From New York to Akron: How Jazmine Fischer Brought the Runway Home

Image Source: Alejandro Pictures & Newly Developed Media

Photos By: alejandro_pictures_2 & newly_developed_

After nearly three years of storytelling, I realized I never properly introduced myself. Hi! I’m McKenzie Uhrig, and I’m lucky enough to have built my career mainly in fashion writing and marketing. Recently, I became the Marketing & PR Coordinator for an incredible local designer, Jazmine Fischer. This role has not only deepened my understanding of fashion shows and the marketing world but also helped me discover my own identity and impact as a fashion professional. I’m truly thankful to Jazmine and her amazing ‘Mom’ager,’ Sharon Jones-Winfrey, for this opportunity. I’m excited for what’s next from Fischer, but first, I want to share our show EXPERIENCE: the Runway from NY to Akron with you. Enjoy!

After hosting her last showcase in 2017, Jazmine Fischer hosted her first hometown fashion show – EXPERIENCE: the Runway from NY to Akron on March 1st, 2026, at Bounce Innovation Hub. Fischer, who founded By Jazmine Fischer, is a graduate of Kent State University. She’s appeared in Fashion Week Cleveland and had her second appearance in New York Fashion Week this past February. She’s been featured in numerous publications and interviewed by Spectrum News One, Akron Beacon Journal, and New Day Cleveland. Like a certain returning pop star, she gives new meaning to ‘living a double life’, juggling a busy fashion career on top of being a wife, mother, and full-time firefighter for the city of Akron. I can’t make this up, seriously, check out some of her interviews. When she isn’t being a badass, you can find her creating couture fashion and custom designs – she can even design Prom wear. When you ask what drives her, Fischer has this quote on her webpage: “Fashion is my passion and my craft. I believe there is nothing worse than wasted talent.”

Fischer chose her hometown debut venue with care, aiming to bring New York’s energy to Akron – the space had to match the city’s vibe. She found the ideal setting at Bounce Innovation Hub. Stepping inside, you felt instantly transported to NYC, surrounded by an industrial warehouse style and large windows framing the cityscape. The Hub, a nonprofit offering co-working, social, professional, meeting, and event spaces within the historic Goodrich Building, became the stage for Fischer’s historic moment as the first female designer to host a show there. The Hub hopes she won’t be the last. It’s truly a perfect spot for any fashion event. To learn more, contact event coordinator Natalie Aylsworth at naylsworth@bouncehub.org.

Being her hometown debut, Fischer wanted to ensure that other local talented designers were included. Fellow KSU alums Braisha Mount and Jennifer Smas had collections featured in the show. Mount, who founded Kissed by BO, has revolutionized denim by creating wearable art with a purpose, utilizing the female form, and has even designed an outfit for Jordin Sparks – you can connect with her at kissedbybo and braisha@kissedbybo.com. Smas, who’s worked with the likes of Cynthia Rowley, Betsey Johnson, Anna Sui, and W Magazine’s Fashion Closet, established atelier Studio TEN23, blending sculptural structure and draped movement to create glamorous designs inspired by French Couture – connect with her at jennysmas and jenny@JStudio1023.com.

Fischer then chose two designers who were no strangers to the runway, W Vaughn Glover and Kayla Wright. Glover has become a trusted name in men’s fashion for the artistically crafted and unique designs from his Xalter Zaughn Menswear line – connect with him at xalterzaughn and fashionko@yahoo.com. Wright, who founded Visions of Drama, uses her understanding of how clothes move with the body to design her collections, the latest in collaboration with Lisa Luv and Nx Level Yvonne Hicks – connect with her at kayla_visionsofdrama.

These last three designers exclusively debuted their first clothing collection during EXPERIENCE: the Runway from NY to Akron. Taylor Sigler, who founded Lemon Cove, originally started by designing jewelry before experimenting with her thrift finds by turning them into couture pieces – connect with her at mytaylord_closet. Shayla Carson has always had a dream of being an actress and wearing her own designs on the red carpet. She founded C A R S O N – creative, art, recyclable, style, one-of-a-kind, novelty – on the principle of recycling everyday pieces into stunning couture gowns – connect with her at smcredd21. Lisa Allen got her start in fashion by designing custom hats; her Jack Diamond Apparel brand has now expanded into creating upscale designs that ooze sophistication and individuality.

It certainly was a monumental undertaking for Fischer to host a hometown fashion show within only a few short months. She had this to say when I asked why, “Why not – Why not create a platform for artists and designers to show their work… Why not also show what people in this area can do. There’s so many designers in this area.” Making her show not only a celebration of luxury fashion, but a celebration of Akron culture. She debuted her Aquarius collection, which was heavily influenced by her love of Anime and blending cultures through fashion. Fischer stated, “Growing up, I was very much immersed in the 90s and Asian culture… I’ve always liked that whole Asian theme but in a 90s element, in a very Black element.”

