Kent, OH – The nationally and internationally ranked Kent State University School of Fashion is thrilled to announce their acclaimed Annual Fashion Show will take place April 26-29, 2023 in the Kent Student Center Ballroom on the Kent Campus.
In 2023 we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Kent State University’s Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising. The 40th Anniversary Presenting Partner of the 2023 Kent State Fashion Show is renown American department store, Dillard’s Inc. Dillard’s is a long-time supporter of the School of Fashion and the Dillard family was inducted into the School’s Hall of Fame in 2019.
The Fashion Show “highlights the extraordinary talent and creativity of our fashion design and merchandising students,” says School of Fashion interim director Dr. Mourad Krifa, “we are delighted to celebrate their achievements with our community and all our partners.”
On view for all to see will be the exceptional work produced by the fashion design and fashion merchandising students. The Kent State Fashion Show is one of the many reasons why the School of Fashion is ranked in the top 10 in the United States and in the top 25 internationally year after year.
The Opening Night Fashion Show on Wed., April 26 begins at 7:00 p.m. and is open to the public. Tickets for the April 26 show are $35 per person. The Awards Fashion Show on Fri., April 28 begins at 7:00 p.m., is open to the public, and will be followed by the annual awards ceremony and a dessert reception. Tickets for the April 28 show are $75 per person. Admission to the VIP Fashion Show on the evening of Sat., April 29 is $250 per person. The pre-show reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with the Fashion Show taking the runway at 7:30 p.m.
To purchase tickets to the Fashion Show, please visit www.kent.edu/fashion/annual-fashion-show or call the Kent State Performing Arts Box Office at 330-672-2787. Tickets go on sale on April 3, 2023. The Performing Arts Box Office is open Mon. – Fri. from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The 2023 Fashion Show features 113 looks and 30 designers whose collections and single-submission garments were chosen by a panel of critics and jurors for inclusion in this year’s show. The collections and garments span all categories of fashion and include, evening wear, gender-neutral, size inclusive and more.
The annual Fashion Show, led by senior co-producers Mia Moumdjian and Nora Duchon, is the largest event undertaken by the School of Fashion each year. Faculty members Joanne Arnett, Dave Hahn, Kim Hahn, and Sue Yoder are co-directors of the show. The production includes participation by School of Fashion students who serve on committees in the areas of design, merchandising, modeling, public relations, and stage.
The collection review process begins early in the fall semester. A designer in residence works with our students throughout the process, the School of Fashion 2022-2023 Designer in Residence is William Taswell III. Industry mentors Alicia Hardesty and Andrea Sanderlin served as muslin critics last fall. Students’ work is viewed and critiqued again in the spring by industry critics. William Taswell III, served as a critic along with Geoffrey Henning and Marla Cotton. All three selected the award-winning designs and looks that will be presented in this year's Fashion Show.
The collections and single-submission garments included in the Fashion Show are eligible to win the following awards: 40th Anniversary Award, Best in Show Award, Celebration Award B.A., Celebration Award B.F.A., Construction Technique Award, Fashion Management Award, Knitwear Award, Innovation Award, Market Ready Award, Niche Market Award, Special Occasions Award, SUEDEsays Award, Student’s Choice Award, Sustainable Design Award, TechStyleLAB Award, and Universal Design Award.
The 2023 Fashion Show is the main event in the School of Fashion’s Fashion Week. This year’s Fashion Week runs April 21 – April 29 and includes:
- The CLO 3D Virtual Fashion Show on Fri., April 21 at 5 p.m. in the Design Innovation Hub
- The Opening Night Fashion Show on Wed., April 26 at 7 p.m. in the Kent State Student Center Ballroom, Kent Campus
- The Awards Fashion Show on Fri., April 28 at 7 p.m. in the Kent State Student Center Ballroom, Kent Campus
- The VIP Fashion Show on Sat., April 29 at 7 p.m. in the Kent State Student Center Ballroom, Kent Campus
To purchase tickets to the Kent State 2023 Fashion Show, please visit https://www.kent.edu/fashion/annual-fashion-show
For more information about the School of Fashion, please visit www.kent.edu/fashion
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