VCU, kidney foundation fashion shows

An upcoming fashion show, staged to raise awareness of organ donation, will feature models who have either given or received a kidney for transplant.

The inaugural Style for Life fashion show and luncheon, sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation of the Virginias, will take place Thursday at The Jefferson Hotel from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $50 per person.

April is Organ Donation Awareness Month. More than 100,000 people are waiting for lifesaving organs, and someone new is added to the list every 13 minutes. An average of 18 people on the waiting list die each day waiting for a donation.

For tickets or details, contact Lynn Williams at (804) 288-8342 or e-mail .

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The Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising will hold its annual juried fashion show Friday at 7 p.m.

"MUSE" will feature about 130 original garments designed by VCU fashion-design students and selected by a panel of fashion professionals. The show will be held in the VCU Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballrooms A and B, 907 Floyd Ave.

"MUSE" will include 16 segments of student-designed garments, ranging from evening wear to swimwear. The show will include a segment of street wear named Street Cycle, inspired by the up-and-coming urban dance and vintage mix trends.

Each collection was inspired by museums, including the Valentine Richmond History Center and Children's Museum of Richmond, the Museum of Geometric and MADI Art in Dallas and the Sports Museum in New York City. Many of the garments were designed with a focus on sustainable fabrics and recycled apparel.

Tickets are $35 for preferred seating, $25 for general admission, $20 for students and $5 for fashion students with a valid ID. Purchase tickets at the fashion office in Room 432 of the Pollak Building, 325 N. Harrison St., or by calling (804) 828-1699.

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VCU's fashion-design class of spring 2009 is sponsoring the third annual independent senior fashion show on May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Maymont Nature Center.

"We Sew Cool," sponsored by VCU's fashion-design seniors, the "We Sew Cool" fashion and entertainment blog and Rumors Boutique, will showcase an array of talents and offer an inside look at future fashion designers.

Tickets are $10 and are available at Rumors, 404 N. Harrison St. Proceeds will benefit Art 180, a Richmond-based organization that creates and provides art-related programs for young people living in challenging circumstances.