Inspired by one of the most versatile zodiacs, Aquarius is meant to evoke a sense of innovation, fluidity, and rejuvenation. Her collection included many Japanese-inspired designs like, Hakama styled men’s pants, brocade dresses and skirts, and coats featuring Japanese architecture. From a stylish lightweight overcoat to a reimagined puffer, the Asian streetwear and Anime influence was present throughout the designs. Reinforced through traditional patterns, cool color schemes, and culturally significant pieces. Many of her pieces also featured an ombré pattern, seamlessly blending colors to create a stunning visual effect. One such design that featured this effect was a stunning women’s blue sequin jumpsuit that even Bob Mackie would be proud of. Being surrounded by Asian and Black culture during her upbringing has been instrumental in her fashion career – her ability to blend cultures so seamlessly is what sets her apart.

EXPERIENCE: the Runway from NY to Akron wasn’t just your regular fashion show; it was an immersive experience with live models acting as mannequins before the show even started. Attendees were able to get up close and personal with some spectacular designs. Dj Dwayne Gordon provided a live soundscape designed to complement the runway, and the illustrious “King of the Runway” Chuck Rabb gave a sensational performance showing attendees exactly what made him go viral – connect with Gordon at djdwaynegordon and Rabb at only1_chuckrabb.

Fischer also provided guests with complimentary drinks and delectable hors d’oeuvres provided by Brandi Baus and LaRae’ Fischer. Makeup for the show was done by MUAs Latoya Smith at makeupbyoya and Shanice Morris at niecyartistry_ with hair styled by students from the Love My Hair School of Cosmetology at lovemy_hair. Fischer credits her mom, Jones-Winfrey, and Stage Manager Chelsea Johnsen for helping produce such a successful show, as well as fellow designer Smas, who created the event’s logo and graphics. Get in contact with them at shewinfrey@gmail.com and chelseajohnsen231@gmail.com.

There were many talented models who walked in the show, including runway veteran Marnita Robinson at 2grtaful and newcomers Julian Alford at set_apart_ju and Sarai Murdock at siriz_world_. But it was the men who opened the show, with Glover presenting his second Xalter Zaughn Menswear line, the Gray and White Collection, which included nine mixed pattern suit designs featuring his iconic “X Z” logo on many pieces. Carson’s brand opened the womenswear portion of the show with her Silhouette Dreams collection featuring six unique, hand-crafted gowns created from recycled fabrics with mixed textiles and bold patterns. Fischer first took to the stage to share her previous Prom commissions, and she shocked the audience when she revealed the adult models wearing the pieces were the original teens who commissioned them. With five gowns featuring crystal-embellished bodices and one all-white men’s suit with an open lace back – one pink gown even featured a floor-length feather train. Fischer hasn’t had her commissions open since she’s been working on her shows and collections, but fans are hoping her books will be open again in the future.

In a dramatic showing of fashion and storytelling, Wright debuted a 12-piece collection that featured wide-legged pants, a long overcoat, and dresses – many in Burgundy – telling a unique story through bold black and white patterns, masquerade-style masks, and matching fans. Smas then took to the runway to show her Le Geste Retenu – or the restrained gesture – collection featuring six stunning Parisian inspired womenswear pieces, including structurally draped gowns, short-sleeve brocade jackets, a crystal-embellished top, balloon-style trousers, and wide brim hats. Allen took the stage next with her seven-piece collection focusing on luxurious comfort with custom track suits in varying shades for men and women – one featured women’s suit looked to be inspired by Uma Thurman’s yellow suit in Kill Bill. Allen, who also specializes in couture hats, designed a one-of-a-kind wide-brim hat with a stunning fringe curtain feature for model Marnita Robinson.

In her first show, Sigler presented five upcycled womenswear designs featuring jackets and skirts in bright colors and soft fabric – flipping her thrift finds into unique couture designs. Glover came back to the runway with another nine menswear designs featuring knit tops with geometric patterns made with soft, comfortable, and breathable fabric; he also included a fun accessory – a matching umbrella. Before concluding the show, Mount presented her eight-piece luxury denim collection featuring repurposed denim pieces, including a unique structured cut-out corset, ruffled layered maxi skirt, bra tops, pants, vests, and multiple styled jackets. Not only did she create her own jewelry, but she also handcrafted, distressed, and bleached all her designs.

Fischer appropriately debuted her 18-piece Aquarius collection as the finale, featuring a range of blue and cool tone pieces inspired by Japanese fashion, architecture, and Anime – with reimagined puffer coat styled pieces, brocade dresses, and hakama-inspired pants, the influence was easy to see. She created some of the most unique patterns of the night, delighting the audience with a spectacular final show. After the success of her previous two collections, Gemini and Aquarius, fans are anxiously awaiting to see what this talented Akron designer will come up with next. Let me know what you think of these stunning designs in the comments!