“That Victoria was able to take something as huge as New York Fashion Week and bring it to a local scale and [is] still making it huge … is amazing,” says Rebecca Sturm-Clauser, director of marketing and membership for the Retail Merchants Association…

Shaun Spencer-Hester, ShuanDesign

At the age of 9, Spencer-Hester began learning to pattern clothes and sew from her grandmother Thelma Howard, a Chicago hatmaker and seamstress. She took some fashion design and architecture courses in college while majoring in interior design. Spencer Hester recently designed a custom jacket for retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin to wear during his current book tour.

Organizers say the purpose is to highlight the area as a shopping destination, and put the spotlight on emerging designers. “It’s a way to generate more awareness about them and give them the opportunity and platform to showcase their work and to become more known in the community,” 

LYNCHBURG, VA - Throughout the month of September, Fashion Week is celebrated across the country. And for the first time, Central Virginia is hosting its own. Organizers for Let’s Talk Fashion Virginia say throughout the week different boutiques, retailers, and fashion designers will display their products made locally and host various events.

‘The purpose of Central Virginia Fashion Week 2017 is to promote and generate awareness of locally owned retail stores and boutique shops in the Central Virginia area, as well as highlighting the local talent in our area, including models and emerging fashion designers,’ said Victoria Watts, the founder and executive director of Let’s Talk Fashion Virginia, which produces CVFW

For the first time in Central Virginia history, Let’s Talk Fashion Virginia will present the first annual Central Virginia Fashion Week 2017! Think New York City, but in the greater Lynchburg area this fall: September 11-16. There will be in-store events happening throughout the week, including debuts from emerging fashion designers from within the Central Virginia region.