News Summary
A group of students from Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design is making waves by designing gowns for Michele Lewandowski, Miss Michigan USA. The collaboration highlights the creativity and skill of the KCAD fashion program, as students work under pressure to deliver high-quality garments in preparation for the Miss USA pageant. With unique designs tailored to Lewandowski’s vision, the project reflects teamwork and dedication, showcasing Michigan’s fashion talent on a national stage.
Grand Rapids, Michigan – A group of talented students from Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) is set to make a significant impact at the upcoming 2025 Miss USA pageant. Among them is Linnea Frantz, a 22-year-old junior at the Pamella Roland DeVos School of Fashion, who has a deep passion for pageants. Recently, Frantz and ten of her peers designed custom dresses for Michele Lewandowski, who was crowned Miss Michigan USA on August 9 in Port Huron.
Lewandowski will showcase the unique creations crafted by KCAD students at the Miss USA pageant, scheduled to occur from October 18 to 24 at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada. The collaboration between Lewandowski and the KCAD fashion program was initiated when she approached the school’s fashion studies program in the fall of 2024. She sought assistance in designing four outfits, which included an important gown for her coronation ceremony.
The timeline for the project proved to be a challenge, as the official Miss USA pageant dates were announced only weeks before the competition. This last-minute change was attributed to alterations in leadership within the Miss Universe organization, placing added pressure on the students to deliver high-quality designs in a short timeframe. This common experience within the fashion industry was highlighted by Lori Faulkner, KCAD’s fashion studies program chair.
Three weeks prior to the official events, Lewandowski met with the students to share her fashion vision. Following this initial meeting, students began sketching their design ideas and presenting various options to her. After Lewandowski selected her preferred designs, the students collaborated to create detailed fashion illustrations, choose fabrics, develop patterns, and sew samples of the gowns.
The final garments were constructed from specially ordered fabrics and underwent multiple fittings with Lewandowski to ensure they met her specifications and expectations. Throughout the process, Lewandowski expressed her gratitude towards the students, commending their creativity, commitment, and meticulous attention to detail in breathing life into her designs.
Frantz shared her excitement about contributing to a gown that will gain national recognition, noting that it fulfills her childhood dreams of working in the pageantry field. She emphasized that the project provided valuable learning experiences, including the development of technical skills such as hand sewing and the interpersonal skills needed to present design concepts effectively. Another student from KCAD, Elise Houle, remarked on the project’s collaborative nature, highlighting the teamwork involved among students.
Faulkner expressed her satisfaction with the students’ performance in this endeavor. She noted that this project is just one of several recent collaborations between KCAD and local arts organizations, which also include the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and Grand Rapids Ballet.
As the countdown to the Miss USA pageant continues, the finals are slated for October 24, 2025. All students involved in the gown design project extend their best wishes to Michele Lewandowski as she prepares to compete on the national stage.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Student Designs for Miss USA
- WZZM: ArtPrize Fashion Show Event
- Grand Rapids Magazine: Weekend Events
- Fox17: Pride Month in West Michigan
- MLive: Designers Turn Trash into Treasure
- Wikipedia: Fashion
- Google Search: Fashion Design
- Google Scholar: Fashion Pageantry
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fashion
- Google News: Miss USA 2025
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
