U.Va.: a prominent school in the fields of business, law and medicine, is unfortunately deeply lacking in the studies of cultural significance. The arts, such as theater, dance and art, have small, but growing departments. Study of design, the field of digital media, is also expanding. But one huge field of study is missing -- that of fashion design and commerce.
The University's Fashion Design Club is the premier outlet for aspiring fashion designers, photographers and models. Founded in 2000 in response to the University's lack of formal education, FDC has grown from a handful of student designers to a student-run group of over 60 designers, models and photographers, male and female, of all fashion genres.
"U.Va. doesn't offer a fashion major," FDC jewelry designer Suzanne Ginnow said. "This is an outlet ... to work on fashion design and get their name out there."
Each semester, the designers work to put out a final collection. Collections include a minimum of three pieces, complete with a collection theme, color scheme and often a uniform component. Whether it be a certain material used throughout the collection or a similar design element, each collection is unique to the designer.
"Collections range from evening wear, lingerie, swimwear, party dresses," Ginnow said. "These pieces are very tailored and detailed. The designers spend hours to put out ready-to-wear pieces, that could be bought in a store."
The club concludes each semester with a fashion show to showcase the work of each designer throughout the season. The designers create their pieces with the show's theme in mind as inspiration. This year's show, Lush, invokes ideas of luxurious, luscious, intoxicating clothes.
Club president, Courtney Chapman, has created six collections for the upcoming show ranging from formalwear to lingerie to business wear. Chapman, a fourth-year College Student majoring in Spanish Linguistics and Latin American Studies, has used her experiences with FDC to prepare her for the fashion world outside of Charlottesville.
"I'm getting my masters in Global Corporate Fashion Management, so FDC has been prepping me for that," Chapman said. "I hope to end up either in a previously established company or design my own line."
With serious aspirations in the world of fashion, FDC designers prepare collections worthy of catwalks in Paris or Milan rather than those on Grounds.
"The collections are so diverse, every designer is unique in their own way," Ginnow said. "Some girls use crazy geometric 60s patterns to create bohemian pieces while others will work with only lace and make sexy lingerie and tops."
FDC has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Its first fashion show, held in Tuttle Lounge, showcased a mere eight pieces for a handful of onlookers. Last semester's show, Notorious, included the work of nearly 60 designers, 150 pieces and three sold-out crowds with more than 600 people in attendance, including fashion scouts. Previous to the show, the club's aspiring fashion photographers held photo shoots with each designer and models.
FDC donates a portion of each show's profit to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The club also works with the Charlottesville Boys and Girls Club, putting on a show for them and holding workshops to teach the club how to sew.
"The ability to give something back is a blessing," Chapman said. "It is refreshing to also donate our time and skills to helping children realize their dreams."
This weekend's fall fashion show, Lush, promises to showcase detailed and varied work from several student designers. From designing couture to coats to jewelry, the members of FDC work to fill the creative outlet the University community is lacking.
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