School of Fashion

Kent State University’s School of Fashion held its first show ever during New York Fashion Week this fall with a creative partnership. Kent State University invited International Fashion Academy (IFA) Paris and International Migration Organization (IMO) to join them with the goal of bringing awareness to the world’s most prestigious fashion schools and the impact of global cultures.

The show took place at the penthouse of Madison Square’s NeueHouse on September 9, 2022. Through collaboration, Kent State University, IFA and IMO’s No Nation Fashion Brand made a statement with Balkan

The Kent State University Museum's new Pathfinders exhibit brings together recent work of six creatives, all alumni of Kent State University's School of Fashion, whom are defining their own pathways amidst the everchanging industry of fashion, social media, and design. 

Diane Petrella, dean of the College of the Arts is pleased to announce that associate professor Mourad Krifa, Ph.D. will serve as the Interim Director of the School of Fashion Design and Merchandising beginning May 15, 2022. 

"Dr. Krifa has a long record of excellence in teaching, research and academic leadership in the field of textiles and apparel, with research that encompasses diverse activities and interests spanning the larger part of the textiles and apparel value chain," said Dean Petrella. "Professor Krifa has served as the Research Coordinator fo

This year, seniors in the School of Fashion's Fashion Design program had the chance to compete for a spot in our Portfolio Showcase Digital Magazine 2022.

The platform Creatively judged the seniors' work digitally and selected the top portfolios from those that submitted work.

Designed by creatives and for creatives, Creatively is an active space for creators to showcase their work, and for companies and brands to discover amazing talent.

The work of the 32 graduating seniors chosen to be showcased in our Portfolio Showcase

On May 1, 2022, the School of Fashion premiered the 2022 Fashion Show Film on YouTube.

The film features designs by 30 School of Fashion students, all of whom also displayed their designs in the in-person Annual Fashion Show that took place April 28-30 in Rockwell Hall.

Kent, OH – The School of Fashion at Kent State University is thrilled to announce that Michelle Burton, Ph.D. will join the faculty as assistant professor beginning in Fall 2022. 

"We are pleased to announce that Dr. Michelle Burton will join the School of Fashion as an Assistant Professor," said associate school director Noël Palomo-Lovinski. "Dr. Burton's focus of research is sustainability and consumer behavior. She has taught at University of North Texas, Southern New Hampshire University, and consulted at TOMS, the ethical shoe compan

Kent State University’s School of Fashion once again ranks as one of the best fashion programs in the United States according to Fashion-Schools.org. 

Kent State University’s School of Fashion has once again been ranked as one of the nation’s best programs in fashion merchandising according to the educational online learning platform, Study.com. 

Two seniors from the Kent State University School of Fashion were announced as Fashion Scholarship Fund 2021 scholarship recipients. Fashion design seniors Jordan Bigelow and Mattney Yates used their creativity and knowledge to develop case studies focused on current world issues.

Kent State University School of Fashion alumna Isabella Diorio’s senior thesis collection “F.E.T.” (Female Engagement Team), took home multiple awards at the 2020 International Design Awards (IDA) virtual event in January.  Read more about the awards!

Fashion in the 90s was dominated by simple styles, but full of patterns and colors. And you can see and buy those styles mixed with contemporary flair today thanks to Kent State University alumnus, Adam Forrester, who recently designed pieces for the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s” 30th-anniversary collection.