STRUT VCU’s ‘Return of the Runway’ kicks off Richmond Fashion Week

Nick Bonadies
Spectrum Editor

Lines extended from the Stuart C. Siegel Center box office well past the official showtime of this year’s STRUT fashion show as VCU students and Richmond fashion lovers alike clamored for last-minute tickets.

The production, sub-titled “Return of the Runway,” was this year’s iteration of the STRUT VCU Fashion Show, which began in 2005 as a venue to showcase Richmond-based designers, models and a multitude of other artists – unlike traditional runway shows, STRUT traditionally features local talent such as musicians, dancers and poets in addition to the designers.

This year STRUT was officially included in the lineup of Richmond Fashion Week and marked the beginning of the week’s events.

STRUT VCU is planned and executed completely by VCU students. A committee, formed by an application and interview process following each year’s show, began planning for the production last August and includes students from a diverse selection of majors. This year’s committee was made up of 18 students who held 14 different positions, like stylist, graphic designer, street team coordinator and PR/advertising coordinator.

This year’s production was a departure from last year’s “STRUT in Wonderland,” which took a more dramatized, narrative direction in fitting the designs and talent around Lewis Carrol’s “Alice”: various “scenes” in “Return to the Runway,” punctuated by mood-setting performances from VCU musicians, showcased specific designers working within specific materials, such as Leather, Denim or Velvet.

“Scene 1,” for example – “Lace & Chiffon,” featuring fashions from VCU designers Lee Ahlskog, Gloria Kim and Alexandra Byrd – opened with ballerina Eleanor Getz dancing to an amplified chamber ensemble consisting of pianist James Gibson, violinist Eric Stanley and vocalist Seva Omar. The group continued to accompany the the models alongside the Siegel Center’s roaring club bass, complementing the scene’s elegant and understated designs in sheer white, silver and gold.

“Leather,” with designs by VCU freshman Kendall Battle and local designer Andrew Wolfe, took more of an edge of old-school badassery, opening with guitarist Armond Granger channelling Jimi Hendrix over the Beatles’ “As My Guitar Gently Weeps.” “Denim & Knit” by freshman Jame’t Jackson and Jasmine Mills followed, introduced by VCU a cappella ensemble The Notochords taking on the B-52s. The designs relied heavily on richly-colored knitted garments, including all-crocheted full evening dresses and hoodies in addition to traditional pieces like scarves and ponchos.

“Metallic,” opened by Hampton Roads lyricist Cl8 the Gr8, brought on the most dazzling materials designers Samantha Cooper, KaDiedra Crawford and Britt Sebastian had to offer in swatches of gold, brass and steel. VCU saxophonist Brendan Schnabel set a striking mood for the next scene, “Velvet,” with an expertly-spun solo on Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood” – Krystal Vaquerano’s designs, set in deep, luxuriant textures and shades, flowed across the runway to an intoxicating house beat. Drummer Jefferson Harris and poet Rob Gibsun’s performance set off the high-energy “Fur,” whose designs (by Candace Parrish and Kamala Bhagat) took an exotic, rustic edge, each model trailing an animalistic mane in addition to their outfits.

The technical skill and talent of the designers at this year’s STRUT, not to mention that of the models and other featured acts, was evident throughout the evening, leaving its audience with an experience to match its anticipation. If “Return of the Runway” is any indication, Richmond audiences should look for STRUT to become an even greater presence in the fashion community in the years to come.