Teen Stylin’: Student fashion inspired by VMFA’s collection

AUTHENTICITY

Teen Stylin’ is a twelve-week program developed by VMFA Education staff and offered annually at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. It includes workshops in which students learn from professional fashion designers and industry specialists to create innovative garments inspired by VMFA’s collection.

Student designers will be assigned a work from VMFA’s permanent collection and, using creative construction and alternative material techniques, create wearable works of art. The theme “Authenticity” is inspired by the special exhibition Frida: Beyond the Myth from the Dallas Museum of Art. Student designers will take a closer look to discover more about the subject matter in works of art from VMFA’s collection and apply their interpretation to the design process.

Students in grades 6-12 can apply to one of the following:

1. Stylin’ Campus Series: This on-site program is open to all Virginia students in grades 6 through 12. Weekly workshops occur on Tuesday or Thursday evenings, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Enrollment is limited.
2. Stylin’ Independent Study: This program is available to students in grades 6 through 12 throughout the state who live more than 30 miles from the museum OR have previously participated in the Teen Stylin’ program. There is no enrollment cap.

All Teen Stylin’ students may sign up for a series of free Saturday “Stylin’ in the Studios” courses and work with artists and fashion designers to work on their designs and build on class instruction.

Students’ designs are showcased during a highly popular runway exhibition where a panel of professionals from the fields of art, design, and fashion select winners in the following categories: Best Overall, Best Use of Alternative Materials, Most Creative Construction, Best Interpretation of a Work of Art, Best Interpretation of the Theme, and Most Wearable.

Following the runway exhibition, the fashion renderings of all Teen Stylin’ participants and the winning garments are exhibited in VMFA’s Smurfit Westrock Art Education Center.

Learn How to Apply Here

IMPORTANT PROGRAM DATES FOR ALL SCHEDULES:

Application Deadline: Mon, Jan 13, 2025
Acceptances sent out: Fri, Jan 24, 2025

Campus Series Orientation: Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 6:30–8:30 pm
Independent Study Series Orientation: Sat, Feb 1, 2024, 2–4pm

A detailed syllabus and program calendar will be distributed during orientation.

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SCHEDULE OPTIONS

No workshops will be held over spring break, Mar 31-Apr 4, 2025.

Schedule I: Tuesdays 5:30–8:30 pm
Open to students in grades 6–12 (limited enrollment)

• Feb 4, 11, 18, and 25
• Mar 4, 11, 18, and 25
• Apr 8, 15, and 22
• Tue, Apr 29 open workshop for all students

Schedule II: Thursdays 5:30–8:30 pm
Open to students in grades 6–12 (limited enrollment)

• Feb 6, 13, 20, and 27
• Mar 6, 13, 20, and 27
• Apr 10, 17, and 24
• Tue, Apr 29 open workshop for all students

Schedule III: Independent Study
Open to students in grades 6–12 (unlimited enrollment)

Independent study is an option for statewide students grades 6 – 12 who live more than 30 miles from the museum OR have previously participated in the Stylin’ program. In-person attendance is only required at the orientation, dress rehearsal, and the runway show. Students have the option to sign up for “Stylin’ in the Studio” on Saturdays for additional mentorship and support.

Stylin’ in the Studios: Select Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm
Open to all students, limited enrollment.

• Mar 1, 15, and 29
• Apr 26

Dress Rehearsal for Runway Event:

• Thu, May 1, 2025, 5-9 pm

Required for all participants

Runway Event:

• Sun, May 4, 2025, 1-5 pm

Required for all participants