VCU Innovation Gateway hosts special One Million Cups fashion event

By Leila Ugincius

Virginia Commonwealth University Innovation Gateway hosts a special two-hour One Million Cups Richmond program dedicated to fashion and apparel startups.

The event takes place Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 9 to 11 a.m. at The Depot, 814 W. Broad St.

One Million Cups — established by the Kauffman Foundation to help cultivate startup communities — is a weekly meeting that takes place each Wednesday at 9 a.m. across the country. Richmond’s event, run by RVAWorks, is held at The Depot each week.

Typically, two local entrepreneurs present their ideas at the various locations to a group of businesspeople, mentors and advisers. The group then provides immediate feedback and insight. This particular meeting will feature four fashion and apparel startup companies:

• New Normal Apparel Co., a community-based lifestyle company that believes in providing high-quality fashion designed and manufactured locally.
  
  
• Artisan Handbags and Accessories, a local company that creates custom handbags and accessories, based on premade or customer designs.
  
  
• Collared Greens, a maker of American-made, eco-friendly men's apparel.
  
  
• Natural Border, a company whose shirts represent the best in fit, style, comfort and function, stemming from a mission to create more sensibility from field to fashion.