Richmond is full of opportunities. I’ve often heard of Richmond being described as a “starter city,” a place that may be smaller in scale, but is rich with possibility, especially for those willing to seek out opportunity. From music venues, theatres, museums, and fashion shows, Richmond — although a mid-sized city — is expansive, with countless ways to get involved, connect, and grow.
With Virginia Commonwealth University woven directly into the city, Richmond is constantly infused with new ideas and artistic energy. VCU’s arts programs attract a diverse range of students, bringing together people from different backgrounds, skill sets, and perspectives. That diversity extends beyond campus and into the city itself, creating a dynamic environment where collaboration thrives. It’s a place where you can meet people with similar dreams, build community, and explore new creative paths, all without the overwhelming pressure that often comes with larger cities.
Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to New York City with a group from Ink Magazine to attend New York Fashion Week while also working on a photoshoot of our own. I have been to New York a couple of times over the years, and around this time last year I went to New York to assist Sergio Hudson for his Fall/Winter 2025 collection. It was a huge learning experience, one I will not forget. It made me realize that, even at New York Fashion Week, the fashion shows I have been a part of in Richmond gave me just the tools I needed to be prepared for bigger shows. I grew up in Richmond and am currently a senior in VCU’s Fashion Design program. I think it’s easy to take for granted the opportunities right at home, but those opportunities may be just the things you need to prepare you for opportunities in the future.
Being in New York during such a high profile time was both exciting and eye opening. New York Fashion week represents the “big leagues” of fashion. It’s fast paced, highly competitive, and filled with industry professionals from around the world. The stakes are high and the environment reflects that. There are countless shows, castings, and events happening simultaneously, and it often feels like you have to constantly move, network, and prove yourself just to keep up. New York has its own energy and ecosystem. You’re surrounded by people who are deeply committed to their craft, all striving to make their mark. The opportunity is there, but so is the competition. It can also be expensive and at times overwhelming, especially when navigating an unfamiliar city. For many, it’s a place where you arrive with a goal and are expected to already know your role within the industry.
In Richmond, the fashion scene offers a different, but equally valuable, kind of opportunity. There are student-run and community-run fashion shows with people of varying levels of experiences. But with these varying levels, there is a lot of room for experimentation and growth. It takes so many people to make a fashion show happen and they always need volunteers; if you are even slightly interested, it’s worth your time to try different roles for these fashion shows. Here, the stakes feel lower, but that doesn’t mean the work is less meaningful. If anything, the lower pressure environment allows creativity to flourish. You’re not boxed into one role. You can try styling, work front-of-house or behind the scenes, design, photograph, or model all within the same community.
Richmond fashion shows bring together a wide range of participants: VCU students, individuals with no formal sewing experience, and established professionals within the local creative scene with their own stores, companies, and reach outside of Richmond. This mix creates an environment that is both inclusive and inspiring. It’s not just about showcasing finished work, it’s about learning, collaborating and building something together. So even while you are here, you are networking. There is a sense of community in Richmond. In New York, networking can sometimes feel like transactional brief interactions with the hope of future gain. Here, connections tend to feel more genuine and lasting. You see the same faces across different projects, shows, and events, and over time those connections grow into meaningful creative partnerships and friendships.
While New York Fashion Week may represent the pinnacle of the fashion industry, Richmond offers something just as important: access. Access to opportunities, to people, to experiences, and to growth. It’s a place where you can take risks, make mistakes, and evolve without the constant pressure of being at the top of your game.
Both cities have their value. New York pushes you to perform at a high level and exposes you to the global scale of the industry. Richmond, on the other hand, gives you the space to discover who you are within that industry. It allows you to build your skills, your confidence, and your voice. You don’t have to be in New York to start. In fact, starting in a place like Richmond might give you exactly what you need: time, space, and community. The opportunities are already here; you just have to be open to them.
Photography: Erin De Shay