VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts will present “Shimmer,” this year’s fashion show, on Wednesday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Train Shed at Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main St.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the School of the Arts, and the 50th anniversary of the school’s annual fashion show. Honored guests for the event are Manhattan-based designers Abdul Abasi and Greg Rosborough of Abasi Rosborough, and fashion illustrator Richard Haines.

Abasi and Rosborough founded their eponymous company and label in 2013 with a redesigned suit jacket that moves and breathes with the wearer, while preserving the archetype, lineage and cultural meaning of the original design. The Abasi Rosborough aesthetic focuses on comfort and flexibility.

An alumnus of VCU’s Communication Arts and Design program, Haines is a former fashion designer who now sketches haute couture looks from the catwalk and leading fashion houses.

“We are in a celebratory mood this year as Richard Haines returns to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the School of the Arts as well as the 50th year of the VCUarts fashion show in Richmond,” said Patricia Brown, chair of the School of the Arts’ Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising. “We are also excited to welcome Abasi and Rosborough as they share their vision for reimagining tailoring for the 21st century.”

This annual juried event presents the finished work of fashion design students, as well as the strategic production talents of fashion merchandising students. “Shimmer” will feature women's sportswear, dresses, menswear, denim,embellishment/luxury and surface design, all created by hand or with the assistance of industry-standard machinery. Clothing modeled on the runway includes junior and senior class designs, as well as designs from VCUarts Qatar, the school’s campus in Doha, Qatar.

“Shimmer” is organized by nine junior and senior merchandising students enrolled in the fashion department’s Advanced Show Production class, in collaboration with design students, fashion faculty and sponsors. Students produce all aspects of the show, from model selection and training to lighting, music selection and backstage operations.

Tickets are available online at www.showclix.com/event/shimmer2019. Tickets are $100 for front-row seating, $75 for second-row seating and $60 for third-row seating. Discounts are available for fashion students and their families. The show also will be livestreamed at arts.vcu.edu/fashion/livestream.