Join the School of Fashion for the 2024 Merchandising Symposium: Beyond Clothing on Dec. 5, 2024.
2-5:30 p.m. | Rockwell Hall, First Floor Atrium
No longer driven by clothing alone, fashion brands have moved increasingly into a holistic approach to product assortment, marketing, and retail environment. Join the School of Fashion and our guest speakers as we explore what the business of fashion looks like in these critical spaces beyond clothing.
Afterwards, join us for a reception and the announcement of the Cotton, Inc. student competition winners. Student posters for the competition will be up for viewing throughout the afternoon.
RSVP for the Merchandising Symposium
Schedule
2-3:15 p.m.
Guest Speaker Talks
3:15-3:30 p.m.
Break
3:30-4 p.m.
Q&A Panel
4-5:30 p.m.
Reception (2nd floor Atrium)
Featured Panelists
Tim Bohlke
Tim Bohlke is the Director of Sustainability for Resource Label Group. Based out of Franklin, TN, they are a full-service label company providing custom label and flexible packaging design, printing, and RFID solutions for a wide range of industries, including beauty. He leads a sustainability champions team at over 30 locations in North America where he is responsible for all sustainability programs. Prior to Resource Label Group he worked for the Avery Dennison corporation as the Head of Brand Owner education and value chain relationships. He has worked for various CPG companies over his tenure to include companies such as The Dial Corporation and P&G. Tim also sits on the Association of Plastic recyclers committee for the Communications and Public Affairs committee and is the Co-chair for Sustainability at the label manufacturers institute (TLMI). He holds a BA in Business Administration and Marketing Communications from the University of Akron.
Stephanie Diamant
Stephanie Diamant is currently a Senior Project Manager at Bare Minerals, working on the global product launch team. Stephanie transferred to Kent State from The College for Creative Studies to pursue fashion design. During her time at Kent State, she studied away in Florence, New York and Hong Kong and interned with multiple fashion brands in the CFDA incubator. Upon graduation, she began working in sales at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store. Stephanie became one of the top sales managers in the country, achieving over 1.2M in sales her first year, and was granted the rare excellence award “The Million Dollar Book”. After 2 years in sales, Stephanie landed a corporate role in beauty, doing project management for design teams. Over the last 9 years, her work has included project management in both beauty and fashion, freelancing at marketing agencies in various roles, working as a designer on experiential production design teams, creating her own fine art painting and jewelry collections, and even doing visual merchandising at Chanel. Stephanie lived and worked in New York City for 8 years, before traveling the world while working remotely in her current role. She recently moved back to the Cleveland area, where she runs an airbnb business and continues to work remotely.
Heather B. Moore
Heather B. Moore has captured the lives of her collectors through meaningful fine jewelry since 1994. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Heather's collection beautifully documents the journey of individuals, allowing the wearer to cherish the moments that have shaped their lives. Seamlessly combining her talent for storytelling with her exceptional craftsmanship, her pieces are brought to life through the in-house steel shop. Heather's team of skilled artisans uses a freehand technique, meticulously handstamping each letter, number, and symbol onto the jewelry. This attention to detail ensures that every piece is unique and holds a special meaning for its wearer. For Heather B. Moore, storytelling through jewelry is not just a passing trend but a way to create one-of-a-kind heirlooms.
For inquiries, further information and/or questions: Rachel LoMonaco-Benzing (rlomonac@kent.edu)