Kent State University Portfolio 2007 Features Oscar de la Renta 4/5/07

Kent State University’s School of Fashion Design and Merchandising will induct iconic fashion designer Oscar de la Renta into its Fashion Hall of Fame at this year’s Portfolio fashion show on April 20. Portfolio showcases the designs of Kent State’s junior and senior-level fashion students.

Portfolio 2007 features original collections of about 30 selected senior fashion design students, as well as junior menswear collections. Students will have the opportunity to spend time with de la Renta during the event, which will honor his life and work.

Inductees to the university’s Fashion Hall of Fame need to be prominent in fashion, but also related to Kent State and its students and programs, says Elizabeth A. Rhodes, director of the Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising.  Oscar de la Renta has contributed many garments to the Kent State Museum and students use these pieces for study. An exhibition of Oscar de la Renta’s work—“Oscar de la Renta: American Elegance” which includes 64 designs—is currently featured at the Kent State Museum through Sept. 2.

“The current retrospective exhibition gives students the chance to see Oscar de la Renta’s entire career—to see the evolution with fashion, as well as with the designer. It also allows students the opportunity to compare this designer with others,” Rhodes says. “We just exhibited the works of Ralph Rucci in the Kent State Museum. So now, students can see how two outstanding designers are similar and also how they differ in their approach to design.”

 “I am proud to have my designs on display in the Kent State Museum and to join the university’s Hall of Fame. It is wonderful to be a part of the education of young designers as they represent our industry’s future,” de la Renta says.

Oscar de la Renta left his native Dominican Republic at age 18 to study painting in Madrid.  There, he became interested in the world of design, which soon led to an apprenticeship with renowned couturier, Cristóbal Balenciaga.  He later left Spain to join the house of Lanvin in Paris.  In 1963, de la Renta came to New York to design the couture collection for Elizabeth Arden.  In 1965, he began his signature ready-to-wear label.  Today, Oscar de la Renta is recognized as one of America’s pre-eminent designers for exquisite design and feminine silhouettes.  The company currently produces, in addition to its signature women's ready-to-wear collection, a full line of women's accessories, fragrance, bridal, intimate apparel and home furnishings.

This year’s Portfolio show is dedicated to Helen W. Dix in appreciation of her support of the Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising and in honor of her 90^th birthday. Portfolio 2007 will also include the dedication of the Burton D. and Margaret C. Morgan Fashion Design Wing in Rockwell Hall.

The event includes two fashion shows and an open house event on April 20:

·  The matinee show will be held in the Kent Student Center Ballroom. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the program starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are $65.

·   The Kent State Fashion School and Museum will host an open house from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Rockwell Hall. Admission is free.

·   The dinner show will be held  in the Kent Student Center Ballroom, featuring Fashion Hall of Fame Fashion inductee Oscar de La Renta; the dedication of the Burton D. and Margaret C. Morgan Fashion Design Wing; and event dedication to Helen W. Dix. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the program starts at 7 p.m. Cocktail attire required. Tickets are $200.

To order tickets call 330-672-4645, Mon-Fri from noon to 2 p.m.

Visit www.fashionschool.kent.edu for more information about the event.

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