Kent, OH – The nationally and internationally ranked 鶹ý School of Fashion is thrilled to announce its acclaimed Annual Fashion Show will take place April 24-26, in Crawford Hall on the Kent Campus.
The 2025 Annual Fashion Show features 161 looks from 41 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.
“I am continually inspired by the talent and artistry our students bring to the runway,” said Mourad Krifa, Ph.D., director of the Kent State School of Fashion. “The Annual Fashion Show is not just a showcase — it's a celebration of their dedication, creativity and contribution to the future of fashion.”
The Annual Fashion Show, led by senior co-producers Amelia Gardner and Brett Ashley Richter, 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 management.
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 2024-2025 designers in residence are Senior Designer Jocelyn Allen-Fecik, Manel Garcia Espejo and Michael Ward, co-founders of The Salting. Industry critics are also brought in to view and critique the students’ work. The 2025 Bachelor of Fine Arts critics are Phantashia Johnson, technical designer at Lane Bryant, and Heike Jarick of Heike-NY.
The collections and single-submission garments included in the fashion show are eligible to win the following awards: Best in Show Award, Cafaro Foundation Fashion Design Award, Celebration 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 26, the School of Fashion will host its Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Previous inductees include Dame Zandra Rhodes, Omar Salam, Kenneth Cole, Estee Lauder, Oscar de la Renta, Dana Buchman, Leonardo Ferragamo and Josie Natori.
The School of Fashion at Kent State is pleased to announce Donald J Pliner as the 2025 Hall of Fame Inductee.
“I am honored and awestruck to be included into the 鶹ý Fashion Hall of Fame,” Pliner said. “Simply awestruck!”
Pliner will give an artist lecture at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 25, in Rockwell Hall to Kent State students, industry and fashion enthusiasts. This lecture is free and open to the public.
The Opening Night Fashion Show on Thursday, April 24, begins at 7 p.m. and is open to Kent State students on a first-come, first-served basis. The Awards Night Fashion Show on Friday, April 25, 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 25 show are $75 per person. Admission to the 2025 Annual Fashion Show and Hall of Fame Gala on the evening of Saturday, April 26, are $250 per person. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with the fashion show taking the runway at 7:30 p.m.
FASHION WEEK
The 2025 Fashion Show is the main event in the School of Fashion’s Fashion Week. This year’s Fashion Week runs April 21-26 and includes:
- School of Fashion First Year Visuals Fashion Show on Mon., April 21 at 9 a.m. in Rockwell Hall
- #KSUWornStories Exhibit on Mon., April 21 at 3:45 p.m. in Rockwell Hall
- 3D Virtual Fashion Show on Tues., April 22 at 5 p.m. in the Design InnovationI Hub, Blank Lab
- Study Away Fashion Show on Wed., April 23 at 4 p.m. in Rockwell Hall
- Behind the Scenes Fashion Show on Thurs., April 24 at 11 a.m. in Crawford Hall
- Opening Night Annual Fashion Show on Thurs., April 24 at 7 p.m. in Crawford Hall
- Hall of Fame Lecture on Fri., April 25 at 10:30 a.m. in Rockwell Hall
- Awards Night Annual Fashion Show on Fri., April 25 at 7 p.m. in Crawford Hall
- School of Fashion Scholarship Ceremony on Sat., April 26 at 9 a.m. in the University Auditorium in Cartwright Hall
- 2025 Fashion Hall of Fame Gala on Sat., April 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Crawford Hall
There will also be a Fashion Marketplace across campus throughout Fashion Week.
About the School of Fashion
Kent State is in the top 25 fashion programs in the world and No. 6 in the United States. Additionally, the graduate program for fashion is No. 5 in the United States. Kent State’s School of Fashion boasts three undergraduate degrees in fashion design and merchandising, and a variety of programs for all students to grow creatively. Located in Kent, Ohio, the school offers several education-away programs, including New York City; Florence, Italy; Paris, France; and Hong Kong, China. From the school’s location in the Garment District, students studying in New York have a unique opportunity to work with industry leaders, explore the marketplace and gain experience with internships.