11 Things You Need to Know About The Fashion School at Kent
We all know at this point that when you ask any out-of-stater at Kent State what they’re studying, it will most likely be fashion. Whether merchandising or design, Kent State’s Fashion School is one of the best in the country. You not only get a great education for a great price, but you have the opportunity to gain global experience and make connections to last a lifetime. Keep reading for 11 things you need to know about the Fashion School at Kent!
1. The Fashion School at Kent is ranked in the Top 50 in the U.S.
Now, I’m just being humble. Kent State is actually the fourth best Fashion school according to fashion-schools.org. Placed just below FIT, Parsons, and SCAD, Kent outshines Pratt University for its design program. It receives the ranking due to varying types of fashion classes and the many different types of degrees you can get.
https://www.instagram.com/p/83rX4FSMhw/?hl=en
2. You can get an MBA in Fashion Merchandising.
If you are wanting to get a business degree while still living out your dreams in the fashion industry, you can! You can get an MBA in ONLY FIVE YEARS!! You can save a bunch of money and get a fashion degree from a very notable program. If you’re looking at a more business management kind of career, this is the way to go. It’s a higher level degree for only one extra year of school.
3. There is an annual Fashion Show.
Not only is the fashion show super successful, but it is completely put on by students of the fashion school! Kent State integrates the Merchandising and Design students to create a flawless representation of the immense talent in the Fashion School. It also involves the community to make sure that student work is being seen. Often times, there are also industry professionals that come to critique the work.
4. It is home to the TechStyleLAB.
The TechStyleLAB is a way that students can create their own patterns for garments. You can utilize both your Illustrator and Photoshop skills to make an individualized fabric. It is both a printer and a laser cutter, which means garments can be used to overlay others. The machine also has a 3D bodyscanner and a pattern digitizer. Pretty much, Kent State Fashion School students have cutting-edge technology just upstairs.
5. The Fashion School at Kent has Study Abroad opportunities!
Just like at every university now-a-days, there are many study abroad opportunities to be used. However, not every school has their own campus in Florence, Italy! Kent State offers many study abroad opportunities in the fashion capitals of the world, such as Florence, Paris, Hong Kong, and London. There is not a Kent State campus in all of these countries, but you are most likely not the only one wanting to go to Paris or London. Take advantage of studying abroad while you can. College is the time to travel, so you may as well go out an explore!
6. There is a studio in New York City!
It is every Fashion major’s dream to work in the industry in New York City, and through the Kent State Program, you can! The studio is located in the middle of the Garment District, how fitting, and provides a semester term in fall, spring, or summer. Because students are in New York at some of the busiest times in the fashion industry, Kent State provides students with many opportunities to go to events, lectures, shows, and exhibits.
7. The Fashion School’s library has everything you will ever need.
Every time I go in, I feel like I have died and gone to heaven. Located very conveniently in Rockwell Hall, it has all of the information about fashion you will ever need to know. Other than having very interesting books to use for your research projects, it has a HUGE selection of Fashion Magazines. The magazines are from all over the world and include both women’s and men’s fashion magazines. Go in to research for that term paper you’ve been procrastinating on, or just to catch up on the latest Cosmo.
8. The Kent State Museum always displays fashion exhibits.
So, technically the museum is for the whole college of the arts, but it’s in Rockwell and always has Fashion exhibits. Not only can you browse around online to see the exhibits, but there is a whole online collection where you can browse pretty much anything. I just was on it looking for a classic Chanel suit, and there were 117 THINGS FOUND!!! The museum is a great resource for research, but also just to keep you occupied when bored.
9. There is a Fashion School store.
Located across from the University hotel and just up the hill from Black Squirrel Alley, the Fashion store features work by faculty, students, and alumni. There is always something you can find in there! There are also opportunities for the fashion students to learn how a boutique operates and how the market fluctuates. Honestly, getting a job at the fashion store is probably one of the best things you can do, because not only do you learn about business, but you are also very knowledgeable about the garments and other merchandise.
10. Every student is required to have an internship in order to graduate!
Another neat thing about the Fashion Program, is that every Merchandising student is required to have an internship in order to graduate! Internships are also recommended for the Design students as well. Having to complete an internship allows students to break into the industry and experience a job first-hand. Since the Fashion school has so many connections, your advisor will work with you to find the perfect internship to suit your interests!
11. The opportunity to network with notable alumni.
Alumni have gone on to compete on Project Runway, create their own brands, and immediately join the industry. What’s great about Kent State is the connections that is has. Because the Fashion school is so well known, companies know the Fashion School produces reliable, hardworking students. After the Fashion School, you can pretty much get a job anywhere across the U.S. But, don’t expect to be Miranda Priestly from day 1, you have to work your way up to make your fashion dreams come true.
What are some other things we should know abou The Fashion School at Kent? Comment below if you know for our student readers and share this article with friends!
Featured image source: Instagram.com/bailabambalina, clintzeagler.com
