It's time to put those fashion-criticism skills you've learned from watching Project Runway to use. Eleven collections, including clothing inspired by the Philippines, black-and-white day dresses, cocktail and evening wear, custom blue jeans, and soft loungewear, will be revealed on the runway at VCU's Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising 2008 Annual Juried Fashion Show, "Digital Threads," on May 2. A highlight this year will be a line of chemotherapy-friendly clothing, the outcome of a two-semester research and design program at VCU funded by Cotton Inc. Students created loose but hip loungewear to make cancer treatments more comfortable for children and young adults. These garments will actually be produced, with all profits going to ASK, the philanthropic arm of the pediatric-cancer unit at VCU Medical Center. The focus for this year's fashion show — "Digital Threads" — was chosen to reflect the technological advances taking place in fashion design, including modern technology that's involving international fashion critics in the design process. "We're very excited about the theme," says Karen Videtic, chair of the department of fashion design and merchandising. May 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets $25 to $35, or $20 with student ID. VCU Student Commons, Grand Ballroom, 907 Floyd Ave. Ticketing information at VCU's Fashion Office, Pollak Building, Room 432, 325 N. Harrison St., 828-1699 or pubinfo.vcu.edu/artweb/fashion/news .
