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Special Collections and Archives

KSU, School of Fashion Design and Merchandising, Papers, 1981-[ongoing]

Kent State University, School of Fashion Design and Merchandising papers

Date Range: 1981-2011

Finding Aid: Prepared by Edith Serkownek, June 1, 2006; added to March 2012
14 boxes (5 record storage boxes, 2 half sized record storage boxes, 2 document cases, 3 flat boxes and 2 tube boxes); 8.5 cubic feet

Location: 10th floor

Historical Note

The creation of the Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising (School of Fashion) in 1983 resulted from the efforts of two important KSU donors. Jerry Silverman (1910-1984), a lawyer and businessman, and Shannon Rodgers (1911-1996), a designer, were founders and partners in Jerry Silverman, Inc., one of the fashion industry's most successful New York women's ready-to-wear firms of the second half of the 20th century. Privately Rodgers, a native Ohioan, had also amassed one of the most important collections of historic, designer and ethnic costume in the United States. With the donation of their $5 million collection of costumes and decorative arts to Kent State University in the early 1980s, the University agreed to create both the KSU Museum to house and provide educational access to the collection, and the School of Fashion in order to serve as a center for fashion design and merchandising education in the Midwest.

The School of Fashion officially opened in July of 1983 with 350 students and six full and part-time faculty. Classes were held in Nixson and Franklin Halls, while Rockwell Hall, the school's designated home, was undergoing extensive renovations. Once completed, Rockwell Hall was dedicated in 1990 with a celebration called "Bellissima." The first student fashion show was held in 1985 and the senior design students' Portfolio show is now held annually, providing students with the opportunity to show their work. It is accompanied by the School of Fashion's annual Hall of Fame awards which began in 1989. The directors of the school have been Gladys Toulis (1983-1985), Elizabeth K. Davic (interim 1985-1986), June F. Mohler (1986-1993), Elizabeth Rhodes (1994-2009) and J.R. Campbell (2009 to present).

Sources

  • Garmon, Margaret. "School going strong after 20 years: Fashion program has solid beginning as jewel in the field." Record-Courier. (2003, April 25)

  • Johanson, Amelia. "Fashion school at Kent State is 20 years old and throwing itself a party." The Plain Dealer. (2003, April 23)

Scope and Content

This collection contains the archival records of KSU's Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising (the Fashion School), dating from the early 1980s through 2011. Material in this collection includes subject files; event, building, and scholarship photographs; annual senior fashion Portfolio show and the Hall of Fame materials; newspaper clippings; records of Phase II of the architectural renovation of Rockwell Hall; and other documents pertaining to the history of the Fashion School.

Series 1: Subject Files

Box 1

Folders include Fashion School publications, promotional material, programs, initiatives and documents related to Rockwell Hall renovations. Files are organized by alphabetically by subject.

Folder -- Content

  1. Alumni material: Circa 1993-2009
  2. Alumni Association: Publication: Fashionline: Fall 1997
  3. Brochures: Miscellaneous dates
  4. Campbell, J.R. (director): Letter to fashion community: August 31, 2009
  5. Faculty presentations and publications: 2009
  6. Fashion Student Organizations (FSO): Publicity: 1984-2008
  7. Fashion Student Organizations (FSO): Publications: Image [1986-1988] and Fluid: circa 1997
  8. Fashionomics, Guest lecture series: 1998
  9. Friends programs and promotions (includes Fashion School and KSU Museum): Undated
  10. Holiday cards (includes Fashion School and KSU Museum): Undated
  11. June F. Mohler Fashion Library: Annual reports, proposal for branch library, budgets, timeline, memos, floor plans, news clippings: 1987-1997
  12. Modista Minority Fashion Group: Undated
  13. Mohler, June F. (director): Director's Review Report: April, 1989
  14. New York Studio: 2008
  15. PR folders: Miscellaneous dates
  16. PR folders: Miscellaneous dates
  17. Press releases: 1986-1995
  18. Programs and curriculum guides: Miscellaneous dates
  19. Rhodes, Elizabeth (director): Business cards: [2008]
  20. Rockwell Hall: Auditorium seat dedications: Undated
  21. Rockwell Hall renovations: 1984-1986
  22. Rockwell Hall renovations: 1987-1988
  23. Rockwell Hall renovations: 1989-1991
  24. Rockwell Hall renovations: Interview for Architectural Services report van Kijk, Johnson & Partners, Architects: October 9, 1986
  25. Rockwell Hall renovations: Interview for Architectural Services report van Kijk, Johnson & Partners, Architects: October 9, 1986
  26. Rockwell Hall renovations: Course data worksheets: Circa 1987
  27. Scholarship material: Undated
  28. Silverman-Rodgers Project: Fundraising folders including A Gift to the Nation: Early 1980s
  29. Stationary, folders and cards: Undated
  30. Toulis, Gladys (first director): CV : Undated
  31. Miscellaneous publications including forums, workshops and job postings: 1985-2009

