KINGSTON, R.I. – April 22, 2022 – Several University of Rhode Island students will present very different visions of the red dress at the 18th annual Spring Splash Fashion Show on Sunday, April 24. 

The students in the College of Business’ Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design will present their designs during the “Waves of Change” fashion show at 4:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom, 50 Lower College Road, on the Kingston Campus. 

“We chose ‘Waves of Change’ because of the changes we’ve seen since COVID,” said Associate Professor Susan Hannel. “We haven’t had an in-person Splash since 2019, so that was a change. And this year, we are back on campus. We had the show off campus three times but the 15 years before that we were always on campus.” 

Hannel is coordinating the event with Lecturer Elaine Grullon. Students in TMD 442 Fashion Promotion and independent study are also helping with the event. 

The students are creating the red dresses as part of their draping course using different methods and inspiration. One design is inspired by 1930s fashion, and another uses a Japanese shibori textile manipulation technique.

“This is a big event for students,” said Hannel. “Nothing beats the sense of accomplishment more than seeing the mental picture of a design on a model walking down the runway. Students learn so much. The process of going from an idea to creating an illustration to developing the patterns, sewing the fabric pieces together and perfecting the fit on a human body is a profound learning experience.”

Lillian Marie, of Northwood, New Hampshire, who is majoring in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design, is showing her fashions in Spring Splash for the first time.

“I am excited to share my pieces with everyone that attends,” said Marie. “I have created three 1930s evening gowns. My garments are not quite finished, but they are coming along great. 

“The experience so far has been stressful, but enjoyable because I am doing something that I love, which is designing and producing clothing,” she added. “Spring Splash has pushed me beyond the boundaries, but I have loved every second.” 

Spring Splash is not only a fashion show, but a fundraising and networking event to celebrate the Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design.

General admission tickets to the show are $10 for students and $25 for the public. VIP tickets for students are $50 and sold out, they include reserved seating and a complimentary beverage. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be available.

Gianna Cardarelli, a University of Rhode public relations major and intern in its Department of Marketing and Communications, wrote this press release.