RVA Fashion Week returns for its 18th season with six nights of runway shows

RVA Fashion Week is back for another go, and this time the week-long runway series is spreading across three venues with six nights of shows running April 7 through 12.

The spring/summer 2026 season, themed “Elevation,” opens April 7 at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, then moves to Common House Richmond on April 8 and to Deco at CNB for the remaining four nights. Headlining designers include DYKEMINT, Mapulder, Constantine Atelier, and Mora Modern Rasta, with additional regional brands covering everything from tailored luxury to streetwear.

“Spring ’26 is about elevation — more than just a theme, but a standard,” said Steffene Cheeks, general manager for RVA Fashion Week. “This season represents growth in vision, professionalism, and opportunity.”

Each night carries its own identity. The opening show, “Prototype: Made to Inspire,” is a collaboration with the Virginia Museum of History & Culture that draws from the museum’s “We the People” exhibition, asking designers to interpret themes of citizenship, representation, and identity through contemporary fashion. From there, the week moves through a showcase of boutiques and established designers on April 8, a platform for emerging and experimental designers on April 9, an art-forward runway blending fashion with visual storytelling on April 10, a tailoring and craftsmanship-focused presentation on April 11, and a streetwear showcase on April 12 produced in partnership with SwapMeetRVA.

Beyond the ticketed runway events, the organization plans to host free community pop-ups in the days leading up to the shows, with dates and locations to be announced on its website.

The season also includes community partnerships with Dress for Success Central Virginia, Girls For A Change, the American Cancer Society, and the Miss Grand International Pageant Organization.

“Producing one show is demanding, let alone a full week,” said James “Jimmy” Budd, co-founder and executive producer. “It takes thousands of details and a dedicated leadership team to deliver this experience for the Richmond community.”

Now in its 18th year, RVA Fashion Week was founded in 2008 and remains a fully volunteer-based production. The organization serves as a professional platform for Virginia’s designers, models, stylists, beauty professionals and artists.

All nightly events begin at 6 p.m. Tickets and the full schedule are available at rvafw.com.