Subseries 2A: Photographs: Events and Subjects

Box 2

Photographs: School of Fashion events, programs, guests, students, faculty and facilities. Photographs are organized chronologically followed by photographs of individuals and groups of people such as alumni, teachers, and students which are organized alphabetically by name or subject.

Folder -- Contents

  1. Antonio Lopez, fashion illustrator, presenting at KSU as part of the "Connections Series": Slides: April 9, 1984
  2. Fashion Student Organization (FSO) students in Homecoming parade costumes: Photographs: [October 1986]
  3. "Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles, Cal.": Slides: February, 1987
  4. Paris draping workshop(?): Photographs: March 5, 1987
  5. Raymond Waites, visiting designer, presenting at School of Fashion: Photographs and contact sheets: April 1987
  6. Reception for the Northeast Ohio Indian community: Photographs: September 1987
  7. Sal Cesarani, fashion designer, visit to KSU: Press photograph, biography and news clippings: November 1987
  8. Joyce Dixon and Charlotte Sommers of Dior visiting KSU Museum and School of Fashion: Photographs and contact sheets: December 1987
  9. Student Advisory Committee: Photographs and contact sheet: December 1987
  10. Henry Grethel, designer: Autographed photograph: Circa 1987
  11. CAD class slides and projects: Photographs, slides and negatives: January 1988
  12. Richman Brothers, "Suit of the future" competition winner and runner up: Photographs: February 1988
  13. New Cleveland Woman "Fashion 500" winners: Photographs and slides: March 1988
  14. Fashion Group Awards, KSU students attending with June Mohler: Photographs and program: April 19, 1988
  15. Cutty Sark Menswear Awards, 2nd place, Jenni R. Harris: Certificate, letter and slide: 1988
  16. Richmond Brothers, "Suit of the Future" competition runner up: February 14, 1989
  17. Unidentified event with Eleanor Lambert, Elizabeth Rhodes and June Molher: Photographs: February 1989
  18. Rockwell Hall renovation: Photographs: September, 1989
  19. High tea for Shannon Rodgers: Photographs: October 6, 1989
  20. "Departures '89" travel wardrobe contest student winners: Photographs: November 1989
  21. Rockwell Hall renovations: Photographs and negatives: March 1990
  22. Fashion Student Organization event, "A Masked Ball,": Photographs and contact sheets: April 18 and 24, 1990
  23. Andrew Burnstine and Christian Francis Roth press photographs (both associated with Martha's Inc.) for "Opening and Fashionomics": Photographs: April 1990
  24. Ohio Advisory Council Committee preparing for School of Fashion opening: Photographs: April 1990
  25. Ohio Advisory Council Meeting: Photographs: Spring 1990
  26. Rockwell Hall by Myers Association Architects: Slides: June 1990
  27. "Fashionomics opening day": Photographs: [September] 1990
  28. Bob Mackie presentation and Mackie fashion show: Photographs: November 1990
  29. Unidentified hat competition: Photographs: March 27, 1992
  30. Dedication of Ebel clock in front of School of Fashion: Contact sheets, program, memos, newspaper clippings, Ebel history: November 12, 1992
  31. Unidentified embroidery project/exhibit: Photographs: January 7, 1994
  32. Unidentified JC Penney event: Photographs: January 29, 1994
  33. Honors Day: Photographs: February 2, 1994
  34. Alumni Association welcome luncheon with Elizabeth Rhodes: Photograph: April 19, 1995
  35. Charles Kleibacker, visiting professor, teaching: Photographs and slides: May 1995
  36. Steven Stipleman, Fashion illustrator, presentation: Photographs, contact sheets and slides: [1996]
  37. Tad Boetcher's Senior Design work photographed by Kathie Lentz with Elizabeth Rhodes: January 6, 1996 and undated
  38. Publicity photographs and text for School of Fashion website: March 19 and 20, 1996
  39. Pauline Trigere, designer, teaching: Photographs and negatives: September 30, 1996
  40. Rockwell Hall interiors and exteriors: Slides: 1996 and undated
  41. School of Fashion Design critique, students, faculty and interiors: September 2 and 3, 1997
  42. Fashion photograph by Kathie Lentz of Mathew Terry's student work selected for exhibit in Columbus: Photographs: 1997
  43. School of Fashion publicity photographs used in Morgan Foundation Annual Report: Photographs: 1997
  44. Simplicity Pattern Competition winner, Liz Arenas: Photographs: March 22, 1998
  45. CFDA portfolios: Photographs and negatives: April 9, 1998
  46. Honors Day: Photographs: April 18, 1998
  47. Rockwell Hall interiors: Photographs: October 1998
  48. "The Business of Fashion": Promotional slideshows for the School of Fashion and miscellaneous headings for slideshows: Slides: Undated
  49. "Freshman Fashion Visual Projects": Slides: Undated
  50. JC Penny, "Global Intimates" collection, Fashion Design and Merchandising: Photographs: Undated
  51. JC Penny project, Fashion Design and Merchandising: Photographs: Undated
  52. Mask making project: Photographs: [no date]
  53. NAMSB Award being given to student Todd Hoover: Photograph: Undated
  54. "Sears project--Dept. slideshow," student projects: Slides: Undated
  55. "Senior Drawing", student work: Slides: Undated
  56. "Senior Drawing", student work: Slides: Undated
  57. "SFDM at KSU": Events and social activities at fashion school: Slides: Undated
  58. [Unidentified] luncheon with Shannon Rodgers, faculty and students: Photographs: Undated
  59. [Unidentified] student projects: Undated

