Thirty design students participated in a fundraiser fashion show, Sew Your Love for Haiti, coordinated by Kent State’s Fashion Student Organization and Collegefashionista.com Friday and Saturday.

In Rockwell Hall, on the night of each show, a minimum $1 was collected at the door for UNICEF in Haiti.

Morgan McMurrin, president of FSO and senior fashion merchandising major, said she came up with the name “Sew Your Love for Haiti” to spark awareness about the benefit.

“We wanted to let students have a way to contribute to the cause,” McMurrin said. “We thought hosting a fashion show would be the perfect way to get the campus involved.”

Stacey Thomas, style guru for Collegefashionista.com and senior fashion merchandising major, said designers spent two weeks creating garments illustrating South American and Caribbean culture.

“Five fashion journalists will choose the winning design based on what fits well with the tribal theme, what would photograph well and the most liked,” Thomas said. “The winner will be interviewed and receive a full editorial spread on Collegefashionista.com.”

Forty-three-year-old Charlie Dale was surprised when he left the runway show winning first place.

“Things were so terrible prior to the earthquake like aids, orphans and poverty. I figured I could help by showing off my work,” Dale said.

All of the proceeds made at the fashion show will be sent to the victims in Haiti.

“The disaster in Haiti is incredibly sad and I’m glad that we can get students on campus involved because every little bit helps,” McMurrin said.

Contact fashion reporter Nicole Nisson at [email protected].