For the Richmond we know, “fancy” doesn’t belong to the country club set. It doesn’t sip cocktails under chandeliers or care much about matching buttons. Here, fancy has dirt on its boots and glitter in its hair. It shows up to a protest in drag. It haunts the streets on Halloween in a costume held together with duct tape and conviction.
The Valentine’s latest exhibit, Fancy: Costumes, Characters and the Richmond Masque, isn’t about high society, it’s about high expression. It’s about how Richmonders dress up to say something, or sometimes just to be seen. And how those moments in the fleeting, messy, beautiful, somehow survive.
Inside, you’ll find 200 years of creative chaos. A black tutu from Brown Ballerinas for Change. A floral cone from the Cone Parade (yes, that’s a thing, we wrote about it). A mask straight out of GWAR’s apocalypse. A puppet from the Oregon Hill All Saints Theatre Parade that feels like it saw something it shouldn’t have.
There’s also a ball gown from the 1850s if you’re into that sort of thing. Paris. Diplomats. Decorum. It’s there. But the real magic is in the stuff that lived on porches, danced in parking lots, or shouted into a megaphone.
Curator Nichol Gabor calls it a “celebration of creativity.” She’s being polite. What it really is, is a tribute to a city that gets loud with its wardrobe. A place where clothing has always doubled as theater, camouflage, or protest sign — sometimes all three at once.
“This is a reintroduction to The Valentine’s costume collection,” said Director Bill Martin, in the kind of tone museum directors use when they’re actually having fun. “But more than that, it’s a reminder that what we wear especially when we’re being our boldest, weirdest, and most creative says something lasting about who we are.”
Fancy runs through January 25, 2026. Go see it. Especially if you’ve ever glued feathers to a hoodie, stitched your politics into a banner, or just wondered why Richmond always seems to be in costume. You’ll be in good company.
Photo by Michael Simon
Find more information HERE.
Support RVA Magazine. Support independent media in Richmond.
In a world where corporations and wealthy individuals now shape much of our media landscape, RVA Magazine remains fiercely independent, amplifying the voices of Richmond’s artists, musicians, and community. Since 2005, we’ve been dedicated to authentic, grassroots storytelling that highlights the people and culture shaping our city.
But we can’t do this without you. A small donation, even as little as $2 – one-time or recurring – helps us continue to produce honest, local coverage free from outside interference. Every dollar makes a difference. Your support keeps us going and keeps RVA’s creative spirit alive. Thank you for standing with independent media. DONATE HERE. Also, you can show your support by purchasing our merch HERE.