Material organized alphabetically by name or subject.

  1. Alumni "On the job": Photographs: Miscellaneous dates
  2. Faculty and staff: Photographs and slides: Miscellaneous dates
  3. Faculty teaching: Photographs and slides: Miscellaneous dates
  4. June F. Mohler Fashion Library: Photographs: 1997, 1998 and undated
  5. Mohler, June F.: Photographs and slides: Undated
  6. Rhodes, Elizabeth: Photographs and slides: Undated
  7. Rockwell Hall interiors and exteriors: Photographs: Undated
  8. Rodgers, Shannon: Slides and contact sheets: Undated
  9. Rodgers, Shannon sketches and advertisements for Jerry Silverman: Reprint slides: Originals 1940s-1970s
  10. Students: Photographs and slides: Miscellaneous dates
  11. Study tours and field trips: Photographs and slides: Undated
  12. Special events: Reprinted B&W slides of many important early events in the school's history including Rodgers and Silverman, KSU Museum collections, ribbon cutting and early Hall of Fame winners: Miscellaneous dates, 1980s-1990s
  13. Unidentified: Photographs, negatives and slides: Miscellaneous dates and undated

Subseries 2B: Photographs: Students

Box 3

Photographs: Photographs of fashion design seniors and scholarship and award winners organized chronologically.

