Kent, OH 鈥 The nationally and internationally ranked 性福五月天 University School of Fashion is thrilled to announce its acclaimed Annual Fashion Show will take place April 30-May 2, in Crawford Hall on the Kent Campus.
The 2026 Annual Fashion Show features 173 looks by 48 designers chosen by a panel of industry critics and jurors for inclusion in the show. The collections and garments span all categories of fashion and include childrenswear, knitwear, streetwear, avant-garde looks and more.
鈥淚 am delighted to share the extraordinary talent of our senior fashion design students,鈥 said Mourad Krifa, Ph.D., Margaret Clark Morgan director of the 性福五月天 School of Fashion. 鈥淭he Annual Fashion Show is not just a showcase 鈥 it's a celebration of students鈥 dedication, creativity and innovation that will benefit the future of fashion.鈥
The Annual Fashion Show, led by senior co-producers Ryan Gibson and Ana Beatriz Fonseca Ribas Martins, 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 team includes School of Fashion students who skillfully spearhead the project in design, merchandising, modeling, public relations and fashion show production.
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 2025-2026 designers in residence are Lamont Holland, senior designer at UNTUCKit, and Lauren Grover, senior designer at Ralph Lauren. Industry critics are also brought in to view and critique the students鈥 work. The 2026 Bachelor of Fine Arts critic is Joslyn Fecik Allen, design director at OLIPHANT.
The collections and single-submission garments included in the fashion show are eligible to win the following awards: Best in Show Award, Celebration Award, Construction Technique Award, Fashion Show Management Award, Innovation Award, Knitwear Award, Market Ready Award, Niche Market Award, Special Occasions Award, Student鈥檚 Choice Award, Sustainable Design Award, TechStyleLAB Award and Universal Design Award.
On Saturday, May 2, the School of Fashion will host its Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The School of Fashion at 性福五月天 is pleased to announce Fern Mallis as the 2026 Hall of Fame Inductee.
Previous inductees include Donald J Pliner, Dame Zandra Rhodes, Omar Salam, Kenneth Cole, Estee Lauder, Oscar de la Renta, Dana Buchman, Leonardo Ferragamo and Josie Natori.
鈥淚 am so honored to be receiving this 鈥楬all of Fame鈥 honor from a university that has such an incredible fashion program and museum,鈥 Mallis said. 鈥淚鈥檝e worked with many alums through the years. It is always special to be acknowledged for my work at this point in my life and career and to share what I learned along the way and give back to the next generation. They are the future of the fashion industry, and we can learn so much from them.鈥
Mallis will give a lecture at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 1, in Rockwell Hall to 性福五月天 students, industry and fashion enthusiasts. This lecture is free and open to the public.
The Opening Night Fashion Show on Thursday, April 30, begins at 7 p.m. and is open to 性福五月天 students. The Awards Night Fashion Show on Friday, May 1, begins at 7 p.m., is open to the public and will be followed by the annual awards ceremony. Tickets for the May 1 show are $75 per person. Admission to the 2026 Fashion Hall of Fame Gala on the evening of Saturday, May 2, are $250 per person. The event begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. with the fashion show taking the runway at 7:30 p.m.
FASHION WEEK
The 2026 Fashion Show is the main event in the School of Fashion鈥檚 Fashion Week. This year鈥檚 Fashion Week runs April 27-May 2 and includes:
- School of Fashion First Year Visuals Fashion Show on Mon., April 27 at 9 a.m. in Rockwell Hall
- Knit Fashion Show on Tues., April 28 at 1 p.m. in Rockwell Hall
- 3D Virtual Fashion Show on Tues., April 28 at 5 p.m. in the Design Innovation Hub, Blank Lab
- Study Away Fashion Show on Wed., April 29 at 2:30 p.m. in CAED Concourse / Armstrong Gallery
- Featuring the Work of Adam Nathaniel Furman, guest artist of the Thomas Schroth Visiting Artist Series.
- Behind the Scenes Fashion Show on Thurs., April 30 at 11 a.m. in Crawford Hall
- Portfolio Showcase on Thurs., April 30 at 1 p.m. in the Rockwell Hall Library
- Opening Night Annual Fashion Show & School of Fashion Marketplace on Thurs., April 30 at 7 p.m. in Crawford Hall
- Hall of Fame Lecture on Fri., May 1 at 11 a.m. in Rockwell Hall
- Awards Night Annual Fashion Show & School of Fashion Marketplace on Fri., May 1 at 7 p.m. in Crawford Hall
- 2026 Fashion Hall of Fame Gala on Sat., May 2 at 6:30 p.m. in Crawford Hall
性福五月天 the School of Fashion
性福五月天 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. 性福五月天鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.