2025 Annual Fashion Show

The 2025 Annual Fashion Show took place during our KSU Fashion Week April 21-26. The show featured 161 looks from 41 designers whose collections and single-submission garments were chosen by a panel of industry critics and jurors for inclusion in this year’s show. The collections and garments span all categories of fashion and include evening wear, market ready, universal design and more. The Annual Fashion Show was part of KSU Fashion Week 2025

See the 2025 Fashion Show Digital Program

2025 Student Award Sponsors - Thank You! Congratulations to the Winners!

BEST IN SHOW sponsored by Anonymous: Caroline Hill, B.F.A. Collection

Given to a winning collection exemplifying the work of the designer’s vision, inspiration, and reflection that the designer understands and achieves the design process.

Seven models pose in an all white room, wearing beige, green, and grey colored clothing.

STUDENTS CHOICE AWARD sponsored by Stephanie Smith: Blaire McKnight, B.F.A. Collection
The School of Fashion students determine their design choice celebrating their peer’s creative abilities.

Seven models stand in an all white room wearing a mix of red and white clothing.

CELEBRATION AWARD sponsored by Linda L. McDonald, Ph.D.: Gabrielle Wheeler, B.F.A. Collection

Represents a collection that celebrates multi-cultural and accessibility in fashion promoting people, culture, and belonging.

Five models stand in an all white room wearing mostly black clothing.

CELEBRATION AWARD sponsored by Linda L. McDonald, Ph.D.: Shana Mendelsohn, B.F.A. Collection

Represents a collection that celebrates muti-cultural and accessibility in fashion promoting people, culture, and belonging.

Six models stand in an all white room wearing loose fitting, multicolored clothing.

CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE AWARD sponsored by Stephanie Smith: Jamie Swanson, B.A. Collection

Collection or design utilizes an advanced technique resulting in an innovated solution.

Four models stand in an all white room, wearing all black clothing.

FASHION SHOW MANAGEMENT AWARD sponsored by Katy and Gary Brahler and Knuth's: Senior Co-Producers - Amelia Gardner and Brett Ashley Richter

Awarded to two outstanding Annual Fashion Show production team students.

INNOVATION AWARD sponsored by Anonymous: Reagan Holtzman, B.F.A. Collection

A collection or design which develops from an innovative concept.

Seven models stand in an all white room, wearing a mix of multicolor clothing, most of which is denim.

KNITWEAR AWARD sponsored by Mirta Gonzalez Prior and Tom Prior: Myles Parent, B.F.A. Collection

A collection or design which is knitted by hand or industrial knitting machine to which is innovative and marketable.

Seven models stand in an all white room wearing a mix of green, yellow, brown and white clothing.

MARKET READY AWARD sponsored by Janet and David Dix: Mandalyn Maglione, B.F.A. Collection

Collection or design ready for introduction into saleable market.

Seven models pose in an all white room wearing mostly black colored clothing.

NICHE MARKET AWARD sponsored by Janet and David Dix: Mikhail Shakov, B.F.A. Collection

Collection or design geared towards a specialized market.

Six models stand in an all white room wearing mostly black clothing. One person in the center is wearing white.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS AWARD sponsored by Regina Eisenberg: Emma Cook, B.A. Collection

Collection or design for special occasions.

A model stands in an all white room wearing a floral print dress.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AWARD sponsored by Anonymous: Rachel Stauffer, B.F.A. Collection

Marketable collection or design representing one or more of the following: Zero Waste, Design for Disassembly Modular Design Upcycling

Six models stand in an all white room wearing multicolored clothing.

TECHSTYLE LAB AWARD sponsored by Ken Robinson: Allison Atkins, B.F.A. Collection

Given to an innovative collection or design utilizing digitalization and technology housed in the TechStyleLAB to express the designer’s vision.

Six models stand in an all white room wearing multicolor clothing.

UNIVERSAL DESIGN AWARD sponsored by Anonymous: Branch Zimmerman, B.F.A. Collection

Awarded to a collection or design that it can be worn, understood, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, gender identity, or ability.

Six models stand in an all white room, wearing a mix of red, black, green, and beige colored clothing.

CAFARO AWARD sponsored by Anonymous: 1st place – Blaire McKnight, B.F.A. Collection; 2nd place – Kaitlyn Graham, B.A. Collection

Three models stand in an all white room wearing light color colored dresses with sparkles. — Kaitlyn Graham, B.A. Collection

2025 Fashion Week in the Media

Kent State School of Fashion honors iconic American shoe designer Donald J Pliner

About the Annual Fashion Show

Our Annual Fashion Show highlights the outstanding talent of Kent State’s design and merchandising students.

Students submit work (everything from athletic wear to evening gowns) to a panel of industry experts, who decide which collections and looks will be presented on the runway. The Annual Fashion Show is a key part of the senior year experience. Our fashion students plan and organize the April event as an opportunity to showcase and celebrate their achievements.

2025 Annual Fashion Show