Folder -- Contents

  1. Fashion design students: Circa 1987
  2. Scholarship and award winners: Matted photographs: 1987
  3. Scholarship and award winners: 1988
  4. Fashion design seniors: 1989
  5. Scholarship and award winners: 1989
  6. Fashion design seniors: 1990
  7. Scholarship and award winners: 1990
  8. Fashion design seniors: 1991
  9. Scholarship and award winners: 1991
  10. Scholarship and award winners: 1992
  11. Fashion design senior: 1993
  12. Scholarship and award winners: 1993
  13. Scholarship and award winners: 1994
  14. Fashion design seniors and/or scholarship and award winners: Undated

Series 1: Subject files

Subseries 2C: Photographs: Portfolio and Hall of Fame

Box 4

Senior portfolio (annual fashion show) and Hall of Fame awards: Photographs, programs and invitations are organized chronologically.

Folder -- Content

  1. Portfolio programs and invitations: 1985
  2. Portfolio programs and invitations: 1987
  3. Portfolio and exhibit in the KSU Museum: Photographs and slide: 1987
  4. Portfolio and exhibit in the KSU Museum: Photographs: 1987
  5. Portfolio and exhibit in the KSU Museum: Photographs: 1987
  6. Portfolio and exhibit in the KSU Museum: Photographs: 1987
  7. Portfolio invitation: 1988
  8. Portfolio and Shannon Rodgers Certificate of Appreciation: Photographs and slides: 1988
  9. Portfolio programs and invitations: 1989
  10. Hall of Fame awards and Portfolio photographs: 1989
  11. Hall of Fame awards and Portfolio slides: 1989
  12. Bellissima! Opening of Fashion School: Programs and invitations: 1990
  13. Portfolio programs and invitations: 1990
  14. Hall of Fame awards: Recipient biographies, articles and photographs: 1990
  15. Bellissima! School of Fashion opening, Portfolio and Hall of Fame: Photographs and contact sheets: 1990
  16. Hall of Fame awards: Recipient biographies, articles, photographs and slides: 1991
  17. Portfolio photographs and slides: 1990
  18. Portfolio programs and invitations: 1991
  19. Hall of Fame photographs and slides: 1991
  20. Portfolio slides: 1991
  21. Portfolio program: 1992
  22. Portfolio programs and invitations: 1993
  23. Hall of Fame awards and Portfolio: Contact sheets: 1995
  24. Hall of Fame awards: Photographs: 1996
  25. Portfolio photographs: 1996
  26. Portfolio programs: 1997
  27. Hall of Fame awards: Photograph: 1997
  28. Portfolio photographs: 1997
  29. Portfolio program: 1998
  30. Hall of Fame awards: Includes JC Penny donation: Photographs, contact sheets and negatives: 1998
  31. Portfolio contact sheets: 1998
  32. Portfolio programs: 1999
  33. Portfolio photographs: 1999
  34. Portfolio programs: 2000
  35. Portfolio programs and invitations: 2001
  36. Portfolio programs and invitations: 2002
  37. Hall of Fame awards and Portfolio photograph and contact sheets: 2002
  38. Portfolio programs and invitations: 2003
  39. Portfolio programs and invitations: 2004
  40. Portfolio programs and invitations: 2005
  41. Portfolio programs and invitations: 2006
  42. Portfolio programs and invitations: 2007
  43. Portfolio programs: 2008
  44. Portfolio and Hall of Fame programs: 2011
  45. Unidentified Portfolio photographs and slides: Undated

Series 3: Scrapbooks

Box 5

Scrapbooks: School of Fashion newspaper clipping and publicity scrapbooks. Original newspaper clippings were mounted on black acidic paper. Clippings were photocopied on acid free paper and placed in folders.

Folder -- Contents

  1. School of Fashion scrapbook #1: 1983-1985
  2. School of Fashion scrapbook #2: 1984-1986
  3. School of Fashion scrapbook #3: 1986-1988
  4. School of Fashion scrapbook #3: 1986-1988
  5. School of Fashion scrapbook #4: 1987-1989
  6. School of Fashion scrapbook #4: 1987-1989
  7. School of Fashion scrapbook #4: 1988-1989
  8. School of Fashion: June F. Mohler Fashion Library: Fashion Library History: Undated

Series 4: Newspaper clippings

Box 6

Newspaper and periodical clippings (photocopied) organized chronologically.

