Local preppy streetwear brand Urban Academy unveiled its fall collection Monday night during the “Varsity Club Fashion Show” at Brickwood Barbecue.  

The show featured 13 new designs that merged collegiate athletic wear with modern fashion trends. Models walked a runway styled like a school hallway, displaying hand-sewn varsity jackets, plaid mini skirts, and jersey-numbered sweaters while music from the year 2000 played.  

“This is revealing our fall collection, and this season we’re really focused on athleticism,” said Sherry Nguyen, Urban Academy’s designer. “We kept our preppy staples like varsity jackets but leaned more into athletic wear.”  

Nguyen founded Urban Academy in 2022 to reimagine traditional preppy fashion with streetwear elements and celebrate inclusivity.  

“This brand embraces change while honoring tradition,” Nguyen said. “How can we improve and move forward while respecting the past? That’s at the heart of our journey.”  

The collection also featured contributions from Mason Miles and Diamond Wilson, recent Virginia Commonwealth University graduates. Miles, the designer behind the label Dress for Yourself, worked on varsity jackets and quarter-zip sweaters.  

“[Nguyen’s] aesthetic is preppy and formal. Mine’s more vibrant and in-your-face,” Miles said. “We had to find a balance between our styles.”  

Wilson, the founder of the fashion line Dimez, highlighted the importance of recognizing emerging Black designers in the fashion industry.  

“Representation is very important,” Wilson said. “It’s about showing others they can do it too. As minorities, we face challenges, but we continue to shine and grow.”  

Jon Cope, creative arts and culture coordinator at Oakwood Arts, echoed Wilson’s sentiment.  

“It’s the future, and it’s our time to make statements,” Cope said. “Black and brown designers have been silenced for too long. Now is our moment to shine.”  

Nguyen hinted at more to come for Urban Academy.  

“You’ll have to tune in,” she said. “Season three is coming.”