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Leading the alumni contingent were Matthew Williams and Lizzie Truitt, whose collections exemplified the fusion of automotive innovation and sartorial excellence. On the student side, juniors Harmonie Daniel-Umoh and Paige Darling, as well as senior Shana Mendelsohn, and faculty Linda Ohrn-McDaniel and Sue Hershberger Yoder brought their own unique perspectives to the 21 garments on display. 

The production was a true team effort, involving 12 students, including two co-producers, plus 21 models who brought the designs to life. Industry liaisons Hillary M. Stone and Millie Ott oversaw the event, highlighting the school’s commitment to providing students with real-world, industry-focused experiences.

“We are so excited for our continual partnership with businesses around Northeast Ohio,” said Stone, professor and industry liasion-intership director in the School of Fashion. “These opportunities allow our fashion design and merchandising students first-hand experience to work in fashion and [learn] what it takes to lead and work as team to produce such great programming.”

Partnerships are nothing new to Kent State’s School of Fashion.

Cleveland Ballet is hosting a special holiday event in collaboration with Kent State University’s School of Fashion and world-renowned designer Lilly Pulitzer called “Frosted Fashion and Fanciful Nutcracker Tea Party.” This festive fundraiser will take place from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the City Club in downtown Cleveland. All proceeds will support Cleveland Ballet’s community outreach programs, bringing the magic of dance to a broader audience.

Then, on Feb. 6, 2025, at the InterContinental Hotel Cleveland, the school will host an exclusive fashion show and fundraising event to support the vital work of the Ronald McDonald House. This event will feature cutting-edge designs created and produced by Kent State fashion students, faculty and alumni, alongside gourmet food, specialty cocktails, auctions and raffles. The evening promises to be a celebration of fashion, community and the power of collaboration to drive positive change.

All of this leads to the 2025 Annual Fashion Show, which will take place during Kent State Fashion Week on April 21-26, 2025.