Despite lack of fashion superstar, seniors shine displaying final designs

Fashion design seniors worked for over a year on their lines and got to see them displayed before a full house on Friday. Young models show off designs in senior Rebecca Rucker’s line. CAITLIN PRARAT | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: Jason Hall

“The show must go on” took on a whole new meaning Friday in the Student Center Ballroom. Senior fashion students presented their design portfolios to an eager audience that was missing one important School of Fashion Design and Merchandising Hall of Fame inductee: Oscar de la Renta.

The world-famous designer was unable to attend his induction due to personal illness, said his stepdaughter, Eliza Reed Bolen, the creative director for Oscar de la Renta, Ltd. (de la Renta’s company) and son-in-law, Alex Bolen, chief executive of Oscar de la Renta Ltd.

The two accepted the award on de la Renta’s behalf.

“Oscar was very sorry he couldn’t be here,” Alex said.

The Bolens said the designer plans to come to Kent State sometime in June. They also said they enjoyed the lace exhibit currently on display at the fashion museum.

“It’s a shame you can’t find it (lace) anymore,” Eliza said. “We love lace, and there are few companies left that do it.”

The Bolens said de la Renta’s company wants to work something out with school that would allow students access to scrape fabrics from the company to use on projects.

“We would love to develop a closer relationship with the school,” Alex said.

The Elizabeth Rhodes, director of the School of Fashion Design and Merchandising, said she was excited that Alex and Eliza Bolen came to the show.

The fashion show is always a huge event and putting it together every year is a huge challenge, Rhodes said.

“It’s like having a bunch of daughters and planning a wedding every year,” she said.

Rhodes said, a lot of effort goes into each seniors’ fashion collection and that effort helps the whole show comes together in a rather glamorous way.

Andrew Danals, senior fashion design major, was in awe as his collection was shown on the runway at fashion show.

“I thought, ‘It’s actually really happening, it’s not just a picture anymore,'” he said.

Danals said that his time at Kent State was too short and added that upcoming seniors should not work during the school year. Seniors should also keep in touch with things that are outside of fashion, he said.

Kristin Holbert, senior fashion merchandising major, said she enjoyed the show.

“I was really impressed,” Holbert said. “It showed the great talent of the students.”

Contact fashion reporter Kristen Kotz at [email protected].