Cowboys with Heart: OSU design students partner with Oklahoma Heart Hospital for “Wear Red” Campaign
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Media Contact: Christy Lang | Director, CEHS Marketing and Communications | 405-744-9740 | christy.lang@okstate.edu
At Oklahoma State University, being a Cowboy is defined by character and service. Students in the Department of Design and Merchandising are proving that by partnering with the Oklahoma Heart Hospital to turn fashion into a powerful message for women’s heart health.
The red dress serves as the national symbol for the Wear Red for Women campaign, a movement dedicated to educating women on the risks of heart disease. Under the guidance of associate professors Dr. Adriana Petrova and Dr. Semra Peksoz, 10 student designers spent months transforming bolts of red fabric into original couture.
After months of diligently sketching, cutting and sewing, the students’ completed garments are on display as part of exhibits in the lobbies of Oklahoma Heart Hospital North and South in Oklahoma City.
Through the red dress project, apparel design and technology students gained hands-on experience while using their creativity and skill for a greater purpose — heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in Oklahoma.
Junior Kessiah Bemis described her red dress as a symbol of “strength, visibility
and support for those affected by heart disease.”
“Designing the dress allowed me to express my care in a creative and meaningful way while showing support for an important cause,” she said.
Bringing awareness to heart health was personal for sophomores Camdyn Mackey and Grace Chapman.
“I personally experienced a cardiovascular disorder in my teens and have since learned that heart disease has deeply impacted my family. My great-grandmother, grandpas, great-aunt, cousin and my sister have all been affected by the disease,” Mackey said.
Chapman’s red garment is a tribute to her grandmother.
“I wanted my design to be a symbol of elegance and femininity while also representing strength. My grandmother has had heart problems for some time — she is the one who taught me to sew. I thought of her throughout the project,” Chapman said.
While the dresses will remain on display at Oklahoma Heart Hospital locations in February, the public will have another chance to see the designs in motion. The red garment collection will be featured in the Euphoria Fashion Show, the department’s annual on campus runway fashion event, on April 24, 2026.
