VCU fashion students gear up for the department’s annual show scheduled for May 2 at 7 p.m.
On May 2, students in Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising will transform the University Student Commons into a high-energy, technology-driven runway, showcasing only the top 125 garments produced by students in the design program. While these designers spend the next couple of weeks finalizing their garments for a spot in the line-up, eight fashion merchandising juniors and seniors begin their countdown to the big night.
“We’re looking forward to unveiling the designs, and seeing everything come together,” said Amber Pinigis, a senior in the merchandising program and show’s director. “It’s an honor to help out with the show.”
She and her classmates, however, are doing more than just helping out with it — they are planning, coordinating and producing the show, which has an expected audience of 500.
Since the start of the spring 2008 semester, she and her classmates have been studying tapes of previous shows and brainstorming ways to implement this year’s theme of “Digital Threads” into the department’s longest running tradition.
“We’re planning to carry this theme onto the runway to really showcase the designs,” said Whitney Stevens, who leads the backstage committee. “We want to keep an element of surprise, but we’ve been experimenting with lights and ways to include video and projections.”
The garment designs are based on a loose interpretation of the theme.
“The goal, however, is for them to look at the world of technology — or lack of it — and its impact on clothing,” said Karen Videtic, chair of the fashion department. She further explained that it, along with the show’s 11 segments, was chosen by her and the departmental faculty a little more than a year ago in order to plan class projects.
In addition, the faculty members invite well-known professionals respected in the fashion industry — such as fashion designer Alabama Channing and community philanthropist Pam Reynolds — to serve as critics throughout the year, providing guidance on design and trends. Many of these experts will be returning as jurors to select the final pieces that will appear in May’s event.
“Everyone looks forward to this show,” Videtic said. “These designs are one-of-a-kind couture and only the best garments get in the show. This year, Cotton Incorporated is sponsoring the show, which has allowed us to produce an event affordable to the students.”
With the clock ticking and most of their plans in place, Pinigis added that their biggest challenge between now and the show is time. “So much of what needs to happen can’t begin until the night before or the day of the show,” she said. “We have volunteers lined up and it will be all-hands-on-deck for the big event — I know we can handle it.”
Videtic agreed. “These students are the crème of the crop!”
Tickets go on sale in the department April 1, and prices include $5 for students in the fashion department, $20 for other students, $25 for general admission and $35 for preferred seating. Contact the department at (804) 828-1699 for more information.
The department would like to thank Austin’s Spa, Terry Bateman, David Campbell, Thomas Lipscomb, Rudy Lopez, Art Toth, VCU Catering, VCU Design Center and Wythken Printing.
Photo: Phoebe Bell, student in the fashion design program, puts finishing touches on a dress she designed for her knitwear project.
