After two years of virtual fashion shows, Kent State’s School of Fashion jumped back into an in-person Annual Fashion Show with a full auditorium all three nights. The team of over 150 people put together the show in about six weeks after they got approval to hold it in Rockwell Hall. The team consisted of 30 designers, about 60 models and even more people backstage and on the production team. 

“The auditorium was basically filled,” said senior-co producer Joanna Georges. “I was really surprised, but honestly, I think people were expecting and waiting to see this in-person show.” 

Georges is a senior fashion merchandising and entrepreneurship dual major, and this is her second year working on the Annual Fashion Show. Georges and the rest of the team worked hard to put the show on without a hitch, and the result was flawless.

There were three guest judges at the show: Laura Laurens, a self-trained designer whose brand launched in Paris; Juan Jose Saenz-Ferreyros, a designer who released brands in Peru; and Paul Carroll, a New York designer. These judges awarded titles including best in show, which was awarded to senior fashion design major Jayda Breiding. 

“I wanted to make fashion that helped somebody in some way,” Breiding, who had seven pieces in the show, said. “So, I wanted to do something that helped or assisted individuals with nonverbal autism.” 

Breiding worked hard on her collection to cater to people with autism. She made sure the seams were sewn on the outside to avoid overstimulation, her fabrics were soft and there were no tight waistbands. She also designed a sweatshirt that tightens to stimulate a hug. Her inspiration was the lack of autism-friendly clothing lines. 

“I want to see that more in the fashion industry,” Breiding said. “So, I decided to make clothes adaptable and accessible for everybody.”

Breiding was shocked and honored to receive best in show, and she loved seeing everyone’s looks walk the runway. 

There were many highlights of the fashion show, including a sold-out auditorium, intricate designs such as a model with a television over her head, a green ruffled dress with a deep neckline and many floral prints. The most rewarding part to many designers and team members was seeing the final products walk down the runway. 

“Watching it all come together and just seeing what we worked on and seeing it in its final form was honestly the best part,” Georges said.

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