’s 11th annual Rock the Runway student fashion competition, hosted by Kent Student Center Programming, will take place on Saturday, March 7, in the Kent Student Center Ballroom. The event gives amateur designers, not just fashion design or merchandising majors, a chance to display their creative talents on stage during a fun and energetic evening.
Seventeen student design teams will submit a line consisting of three pieces inspired by the theme “Boy Bands and Girl Groups.” The band Decadia will cover that genre’s biggest hits while models “rock the runway” and showcase the designers’ lines.
A panel of judges, including Mark Calderon, founding member of boy band Color Me Badd, will determine a winner based on line cohesiveness, craftsmanship, interpretation of the theme and general design. Other judges include Jason Brewer, who is a buyer for tween brand Justice, fashion stylist Lisa Smedley-Calderon, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum manager of fundraising events Anne Siegel.
The audience is invited to participate in the show by texting to vote who they feel should be the audience choice winner. The audience choice winner will receive a $500 gift card to Mood Fabrics.
The overall winner, as determined by the judges, will receive a $2,500 scholarship.
Marvin Logan, a Kent State senior majoring in Pan-African studies and executive director of the university’s Undergraduate Student Government, will emcee the show. The show will include performances from student groups Golden Reflections Dance Team and Fluidity Crew.
Event organizers are encouraging social media users to share photos and comments about the event by using #KentStateRTR15.
The show is free, however a ticket is required. Ticket distribution will take place on the first floor of the Kent Student Center on the following days:
• Monday, March 2, from noon to 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 3, from noon to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 4, at 1 p.m. (if necessary)
For more information about Kent State’s Rock the Runway, visit www.kent.edu/csi/rock-runway.
About Kent Student Center Programming
Kent Student Center Programming is a student-run department which plans more than 150 free events each year for students, faculty/staff and members of the Kent community. Events include Real Late Reels, Rock the Runway fashion show, Spring Break Bingo and various other daily activities. More than 30,000 students participate in its programs and events each year.