34 Standout Looks From the 2023 Kent State University Student Fashion Show

The next generation of fashion designers are just getting started.

Last week, Ohio's Kent State University hosted its annual fashion show, featuring collections from 30 student designers. In a triumphant return to the runway, every audience member got to experience their own Anna Wintour fantasy by sitting front row in the Kent State Ballroom and watching over 100 looks — from all-black evening gowns to oversized knitwear — walk down the runway.

Wendy Weng, a senior B.F.A. fashion design student, drew inspiration from the ocean — and her experience studying abroad in Florence, Italy — for her collection, titled "Reviving the Reef." Made using recyclable polyester and Repreve yarn, the looks comment on marine pollution. One tube top-and-slit-skirt ensemble has a white overlay mirroring images of sea creatures with plastic six-pack rings caught around their bodies. Another knitted dress has a white coral-esque top with pockets filled with cut-up plastic: "It's plastic pellets that are provided by Repreve," Weng explains, "so it shows the stages of recycling. And on the very top, the white part is the filaments, so they're like little pockets with the stages of recycling."

Weng was chosen to represent Kent State University in the Supima Design Competition, a national contest for emerging fashion designers. "I'm really honored to have this opportunity," she said.

At the end of the show, 15 awards were given out. Senior B.F.A. fashion design student Joseph Miglio won the Market Ready Award and Best in Show with a collection that carefully balances playfulness and seriousness through oversized silhouettes and muted colors. At the heart of his designs is a love for structure that began when he was younger and would visit antique stores, admiring the utility of military surplus garments.

"When I started the collection, part of my goal was to make something to the highest level I possibly could, like in terms of construction and materials," Miglio said. "I just wanted to make something that stands the test of time."

His collection uses a military-inspired palette of black, beige, green and white on oversized and organic silhouettes that are anything but muted: Models paraded the runway with oversized pants, baggy jackets, extended sleeves and flowing capes. Caps topped off each look.

See the stand-out looks from the Kent State University 2023 Annual Fashion Show below.

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