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 25-27, 2024 in the Kent Student Center Ballroom on the Kent Campus.
The 2024 Annual Fashion Show features 163 looks from 42 designers whose collections and single-submission garments were chosen by a panel of industry critics and jurors for inclusion in this year’s show. The collections and garments span all categories of fashion and include evening wear, market ready, universal design and more.
The Annual Fashion Show “is a great opportunity for our community to celebrate and witness first-hand the achievements of our fashion design and merchandising students,” says School of Fashion director Dr. Mourad Krifa. “Their extraordinary talent and creativity, along with the dedication of the faculty who nurture them, is what makes us one of the top fashion schools in the world.”
The annual Fashion Show, led by senior co-producers Daniella Byrnes and Mackenzie Karsten, is the largest event undertaken by the School of Fashion each year. Faculty members Joanne Arnett and Sue Yoder are faculty co-directors of the show. The production includes participation by School of Fashion students who serve on committees in design, merchandising, modeling, public relations and stage.
Starting with the collection review process in the fall semester, the designers in residence work alongside students to refine their garments and collections. The School of Fashion 2023-2024 designers in residence are Marla Cotten and Geoffrey Henning. Industry critics are also brought in to view and critique the students’ work. The 2024 B.F.A. critic is Alicia Hardesty.
The collections and single-submission garments included in the Fashion Show are eligible to win the following awards: Best in Show Award, Circular Economy Award, Construction Technique Award, Fashion Show Management Award, Innovation Award, Knitwear Award, Market Ready Award, Niche Market Award, Special Occasions Award, Student’s Choice Award, Sustainable Design Award, TechStyleLAB Award, and Universal Design Award.
On Saturday, April 27, the School of Fashion will host their Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony–previous inductees include Omar Salam, Kenneth Cole, Estee Lauder, Oscar de la Renta, Dana Buchman, Leonardo Ferragamo and Josie Natori.
The School of Fashion at Kent State University is pleased to announce British designer Dame Zandra Rhodes as the 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee.
"I am thrilled and honored to have been invited by Kent State's School of Fashion to be their 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee. It is a real privilege to become part of their fabulous community – I very much look forward to meeting all of the wonderful students and teachers," said Rhodes.
Rhodes will give an artist lecture at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 26 in Rockwell Hall to Kent State University students, industry and fashion enthusiasts. This lecture is free and open to the public.
The Opening Night Fashion Show on Thurs., April 25 begins at 7 p.m. and is open to Kent State University students on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Awards Night Fashion Show on Fri., April 26 begins at 7 p.m., is open to the public and will be followed by the annual awards ceremony and a dessert reception. Tickets for the April 26 show are $75 per person. Admission to the GALA Fashion Show and Hall of Fame Induction on the evening of Sat., April 27 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.
Fashion Week
The 2024 Fashion Show is the main event in the School of Fashion’s Fashion Week. This year’s Fashion Week runs April 21 – April 27 and includes:
“Fashion Reimagined” Screening on Sun., April 21 at 2 p.m. in Rockwell Hall
Virtual Fashion Show on Tues., April 23 at 5 p.m. in the DI Hub Blank Lab
The Schroth Series: Pauline St. Denis Lecture on Wed., April 24 at 10:30 a.m. in Rockwell Hall
Behind the Scenes Fashion Show on Thurs., April 25 at 10:30 a.m. in the KSU Student Center
Opening Night Annual Fashion Show on Thurs., April 25 at 7 p.m. in the KSU Student Center
School of Fashion Career Day on Fri., April 26 at 9 a.m. in Rockwell Hall
Hall of Fame Lecture on Fri., April 26 at 11 a.m. in Rockwell Hall
Fashion Merchandising Symposium on Fri., April 26 at 2 p.m. in Rockwell Hall
Awards Night Annual Fashion Show on Fri., April 26 at 7 p.m. in the KSU Student Center
School of Fashion Scholarship Ceremony on Sat., April 27 at 9 a.m. in Cartwright Hall
Gala Annual Fashion Show and Hall of Fame Induction on Sat., April 27. Reception at 6:30 p.m., Annual Fashion Show at 7:30 p.m. in the KSU Student Center
First Year Visuals Fashion Show on Mon., April 29 at 9 a.m. in Rockwell Hall
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 are on sale now! The Performing Arts Box Office is open Mon. – Fri. from 12p.m. – 5p.m.
Media Contacts:
Jen Crabtree, jcrabt13@kent.edu, 330-672-0116