Folder -- Contents

  1. 1983
  2. 1984
  3. 1985
  4. 1986
  5. 1987
  6. 1988
  7. 1989
  8. 1990
  9. 1991
  10. 1992
  11. 1993
  12. 1994
  13. 1995
  14. 1996
  15. 1997
  16. 1998
  17. 1999
  18. 2000
  19. 2003
  20. 2004
  21. 2005
  22. 2006
  23. 2008-2009
  24. 2010-2011
  25. Undated

Series 4: Newspaper clippings

Box 7: Flat box

Complete newspaper sections and original clippings organized chronologically.

Folder -- Contents

  1. 1981-1985
  2. 1988-1989
  3. 1990-1991
  4. 1992-1993
  5. 1994-1995
  6. 1997-1998
  7. 2002-2003
  8. 2004-2005
  9. 2006-2010

Subseries 5A: Audio-visual materials: Event

Box 8

School of Fashion audio/visual materials organized chronologically.

Folder -- Content

  1. Silverman/Rodgers Fashion Show "Masterpieces of American Design" Part I : 3/4" tape: June 1981
  2. Silverman/Rodgers Fashion Show "Masterpieces of American Design" Part II : 3/4" tape: June 1981
  3. Silverman/Rodgers Fashion Show "Masterpieces of American Design": VHS: June 1981
  4. Prime Talk, Canton Art Institute and PM Magazine Dazzle Party: Prime Talk Interview with Rodgers and Silverman regarding KSU Museum and Nightingales and Dragons exhibit at Canton Art Institute [1984]; Still shots of Nightingales and Dragons exhibit at the Canton Art Institute: [February, 1984]; and PM Magazine segment covering Dazzle! party: 1982 (2 copies)
  5. Dazzle!: Opening in Style A. AM Cleveland Segment B. Full Fashion Presentation: VHS: September 27, 1985 (3 copies)
  6. AM Cleveland: Dazzle!: 29 minutes: VHS: 1985
  7. Talking with...Dottie Fox (Space Cable) Dazzle!: Includes history of Silverman-Rodgers project, interview with Robert Broadbent and fashion show: 45 minutes: VHS September 27, 1985
  8. News clips from New Center 8, PM Magazine and Morning Exchange: Including information on Rodgers' Cleveland background and a Rodgers' tour of the KSU Museum: VHS: 1985
  9. Dior Documentary by Stanley Garfinkel: 30 minutes: VHS: September 1986
  10. AM Cleveland: Interview with June Mohler: 1986
  11. AM Cleveland: Design students from Spring fashion show and Girl Scout uniform competition finalist: June 23, 1987
  12. AM Cleveland: Rodgers, Mohler and KSU seniors presenting designs: VHS: June 9, 1988
  13. Interview: Madeline Coe: VHS and DVD copy: December 5, 1998
  14. Dazzle: Kent in Fashion (Kent/Higbees Merge): Includes a tour of KSU Museum, footage from Dazzle! [1985] and brief interviews with Rodgers, KSU President Michael Schwartz, Professor Betty Davic and Higbees President, Robert Broadbent: 43 minutes: VHS: September, 1989 (3 copies)
  15. Jean Patou Workshop et al: VHS and DVD copy: September 1989
  16. Departures '89, A design competition sponsored by the Association of College Professors of Textiles and Clothing with Dr. Rhodes: VHS and DVD copy: 1989
  17. Haute Goodwill: KSU fashion show: VHS: November 6, 1991
  18. Steven Stipelman: On Sketching: VHS: 1991
  19. Steven Stipelman: On Painting: VHS: 1991
  20. Rags: One Hundred Years of the Apparel Industry in Northeast Ohio by Stanley Garfinkel and Dr. Audrey A. Braun: 3/4" tape: Undated
  21. Rags: One Hundred Years of the Apparel Industry in Northeast Ohio by Stanley Garfinkel and Dr. Audrey A. Braun: 28 minutes: VHS: Undated

Subseries 5A: Audio-visual materials: Event

Box 9

School of Fashion audio/visual materials organized chronologically.

