KENT, OHIO.- The Kent State University Museum is pleased to announce a collaborative program at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (the Kate) and Katharine Hepburn Museum in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, on Dec. 4. The program will highlight Kent State University Museum’s current exhibition, “The Hepburn Style: Katharine and Her Designers,” which draws from the museum’s rich collection of clothing and costumes from the Hepburn estate.

“The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center is beyond thrilled to partner with the Kent State University Museum for this very special event,” said Brett Elliott, executive director of the Kate. “Bringing together the only museum of its kind dedicated to the great Katharine Hepburn and the museum with the largest Hepburn clothing and costume collection is a match made in heaven. We look forward to this collaboration and many more as we both continue to share the legacy of a true Hollywood icon.”

The program will focus on Hepburn’s style through an exploration of both her personal wardrobe and her costumes, emphasizing her focus on comfort, line and proportion. The program pulls together – for the first time – three iconic costume designers who worked with Hepburn on stage and screen productions.

“The exciting aspect of Katharine Hepburn’s style is that it is enduring,” said Joanne Fenn, Kent State University Museum collections manager and registrar, who curated the exhibition and will be headlining the program. “Her choices went beyond fashion trends, incorporating her individuality and pushing gender norms.”

The presentation also will highlight archival items from the Katharine Hepburn Museum and conclude with a moderated discussion with the audience.

The new director of the Kent State University Museum, Sarah Spinner Liska, Ph.D., J.D., is committed to building partnerships across the region and country to showcase the museum’s extraordinary collection and open opportunities for exploration, research and collaboration.

“We are delighted to celebrate our current exhibition – and Hepburn’s enduring style legacy – with the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, and we are so grateful for the warm welcome in Hepburn’s hometown of Old Saybrook,” Spinner Liska said.

“The Hepburn Style” program will take place at 7 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the Kate in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Tickets are available through the Kate’s website. The Kent State University Museum exhibition “The Hepburn Style: Katharine and Her Designers” runs through Sept. 28, 2025 at the museum in Kent, Ohio.