October 22, 2025

Miss Michigan USA will take the pageant stage wearing gown designed by students in Ferris State’s Kendall College of Art and Design

For a young Linnea Frantz, the glamourous gowns were always the best part of watching pageants on television. She never imagined she’d one day help design one of those very dresses herself.

Now a junior at the Pamella Roland DeVos School of Fashion at Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design she’s done just that — designed custom looks for Miss Michigan USA as she takes the stage in this week’s Miss USA pageant.

“Being able to help create a gown that will receive national recognition is fulfilling my dreams that I've had since I was a little girl,” said Frantz, 22, of Kentwood.

The opportunity came when Michele Lewandowski, the reigning Miss Michigan USA, approached KCAD’s well-known Fashion Studies program about a collaboration.

“Michele is familiar with the caliber of work here at KCAD and wanted our help designing four outfits for the competition including a gown for the coronation ceremony,” said Lori Faulkner, professor and Fashion Studies program chair.

It was a great chance for students to bring their creative visions to life under some of the brightest lights in the pageant world.

The only catch? Time.

The Miss USA pageant just weeks ago officially announced dates for its 2025 competition following controversy surrounding new leadership for the Miss Universe Organization. The Miss USA pageant begins Saturday, with finals taking place Oct. 24 in Reno, Nev., at the Grand Sierra Resort.

That only gave Faulkner’s class a few weeks.

“But that’s what happens in real life, so it’s been a great learning experience for them,” Faulkner said.

Lewandowski, who lives in Norton Shores, first met with KCAD students three weeks ago to share her fashion vision for the competition. That information in hand, Frantz and the 10 other students in this semester’s fashion studies class began their initial sketches.

The student designers came up with multiple design options. Once Lewandowski made her final selections, students worked in teams to draft fashion illustrations, select fabric, create patterns and sew samples made of inexpensive muslin. After several fittings with the contestant, the final garments were assembled and sewn from specially ordered fabrics, fine-tuned, and presented to the contestant this week.

Lewandowski loved the designs.

“Their creativity, dedication and attention to detail brought the wardrobe pieces they made to life in the most beautiful way for the Miss USA pageant,” Lewandowski said.

And the KCAD students loved the experience.

“I’ve learned so much through designing this piece, both technical skills, like hand sewing, and interpersonal skills, such as how to present my design ideas to someone not in my field,” Frantz said. “I would not trade this experience for anything.”

Elise Houle, another KCAD Fashion Studies program junior, said working on the project was a great collaborative opportunity.

“It was amazing working with Michele and creating garments that show off her style in the best possible way,” Houle said.

The bachelor of fine arts in Fashion Studies degree program prides itself on empowering students to pursue careers in the fashion industry through immersive experiences that cultivate critical thinking and design skills while broadening their understanding of fashion retailing, sustainability and presentation. The degree includes an immersive fashion experience studying abroad.

Faulkner is thrilled with her students’ work on this project, which aligns with the Fashion Studies program’s mission to encourage community collaboration in a safe environment. Other recent partnerships included costume design with the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Grand Rapids Ballet, Opera Grand Rapids and Holland Tulip Festival.

The KCAD fashion design students will be pulling for Lewandowski as she competes for the national crown, which will be presented by last year’s pageant winner: Miss Michigan USA Alma Cooper.

“We all wish Michele the best of luck,” Faulkner said.