Fashion’s next wave of talent doesn’t hail only from style capitals New York City and Los Angeles. Ohio’s Kent State University boasts one of the best fashion design programs in the country. And that talent was on full display at its 2026 student fashion show.
The annual event closed the school’s fashion week, a five-day lineup featuring digital presentations, a portfolio showcase, a behind-the-scenes experience for prospective students and a gala honoring this year’s Fashion School Hall of Fame inductee, Fern Mallis, founder of New York Fashion Week.
On May 1, the entirely student-produced runway show featured 171 looks by 52 graduating designers. Garments spanned knitwear to streetwear to menswear, with themes ranging from sustainability to cultural heritage.
“The Class of 2026 demonstrates an impressive commitment to both innovation and responsibility,” Dr. Mourad Krifa, director of the Kent State Fashion School, said in a press statement. “From accessible design to sustainability, their work reflects a deep awareness of how fashion can serve a broader purpose while maintaining a strong creative voice.”
Before the show came to end, 13 students received design awards: Talia Fiscante (Best in Show), Lauren Turner and Emily Cranston (Celebration), Arabella Hammerich (Construction Technique), Drea Favorito (Innovation), Adelynn Prushing (Knitwear), Sanghyun Park (Market Ready), Nic Willingham (Niche Market), Arabella Hammerich (Special Occasions), Eduarda Candeo (Student’s Choice), Catherine MacGregor (Sustainable Design), Ash Welch (TechStyle Lab) and Ethan Griffin (Universal Design). Additionally, the show’s senior co-producers Ryan Gibson and Ana Beatriz Fonseca took home the Fashion Management Awards.
Below, see standout looks from Kent State’s 2026 Runway Show.
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