Vignelli Center hosts fashion show

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The Vignelli Center for Design Studies at RIT, in partnership with the industrial design program, is hosting a runway fashion show featuring the work of RIT alumni beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 27.

The “Peppermint: Sewn Seeds” event will feature apparel designs by Tanvi Asher, who graduated with an MFA degree from RIT’s industrial design program in 2009. Asher owns Shop Peppermint LLC, a designer apparel boutique that will be presenting its debut fashion show. The event also features RIT graduates and emerging local designers Josean Vargas and Andrea Geer.

The doors at the Vignelli Center will open at 4 p.m. Featuring a 40-piece collection, the runway show will begin at 4:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Girls Rock! Rochester, a local nonprofit that works to empower girls through music education and training.

Asher opened the doors to Peppermint in the Park Avenue neighborhood about a year ago, taking a collection of garments from her master’s thesis at RIT and growing them into a lifestyle brand, including tops, outerwear, knits and accessories. Since starting out, she has expanded her line to eight boutiques across the country.

RIT grads Vargas and Geer have been quickly making names for themselves as well. Vargas’ pieces combine comfort and high fashion, while Geer creates knitwear that is hand-loomed with distinguishing colors.

Tickets for the event are $40 for VIP seating (including access to an after-party at Trata Restaurant at the Armory), $20 for general admission, and $10 for students with ID. Tickets are on sale at RIT’s Shop One² inside the Global Village; Shop Peppermint, 121 Park Ave..

As part of the runway show, the Vignelli Center for Design Studies will introduce “Vignelli On Design,” an exhibit that will offer visitors a first-time look at the Vignellis’ clothing design process.

“The Vignellis started to design clothing when they realized that they needed clothing that was timeless and functional—clothing that went ‘beyond fashion,’” says Katie Nix of the Vignelli Center for Design Services. “Visitors will be able to see large posters featuring images of a selection of artifacts about clothing design from our archive. Artifacts include Massimo Vignelli’s clothing sketches, handwritten notes about clothing design as well as photographs of the Design: Vignelli clothing collection.”