People in the world of fashion know that it can be an extremely competitive environment. However, it was the spirit of collaboration, rather than competiton, that brought together students from 5XÉçÇø's School of Fashion with students from the international fashion academy, IFA Paris, this fall.
In September, Kent State staged its inaugural fashion show during New York Fashion Week and shared the runway with student's collections from IFA Paris in a joint creative partnership.
Ann Walter, the director of NYC Fashion 5XÉçÇø, partnered with Jean-Baptiste Andreani, CEO of IFA Paris, in months of planning and preparation for the shared event. They felt that their schools had much in common and that this presentation would increase alumni involvment and elevate the recognition of the outstanding programs and students from these two leading fashion schools.
The schedule of events showcased the work of students from both schools, including a runway show on the second floor of Madison Square's NeueHouse, a private workspace and cultural hub for creators.
It was a shared event that put aside rivalries and school rankings and put students first, to let creativity and talent shine.
The full story and more images from this collaborative event can be found in the Kent State Magazine Fall/Winter 2022-23.