STRUT: Evolution, A Look at Richmond Virginia's Fashion Performance

What? STRUT: Evolution. STRUT is Virginia's largest fashion performance, unique to the Richmond community. It's a VCU student run and operated production, including fashion, visual art, dance, and other entertainment. This is its third year running and will be the biggest one yet!

Who? Justin Brooks Castonguay, Director and Creative Director of STRUT: Evolution, 2007

When? March 31, 6pm

Where? Alltel Pavilion Segal Center in Richmond, Virginia

I had a sit down interview with Justin Castonguay in my home today. As the project's "Grand Poobah" he gave me the inside information on what STRUT is all about, what we can expect to see during this year's performance and how this year's STRUT became his baby. I'll be attending STRUT: Evolution on the arm of Mr. Castonguay himself! Get the sneak peak here then come join us and experience fashion and art in a way that you never have before!

Q: Would you tell me about this year's theme?

Justin: "This year's theme STRUT: Evolution is a visual journey, the show takes the audience from the Garden of Eden, through prehistoric times into the dark ages, glimpsing the surreal and ending in modern urban life. Adam and Eve narrate the story adding a comical twist. Each scene will display modern fashions that were inspired by these periods throughout history. Nothing is original anymore."
"The last segment of the show dubbed, "glimpse forward" highlights three local designers collections demonstrating where they think fashion will be in the year 2015."

How did you gain the privilege of directing Virginia's premier fashion show?

"This is my third year working on STRUT and my seventh fashion show all together. My first year with strut I came in rather late with the project, actually the day before the show aired. I came in to be a dresser, but Racheal Erwin (Stage Manager 2005) ended up promoting me to head dresser; because I'm never afraid to offer my opinion. So thanks to my nosiness I was made head dresser, thus noticed by others working on the project, which led to me being back stage coordinator and fashion week manager."

"The second year the theme was International School of Strut, it was kind of like being back in high school, the committee was the faculty and all the models were the students. We really didn't start meeting as a committee until 3 months prior to the event. However, this year we started working on STRUT 2007 2 weeks after STRUT 2006!"

"There was an interview process and the committee was expanded creating lots of other job titles. Initially there were 20 people on the committee including faculty advisor Kelli Lemon, because I was the only STRUT alumni who did not graduate and because of my other experience I was made director and creative director of the whole project, which means I'm in charge of everything!"

What has been your biggest responsibility?

"The biggest responsibility was coming up with a theme and making sure everything we did fit in with that theme. Delegating responsibility, budgeting and creative problem solving were among some of my job duties during this project."

How did you come up with the theme?

"I have a very strong background in art. I wanted the theme to use visual art to tell the story that was floating around inside my head. Knowing that the average person would not have the same amount of art education as I, I knew I had to tweak the theme to satisfy my own craving yet still allow everyone to understand what I was trying to get across. Thus there was born, STRUT: Evolution. Not only did I combine art history, but also other stages of human development to write this story."

What should a person attending expect to see?

"The whole performance is fast paced and high energy, the audience will be constantly entertained through the entire 1 ½ show. Each scene as a very specific and apparent mood, the tone is set by the models walk and mannerisms, the music, clothing, visual elements on the big screens and other performers. This is not just a fashion show! We call this a fashion performance because first and foremost this is entertainment."

What type of attire should I wear?

"Going to a STRUT event is not unlike going to a trendy club to see live music; guests usually come in very chic clothes. Jjeans are acceptable, but they're usually dressed up. Sequence stilettos and suits are not uncommon."

Tickets are available at the Segal Center in Richmond and at the VCU student commons located at 907 Floyd Ave. Tickets are $7 with valid student id, $10 in advance and $15 for everyone at the door. Doors open at 5 pm, with vendor splendor (vendor showcase).

STRUT: Evolution is the grande finale to an entire week of fashion in the city of Richmond. Check out these other great events leading up to the sure to be amazing performance of STRUT: Evolution.

Richmond STRUTS on March 24 between 12-2 STRUT promotional models will become living models at certain vendor locations around the city.
On March 24th dance the night away with host Tiffany Devereaux and the 2007 strut models at the Garden of Eden party located at Godfrey's.

On Monday March 26 is Pamper Yourself Day, there will be 5 min makeovers done by Salon de Sol in the VCU Commons.

Tuesday March 27 is our old time photo day.

Wednesday March 28 is our t-shirt design competition, which is open to the public. Winners will receive free tickets to the show.

Thursday March 29 is our Strut Bazaar complete with student vendors, physics, stilt walkers, candy apples and other food and entertainment.

Also look for STRUT models at the monument 10 K March 31.

Fashion week will be rocking the city of Richmond, leading up to the much anticipated performance of STRUT