Richmond Fashion Week is so this year

Devon Savage

Contributing Writer

Who ever said followers of high fashion had to travel to New York, Paris, London or Milan to experience fashion week was wrong.

April 2nd – 9th Richmond will be holding its own fashion week. Spearheaded by Nightlife Promos Inc. (NLP), they have been committed to facilitating a gateway to the fashion world from creation to consumer since 2009. Originally, the idea came from Jason Michael Primrose along with Kearsten Feggans. Together, they embarked on a large-scale project to showcase Richmond’s unique fashion and culture with partners Jimmy Budd and Joey McCullough. Richmond Fashion Week’s goal has been to raise awareness of local fashion for businesses, sponsors, vendors, participants and guests at each event.

Many other cities nationally – and around world – are starting to hold their own fashion weeks. One reason is because it’s a great way to get exposure for young designers, models and artists.

Richmond, in itself, is home to a diverse group people that sets it apart from all other cities in Virginia. For this reason alone, Richmond Fashion Week is sure to be nothing short of amazing.

For more information, you can visit RVAFashionWeek.com for details on the events, volunteering and prices.

Schedule of events

April 2 – STRUT VCU Fashion Show

Considered  Richmond’s most prestigious fashion event, STRUT focuses on mixing entertainment with fashion straight from VCU’s Fashion Department.

Virginia Commonwealth University Fashion Show, April 2, 7 p.m., $15 for general admission, Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St.

April 3 – Uncrated/Recreated

Uncrate/Recreated is a benefit show for the Richmond Animal League which provides housing and medical care to over 800  homeless pets a year until their safe adoption. The show will feature reconstructed works, animal inspired themes and guest pet models with the human models.

Designers showing at this show include Steven Ramirez, Britt Sebastian, Melodie Fais, Corey Nero, Chance Llanes and Krystal Vaquerano.

Fashion Show Benefiting the Richmond Animal League, April 3, 3:30pm, $15 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors, Studio 8 West, 8 W. Broad St.

April 5 – Uncorked at The Wine Loft

RVA Fashion Week and DowntownShortPump.com presents “Uncorked at The Wine Loft,” a jewelry showcase featuring Kelly Farlow, Chelsea Nicholas and others.

Fashion and Jewelry Show at The Wine Loft, April 5, 7 p.m., free and open to the public, The Wine Loft, 4035 Whittall Way

April 6 – Runway at CenterStage

Featuring a model competition organized by RVA Fashion Week, this runway show features local models wearing looks from various local retailers, designers and boutiques. For more information about entering the model competition, visit rvafashionweek.com.

With a Model Competition, April 6, 7:30 p.m., $10, CenterStage – Rhythm Hall, 600 E. Grace St.

April 8 – Catwalk for Kids of Richmond 2011

Catwalk for Kids was formed in 2009 at Charleston Fashion Week and works to raise money for critically ill children. While the charity focuses on executing fashion projects with patients, this fashion week event is a fundraising event.

Last year, over $270,00 were raised for the MUSC Children’s Hospital.

This year’s event will begin with a luncheon followed by a Tibi fashion show (designed by Amy Smilovic) with entertainment segments and a live auction. Throughout the event, past and present patients will be sharing their stories.

Fashion Show/Luncheon with Live Auction, April 8, 11 a.m., $125 per person, $1250 for table of 10, Rocketts Landing

April 8 – Red Carpet Film Premiere

The Top 10 finalists from the “What is Fashion?” video contest will be screened and voted on by attendees.

Videos can be submitted via the Internet by visiting rvafashionweek.com.

Saks Fifth Avenue Richmond proudly presents The Red Carpet Fashion Film Premiere, April 8, 9:30pm, $10, The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St.

April 9 – Fashion Week Grand Finale

Featuring fashion and live music, the finale of 2011’s RVA Fashion Week will showcase local boutiques such as Wardrobe, The Phoenix, MiLa’s Bridal, Lex’s of Carytown and NYFO.

Live music will be provided by New England’s Best Dance Crew: The Movement Specialists, “TT” The Artist, The Handsmiths, Manifesto and M.A.S.S. FX.

RFW will also be announcing winners of the model competition from the April 6th event Runway at Centerstage.

Final installment of the 3rd Annual RVA Fashion Week, April 9, 7:30 p.m., tickets starting at $10, Rocketts Landing, 211 Rocketts Way