The Kent State University Museum invites the university community and the public to Breaking Fashion Barriers on March 26, a special evening exploring the lasting cultural impact of Katharine Hepburn, one of the most influential figures in American film and fashion history.
Presented in partnership with the statewide initiative Ohio Goes to the Movies and Kent State’s Center for Student Involvement – Civic and Community Engagement, the program underscores Kent State’s commitment to excellence and engagement through exemplary interdisciplinary experiences for students, faculty and the broader public. The evening will feature a reception, panel discussion and a free screening of “The Philadelphia Story,” a 1940 film that helped define Hepburn’s iconic screen presence and fashion legacy.
“Katharine Hepburn’s legacy is deeply tied to Ohio through the Kent State University Museum’s collection,” said Molly Kreuzman, director of Ohio Goes to the Movies. “We’re thrilled to partner with the museum to bring “The Philadelphia Story,” written by Ohio-born screenwriter Donald Ogden Stewart, into conversation with the museum’s collection, offering audiences an experience that honors cinematic history while engaging contemporary cultural dialogue.”
The Kent State University Museum is proud to steward the largest collection of Hepburn’s clothing and costumes from her career in film, television and theater, gifted by her estate in 2008. As home to one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of historic fashion, the museum serves as a global center for the preservation, study and public interpretation of these iconic garments. An installation featuring costumes Hepburn wore for the stage version of “The Philadelphia Story” will be on display in the museum lobby throughout the month of March in conjunction with the program.
“Breaking Fashion Barriers exemplifies the museum’s role as a living classroom and cultural anchor, connecting fashion and film with student learning and civic engagement on campus and across the state,” said Sarah Spinner, director of the Kent State University Museum. “Through programs like this, we expand access to our world-class collection and create meaningful public experiences that reflect the university’s commitment to excellence and engagement.”
The panel discussion will feature faculty, museum professionals and students, highlighting Kent State’s collaborative and student-centered approach to experiential learning.
“Fashion is more than aesthetic; it is a visual manifesto of one’s principles, a truth Katharine Hepburn lived both on and off the screen,” said Craig Berger, associate director of Kent State’s Center for Student Involvement. “Our panel aims to bridge Hepburn’s historic influence with contemporary activism, demonstrating how anyone can tap into their personal values, civic skills and community engagement to strengthen our social fabric.”
Sonia Karkare, program coordinator for the Center for Student Involvement, added, “This partnership treats fashion not simply as clothing, but as a living expression of culture, belonging and public life – at Kent State and within the broader Kent community.”
The event will take place on March 26 with a reception in the museum lobby from 4:15-5 p.m., a panel discussion in the museum’s Murphy Auditorium from 5-6 p.m., and a film screening of “The Philadelphia Story” in Murphy Auditorium from 6-8 p.m. The event is free and open to the university community and the public. Free parking is available in the Rockwell Hall R-1 lot.
RSVPs are encouraged at https://connect.kent.edu/register/breaking-fashion-barriers-2026
About the Kent State University Museum
The Kent State University Museum is home to one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of historic fashion and textiles, with more than 30,000 objects spanning from the 18th century to the present. As a teaching museum, it serves as a living classroom for Kent State students across disciplines while engaging regional, national and international audiences through exhibitions, research and public programs. The museum is committed to fostering interdisciplinary learning, engagement and experiential opportunities that connect history, culture and contemporary life. For more information about the Kent State University Museum, visit www.kent.edu/museum.
About Kent State University’s Center for Student Involvement
Kent State University’s Center for Student Involvement fosters student learning, leadership development and civic engagement through co-curricular experiences that complement academic life. The center supports student organizations, campus programs and community partnerships that encourage meaningful involvement, social responsibility and a sense of belonging. Through initiatives focused on civic and community engagement, the Center for Student Involvement empowers students to connect their interests and values with impactful experiences on campus and beyond. For more information about Kent State’s Center for Student Involvement, visit www.kent.edu/csi.
About Ohio Goes to the Movies
Ohio Goes to the Movies is a statewide initiative dedicated to celebrating and preserving Ohio’s rich film heritage. Through screenings, educational programs and community partnerships, the organization highlights films made in Ohio and the state’s ongoing impact on the motion picture industry. Ohio Goes to the Movies connects audiences with cinema history while supporting film education, cultural tourism and community-based engagement across the state.
Image: Katharine Hepburn, wedding dress worn in the stage production of “The Philadelphia Story,” pink silk chiffon and crepe de chine, Valentina, 1939. Kent State University Museum Collection, Gift of the Estate of Katharine Hepburn.
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Kent State University Media Contact: Jen Crabtree, jcrabt13@kent.edu
Museum Director: Sarah Spinner, Ph.D., J.D., sspinner@kent.edu