be given to AAA members and those who are"non-stereotypical and distinctive looking," Hwangsaid.

In addition, women models must be at last 5'6"all and men 5'8" Hwang said.

Hwang said anyone in the Harvard community iswelcome to try out and that the model search isopen to non-Asian.

"The major objective is to show Asians, but ifyou look distinct and modelesque and have dancingand modeling talent, we certainly will makeexceptions," Hwang said.

She said members of AAA will serve as judges inthe competition.

Organizers of the event said they hope toincrease the unity felt among AAA members and toincrease the visibility of AAA on the Harvardcampus.

Hwang said she also hopes to dispel what shecalls a myth that Harvard undergraduates are notgood-looking.

"We want Harvard to be recognized for itsbeautiful people too," Hwang said.

Hwang said the apparel featured at the showwill be lent by both Asian and non-Asiandesigners, including Andy Chan of Boston andGeoffrey B. Small, a designer featured in Voguemagazine.

Mainly western-style clothes will be modeled,but traditional Asain clothing will appear in theshow's finale, Hwang said