Fall Fashion Weekend brings art, mental health awareness to Richmond

Richmond Fall Fashion Weekend kicked off this Thursday at Bar Solita. Photo by Jon Mirador

Milan Brewster, Contributing Writer 

Fall Fashion Weekend started Thursday with a media event for models, photographers, reporters and designers who discussed the upcoming event at Bar Solita, a roomy, Mediterranean-themed restaurant on Broad Street.

The event is making its sixth annual return to the city. Richmond’s Fashion Week is devoted to collaborating with local businesses and designers. It was first initiated by a group of VCU students in 2008. 

The celebration will feature designers Abena Aforo, Creation Lords, BANR and Leve Lifted.

Many other events will follow the four-day event, including the third annual Runway2Life fashion show — which will raise awareness for those affected by mental illness — at Main Street Station on Friday. 

The event will bring attention to mental health and suicide awareness, while celebrating the beauty and fashion of Richmond.

“We’re really excited. We are working with an amazing charity organization, Runway2Life,” said Jimmy Budd, executive producer of Richmond Fashion Week. “We are probably expecting about 1,000 people [at the runway show] in the name of mental awareness.”

Saturday’s event will be an outdoor and indoor dance party and fashion show presentation with music from local DJs Caasim and Markus Gold at The Courtyard by Marriott Richmond Downtown. This event will have clothing, jewelry designers, food and drinks, and games. This event is will involve Style and Spirits RVA crew and Juan Marichal Pierce. 

The festivities will conclude on Sunday with the RVAFW fall designer show, which will be held at the Dominion Energy Center’s Rhythm Hall. 

“This is our 6th annual fall fashion weekend, and it just keeps getting better and better each year,” said model coach and coordinator of the fashion week, Soliel Paden. “We are really excited for what’s to come.” 

The weekend is leading up to highly anticipated fashion shows that will express Richmond’s creativity and passion for art in many ways. It will be showcasing some of the industry’s top organizations. 

Richmond Fall Fashion Weekend Oct. 10
Photographer and model Tyler Wigglesworth shares his story and experiences at the open Network Event at Bar Solita. Photo by Jon Mirador
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