Kent State’s School of Fashion Marks 20 Years of New York City Fashion Program

Kent State University’s School of Fashion is commemorating 20 years of its New York City Fashion Program, which provides students with hands-on industry experience through internships, volunteer work at New York Fashion Week, and direct mentorship from professionals. Around 150 students participate each year, spending a semester at the program’s studio on 39th Street in the Garment Center during fall, spring, or summer terms. The university is hosting a two-day celebration in New York City to mark the milestone. On Thursday, the Portfolio Showcase and Reception will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Joyce Public House, featuring work from recent graduates and emerging alumni designers. Friday’s event, *An Evening of Style and Support*, is an exclusive dinner at Queensyard in Hudson Yards, focused on expanding the NYC Fashion Housing Fund to improve financial accessibility for students. Mourad Krifa, Ph.D., director of the School of Fashion, highlighted the program’s success, calling it a testament to the collaboration between faculty, alumni, industry partners, and students. The school, established in 1983 as the Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising, boasts a 93 percent job placement rate for graduates. The program is part of Kent State’s broader global education-away initiatives, which also include locations in Florence, Paris, and Hong Kong. Fern Mallis, president of her consulting firm and a recent inductee into the school’s Hall of Fame, will attend the celebration, reinforcing the program’s ties to industry leaders.