Two School of Fashion graduate students are being recognized for their research. Hannah Johnson, M.F.I.S. 2023 and Camila Cordeiro Valle, M.F.I.S. 2023, have both been gaining recognition for their work and research in their graduate theses. Johnson and Valle both won the Best Presentation Award at the 2023 Graduate Research Symposium with Johnson winning the best presentation in the poster session, and Valle winning the best presentation in the oral session of the graduate research symposium.
Hannah Johnson
On April 6, 2023, Hannah Johnson presented her research titled "Size Inclusive and Body Positive? Key Discrepancies Between U.S. Female Body Measurements and Current Models Represented by Fashion Modeling Agencies." Her thesis research is advised by Dr. Catherine Leslie and Dr. Kim Hahn.
Abstract: "Images of ultra-thin models have negative consequences on individuals and continue to be a source of criticism for the fashion industry. To counter this effect and address a wider range of consumers, ideas of size inclusivity and body positivity have been gaining attention in support of well-being. The aim of this study was to discover what challenges and opportunities the modeling industry is facing to support these movements. This research observed public records of top modeling agencies for measurements of models designated as “straight” and “curve.” Measurements were matched to ASTM size standards to code models with associated clothing size based on waist circumference. Results identified frequencies of model’s sizes, exposing the lack of size representation in the “women” labeled models, with the average waist size being 24 inches, not even meeting the minimum size of 00. Furthermore, the “curve” labeled models do not fairly represent “curve,” or “plus-size,” with majority toward the smaller end of the size spectrum. Finally, comparing model size data to frequencies of anthropomorphic data published by the National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) revealed key discrepancies between models represented by top agencies and actual consumers, offering opportunity for improvement in the fashion industry."
About the Graduate Research Symposium
Every year, Kent State University Graduate College hosts a Graduate Research Symposium. Graduate students are given the opportunity to showcase their graduate work and research, with a chance to win awards. The annual Graduate Research Symposium has grown to be the largest annual research event on campus. The event itself features oral and poster presentations by graduate students from a wide variety of disciplines. Faculty and graduate students serve as judges for groups of presentations sharing similar themes or representing common areas of study.
Camila Cordeiro Valle
Camila Cordeiro Valle shared her thesis and offered a glimpse into fashion's future with an exhibition in the Design Innovation Hub’s MuseLab. The thesis titled "How Co-Creation Can Inform Research Through Practice When Using 3D Print Waste to Create Sustainable Garments," seeks to challenge industry standards pertaining to sustainability. Her thesis research is advised by Kendra Lapolla.
Abstract: "The study aims to discover how co-creation can inform research through practice and a fashion designer’s creative process when reusing 3D printer waste to create more sustainable garments. Co-creation methods can be used to increase the connection between the customers and the products. The researcher first explores prototyping with 3D printer waste through various levels of everyday creativity. Then hosted co-creative workshops for people to engage in their own creative process to help develop more sustainable fashion products while using the 3D printer waste. After the workshops, the researcher returned to exploring new samples and prototypes based on inspiration obtained during the workshops and reflected on how co-creation influenced the designer’s creative process. This cycle repeated as many times as needed. The research revealed four significant findings: (1) involving participants in the design process helps generating more ideas, (2) ideal participants are high-scoring in the Change Seeker Index (CSI), (3) working with 3D printer waste in fashion leads to an adaptive process, and (4) co-creation is an enjoyable activity for participants. The primary outcome of this research is a new concentric design framework for research through practice, in which the co-creative workshops serve as a tool for understanding the customer and a source of inspiration for the designer’s creative process in developing better sustainable products."
About the Design Innovation MuseLab
Our exhibition spaces offer Kent State students, staff, faculty, alumni, and affiliates the opportunity to publicly display their artwork, design, research, or fabrication projects that emphasize cross-disciplinary collaborations and reflect the mission of the Design Innovation Initiative within the DI HUB.
About Master of Fashion Industry Studies
The Master of Fashion Industry Studies degree in Fashion Industry Studies robustly addresses the highly interdisciplinary character of practice within fashion as an industry with a unique set of parameters that transverse many traditional academic boundaries.
Fashion Industry Studies is an initial master's level degree for the academic advancement of students to engage in learning and experiences applicable to the fashion industry. The degree program prepares professionals who intentionally use cross-disciplinary and applied research methods to address complex issues and provide impactful solutions for the fashion industry.