Virginia Fashion Week irons out the kinks

After back-to-back years at Waterside Festival Marketplace, Virginia Fashion Week is moving its two hallmark days of events to another Norfolk landmark near the river: the Selden Arcade.

The move is part of changes the annual fashion extravaganza has made for its slate of events, which take place Oct. 17-21.

"I feel like we've upped our standards and our venue, bringing us back to our roots," said Ann Leister, creator of Virginia Fashion Week and owner of Splash Model Management. "It gives it a more artistic feel."

Leister is speaking to the fact that the inaugural Virginia Fashion Week in 2007 was held at Virginia Beach's Contemporary Art Center of Virginia. Selden Arcade has transformed into an art house, serving as home of the interactive arts attraction d'Art Center.

Organizers of Fashion Week have been lauded for igniting activity at the struggling Waterside. Last year the city issued a proclamation honoring the event for the pool of talent it showcases and its contributions to economic development. Like Waterside, Selden Arcade is synonymous with Norfolk's downtown waterfront, but has a much deeper history. The structure, built in 1931, connects Main and Plume streets.

Among the marquee designers returning to participate are Willie Hall, Michael Taylor, Azi Blas, Mikasa La'Charles, Stephon Stallings and Brehon Williams. Also expected to be shown is April Spring's latest collection of Foxers lingerie and loungewear, a favorite among celebrities such as Alicia Keys. In all, works from about 30 designers will be shown over the five days, Leister said.

Virginia Fashion Week also has partnered with Norfolk's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. During a component of the Saturday and Sunday shows, models will rip the runway with kittens that will be available for on-site adoption.

Making a return from last year's Fashion Week is the kids' fashion feature, which will be held on Saturday afternoon at the Todd Rosenlieb Dance Theater on Granby Street in Norfolk. However, gone is the hair and makeup competition. Also eliminated from this year's Fashion Week is the bridal component.

"We've tried to address some of the things that didn't work out last year," Leister said.

That includes the emerging-designer competition, which turned out to be an evening only God could forgive. Aside from the patience-trying late start, the competitors were not screened. And horror of all, the wrong winner was announced.

Not this year, Leister said. The emerging designers have been prequalified and the pool significantly narrowed. It will be more of a showcase than a competition, she said.

While Norfolk remains the base for the showings of sophisticate and couture wear presented on Saturday and Sunday, events also will be held in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. A VIP party at Terebinth Patisserie & Bistro in Chesapeake will kick off the week on Wednesday, Oct. 17. Lifestyle fashions and live music will be the central components of the Fashion Rocks! night Oct. 18, at Peabody's in Virginia Beach. And on Oct. 19, model competitions, Bra-ha-ha on the Runway and young designers will be featured at the Lesner Inn Catering Club in Virginia Beach.

The Wednesday VIP party is invitation-only or for VIP season-pass holders, and admission is free to Thursday's Fashion Rocks! night. A ticket is required for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday events; pricing varies.