Folder -- Content

  1. EMU The Changing Fashions of Retailing: VHS and DVD copy: July 10, 1992
  2. Morning Exchange: Promotion of Haute Goodwill, KSU fashion show (Incomplete episode): November 3, 1992
  3. Shannon Rodgers Interview: VHS: August 17, 1993
  4. Shannon Rodgers Interview, "Time-coded Window Dubs of Tapes 1 through 4": VHS: August 17, 1993
  5. Shannon Rodgers Interview, Part 5-8: VHS: Circa 1993
  6. Shannon Rodgers Interview, Part 9-12: VHS: Circa 1993
  7. Kent State University: The Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising: Promotional video: VHS: 199[?] (2 copies)
  8. Kent State Fashion Package, PAX 23 News: VHS: November 29, 2002
  9. Fashion School to Italy: VHS: February 2003
  10. The Fashion School: Promotional video: DVD: 2008
  11. Dr. Elizabeth Rhodes Tribute: DVD: 2009
  12. Promotional video for Georgia Collection Creative Textiles Program by Dr. Elizabeth Rhodes: VHS: Undated
  13. Steven Stipelman Rough Cut: VHS: Undated

Subseries 5B: Audio-visual materials: Portfolio and Hall of Fame

Box 10

Senior fashion Portfolio and Hall of Fame awards audio/video materials. Organized chronologically.

Folder -- Contents

  1. Portfolio: DVD: 1988
  2. Portfolio Blueprints (Preview only): VHS: 1989
  3. Portfolio Blueprints: VHS and DVD: 1989
  4. Portfolio Opening Night: VHS and DVD: 45 minutes: 1990
  5. Portfolio: DVD: 1991
  6. Portfolio Collections: VHS and DVD: 1992
  7. Portfolio !nnovation: VHS and DVD: 1993
  8. Portfolio Maximum Exposure: VHS and DVD: 1994
  9. Hall of Fame Awards: VHS: 1994
  10. Portfolio Spotlight: VHS and DVD: 1995
  11. Portfolio Profiles: VHS and DVD: 1996
  12. KSU Fashion Awards: VHS: 1996
  13. Portfolio: Vision: VHS and DVD: 1997
  14. Portfolio: Behind the Seams: VHS and DVD: 1998
  15. Portfolio: DVD: 1999
  16. Portfolio: VHS and DVD: 2000
  17. Portfolio: VHS and DVD: 2001
  18. Portfolio: Saturation: VHS and DVD: 2002
  19. Porfolio: Platinum: VHS and DVD: 2003

Series 6: Architectural renovations

Box 11

Folder -- Contents

  1. Program Requirements for Phase II Renovations, Rockwell Hall: Planning document: April 14, 1987
  2. Architectural Hardware Schedule: Planning document: Circa 1988
  3. Rockwell Hall Renovation Blueprints: Miscellaneous dates

Series 6: Architectural renovations

Box 12: Tube

Folder -- Contents

  1. Rockwell Hall Renovation, Phase II, HVAC systems, 11 blueprints: March 23, 1988

Series 7: Oversized material

Box 13

Folder -- Contents

  1. Porfolio '89 Blueprints: Tablecards or poster: 1989
  2. Haute Goodwill fashion show: Program: 1991 and poster, 1992
  3. Rockwell Hall: Six matted photographs: Undated
  4. Scholarship and award winners: Large matted photographs: Undated

Series 7: Oversized material

Box 14: Tube

  1. School of Fashion information poster with tear-off postcards/Antonio Lopez illustration on back: Circa 1987
  2. Bellissima! School of Fashion dedication poster (3 copies): April 1990
  3. School of Fashion Portfolio poster (4 copies): 2001