Arts Alive! is set to make a dramatic entrance at Rhode Island Fashion Week’s youth segment on Sunday, Sept. 22, with a theatrical twist. The community-based theater organization will bring villain-inspired fashion to the runway, with young actors modeling costumes inspired by some of fiction’s most infamous characters.

Costume designers Elena Parkhaeva and Nicole Kemp have curated the villain-themed collection, which will be showcased by Arts Alive! actors. 

Dena Davis, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Arts Alive!, said the nonprofit group is excited about the upcoming event.

“We are thrilled to hit the runway and showcase some costumes created by our incredible costume design team,” Davis said. “And who better to model these pieces than our young cast, taking on the roles of theatre’s most dastardly villains?”

The event highlights a partnership between Arts Alive! and Rhode Island Fashion Week, a collaboration that reflects a shared commitment to the arts and community. 

Yemi Sekoni, Founder and Executive Producer of Rhode Island Fashion Week, said the fashion event is more than just a runway. 

“It’s a platform where creativity meets community, and emerging talent is given the opportunity to shine,” she said. “This event is not just about fashion—it’s about fostering connections, inspiring the next generation, and celebrating the unique voices that make our industry so vibrant.”

The villain-themed fashion show will take place at Farm Fresh Rhode Island in Providence, starting at noon on Sunday. Attendees can expect an afternoon of fashion and entertainment as these young performers showcase their theatrical and modeling talents. Tickets are available online at fashionweekri.com or can be purchased at the door.

The following actors will take the stage for Arts Alive!: Rex Rassmussen, Sofia Riazi, Reese Humm, Louelyn Moores, Wilder Battersby, Henry Stradtman, Lynora Kemp, Graycia Battersby, Scarlett Snape, Colin Fortin, Hugo Stradtman, Archer Santo, Piper Santo, Mia Delmage, Marielle Guertin, Juliette Koenigsberg, Milena Lamontagne, Jane Moores, Vivi Perkins, Layla Riazi, Florence Ring, Seamus Folan, Gracie Romero, Djuna Kemp, Olivia Machado and Isaac Alden-Scherme.