Teen Stylin’ is a free twelve-week program held at VMFA that includes an orientation session and twelve fashion-design workshops during which participants (grades 6-12) learn from professional fashion designers and industry specialists to create innovative garments inspired by VMFA’s collection.
This year, the on-campus program will be offered as a hybrid model with both in-person and virtual workshop experiences. In order to keep our class size in the studios manageable with consideration to COVID-19, we have reduced the enrollment for this program. Attendance at all in-person sessions is required.
Young people can also apply to complete the program independently with optional virtual assistance. Applicants that we deem are a good fit but who are not accepted to the on-campus program will be offered this opportunity.
Applicants will mark their schedule preference on their application. Priority for on-campus instruction will be given to applicants who are new to the program and applicants enrolled in non-specialty public school programs.
Students’ designs are later showcased for the greater Richmond community during a highly-popular runway exhibition where a panel of professionals from the field of art, design, and fashion select winners in the following categories: “Best Overall” “Best Use of Alternative Materials,” “Most Creative Construction,” “Best Interpretation of a Work of Art,” “Best Interpretation of the Theme,” and “Most Wearable.” If needed, the runway exhibition will be adapted to abide by COVID-19 state and locality guidelines.
Following the runway exhibition, the fashion renderings of all Teen Stylin’ participants and the winning garments are displayed in VMFA’s Art Education Center.