When RVA Fashion Week was created in 2008 by a small group of VCU students, there were few opportunities for students of fashion in Richmond after graduation.

“It used to be that students right out of college had to move to other cities to have a career in fashion,” says Jimmy Budd, executive producer of the event. “We wanted to change that so they could follow their passion and stay in Richmond.”

Budd also wears other hats, including general manager at 707 Fine Clothing, a family-run business since 1978, and as part owner of Vagabond, a restaurant and special event venue.

But his passion really shines brightest with RVA Fashion Week, where he is able to give young designers, models, photographers, musicians and entrepreneurs an outlet to showcase their talents. Multiple events during the week are held across the region to encourage diversity and introduce people to myriad venues, with proceeds benefitting local nonprofits such as FeedMore. Masked models, virtual presentations and temperature checks at the door were all adaptations that allowed Fashion Week to continue safely during COVID.

When it comes to the 15-person team that makes Fashion Week happen every year, Budd sees his job as two-fold: “There are lots of details, so I have to problem solve on a daily basis,” he says. “But my main function is making sure team morale is as high as possible, then motivating people.”

Don’t be surprised if RVA Fashion Week continues to grow and make a name for itself. By empowering team members to take over tasks he used to handle, Budd is focusing on strategic partnerships that can allow events to be more structured and innovative. One such partnership is with the VMFA’s Teen Stylin’ program, the members of which have a runway show during the 14th annual RVA Spring Fashion Week, coming up April 25- May 2.

“That’s a perfect example of how we want to integrate with the community,” Budd says.