KINGSTON, R.I. – April 7, 2025 – Leo Tolstoy is renowned for his literary masterpieces, such as Anna Karenina and War and Peace. He famously remarked, “Spring is the time for plans and projects,” a sentiment that resonates profoundly with the University of Rhode Island’s Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design. As spring approaches the department in the College of Business is gearing up for its annual Spring Splash fashion show.

The show is more than models walking down a runway. It is an encapsulation of students’ diligent efforts throughout the academic year. Many of the student designers took an independent study course, allowing them to conceptualize and ultimately bring their ideas to life. Volunteer models will walk down the runway exhibiting the designers’ creativity on Sunday, April 27, in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

“Students get the opportunity to create a collection, or they can just create one garment,” said Susan Hannel, associate professor of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design.

Hannel notes that there is usually a diversity of styles that are typically presented. Of the 20 or so students who’ll be showing off their work, there will be about 36 garments presented.

The show provides a platform for students to display their creations in an engaging and imaginative manner. They oversee every aspect, from design and fabric selection to choosing the models who will display their garments. For many students, their designs tell a story

“You’re putting the whole look together, and that is a type of creativity,” says Hannel. “Some students start from a very basic illustration, then create patterns and sew the garment, while others use commercial patterns.”

This year’s master of ceremonies will be 10 Under 10 Award winner and fashion designer Amy Page DeBlasio ‘15 who participated in the show as an undergraduate and considers her return a rewarding full-circle moment. DeBlasio is the founder of a contemporary fashion label based in Providence that bears her name. Since her time on campus, DeBlasio has returned to several Spring Splash Fashion Shows and found it incredible to see how the event has evolved—each year becoming more dynamic, more ambitious, and more inspiring.

“I remember feeling afraid of making a collection, putting it out there, and not having faith in myself as a designer,” said DeBlasio. “But Dr. Hannel was so encouraging, and Karl Aspeland was incredibly complimentary about the collection I had created—especially how I paid attention to every single detail. That gave me the confidence boost I needed to participate in Spring Splash and eventually turn my dreams into a career. I’m forever grateful.”

Kendall Leuven, Ella Manero, and Rob Palumbo are among the students who will be showcasing their garments this year.

Leuven draws her inspiration from a blend of historical periods and technology. She plans to infuse a 1920s-inspired dress with a computer chip aesthetic. The senior from Hampton, New Hampshire, said she chose the 1920s due to the parallels between the issues faced then and now. 

“I started off wanting to do a 1920s-inspired garment since it’s the 2020s,” says Leuven. “And then I saw this one dress from Schiaparelli, and it’s made entirely out of computer chips.”

For Leuven, creating garments sits right in the middle of creativity and math. Precise measurements are crucial for garment fitting, especially since Leuven will model her own creation. 

“If I’m making my dress, I want to walk in it,” said Leuven.

To help marry her two inspirations, she is incorporating green lines and boxes into the dress. She says the hardest part is going to be beading the dress and ensuring it has that flash of a computer chip but still has the flair of a 1920s dress. 

Palumbo is going in a different direction. Instead of drawing inspiration from technology, he’s drawing inspiration from what some of that technology sits in, appliances. Palumbo prioritizes functionality as much as fashion. The Cape Cod native draws inspiration from his family’s former appliance business. He’s planning on showing five pieces at the fashion show, incorporating denim and canvas.

“The idea is to create what would be a uniform for employees of an appliance business, but sort of like a higher fashion version of a uniform,” said Palumbo. “I want to be able to make something that will stand the test of time and be able to hold up.”

What’s helped him over the last semester and a half is his sewing skills. He said that it can be challenging to get into the sewing lab for long periods at a time and instead decided to get his own sewing machine.

“It’s been a lot of fun to have this idea that you see on paper, and you go, ‘wow, this looks cool,’” says Palumbo. “Then to continue on and get it to where it’s a physical thing that you can hold, and wear is amazing.”

Like Palumbo, Manero’s interest in fashion was influenced by her family – her mother, who is also a designer. She’s worked for brands like Patagonia and Timberland. 

“I’ve grown up kind of watching her and helping her do fittings and stuff like that,” said Manero.

When she was thinking about what to do, she drew inspiration from spring and nature. After learning that one of her friends who goes to college in Massachusetts was doing a lot with natural dyes, the Eliot, Maine native decided to utilize natural dyes in all three of her pieces for the Spring Splash.

Her second year as part of Spring Splash, Manero has been able to enjoy a little more autonomy in her designs and has enjoyed the challenge of working with and learning about natural dyes., She hopes the colors will turn out as envisioned.

“Researching the dyes and learning the background and history of how all of these things have come to be has been really cool,” she says. 

To purchase tickets for Spring Splash, visit the URI Foundation and Alumni Engagement website. General admission is $25. URI student admission is $10. There is also limited VIP seating available.