Recently female graduate conducting student Sarah Kois was preparing for her first concert at Kent State. In asking her professor what to wear there was not an adequate answer. Had she been male, she would have worn a tux. However, even now, there is not standard attire for female conductors. Instructed to find professional concert black, Sarah searched only to run into a different problem - the scrutiny of female clothing. On one hand some consider dresses unprofessional, yet others feel pants are not feminine enough. Ultimately Sarah worked to find the perfect jacket, yet the women's blazer was difficult to move in.

There are clear divides between male and female genders. Placing male status and needs above women has been passed down through generations. Our Flash Grant project has explored the depths and essence of musical conducting to design a suit specifically for women. The goal was to create a design that displays both femininity and command, while being comfortable, breathable, and professional. This project has encouraged creative thinking by challenging gender norms both in traditional societal roles and appearance, and is one step in closing gender equality gaps.

The final product, designed and created by fashion design major Christelle (Maya) Tucker, will be debuted at the Communiversity Band concert on April 30th in Cartwright Auditorium.