On Thursday, 13 November, the charity fashion show VS hosted their 2026 Launch party, and I can undoubtedly say it made me excited to see what’s next for the collective. Clearly, they own up to their slogan, making sure they meet in the middle “where design and St. Andrews Intersect”. VS has dropped itself into nightlife this year by acknowledging its niche and supporting the organisation’s aesthetics.
The launch started with an exclusive committee dinner, followed by their public afterparty at Forgan’s restaurant. St Andrews isn’t known for its nightlife, with only one club and a few spaces to host, but launching VS26 at Forgan’s was a slightly genius move from the charity catwalk team. Of course, the preceding dinner was the primary motivation for choosing the venue. Still, the space felt exclusive, and the ambience matched the alluring aesthetic one would pair with the fashion world. The initial dinner was intended as an opportunity for the team and models to bond, as reflected in the evening that followed. I got to speak with the VS Executive Director, Gabriella Trauttmansdorff, about plans for their launch this year, and she explained how the team “wanted to do something that was going to strengthen the feeling of community” between VS and its guests.
The party started at 10:30 pm with a glimpse of the 2026 models. Gabriella previously said that VS26 wanted models not for their looks, but for their energy, and this creative vision stuck within their launch. The night blended from dinner to afterparty with a small performance from the models that helped the transition as guests arrived. Headlining student DJs helped to build the night up with great music, getting everyone onto the dancefloor. Guests were given a formal dress code and asked to wear red, orange, yellow, and black, all to create a “comfortable and welcoming” feel for the evening, said VS’s Creative Director Lynn Pustelnik. Â
The vision for VS this year was to expand across student life. The charity fashion show started as one of the first DJ collectives in St Andrews, so maintaining a stronghold in this town’s nightlife has been a consistent objective. However, their launch at Forgan’s restaurant was particularly interesting as they ventured away from their typical club nights towards something more chic. The evening didn’t rage on into the night, but that was understandable, seeing as we are in the depths of deadline season. It also added an element of ambience to the night – something short, sweet, and tasteful. I personally thought it made the evening more impactful. The night was fun yet classy, making it that much more unique.Â
The VS team showed great passion for where the rest of this year takes them, with a vision to expand their nightlife presence and a continued enthusiasm towards their collaborations with other societies and collectives. Of course, though, this launch was to welcome the collective’s 2026 vision and pave the way for their spring catwalk. It’s easy to get swept up in all the festivities, but VS has shown great pride in their charitable work these last few years, so far raising ÂŁ82,000 for a variety of charities. This year, the collective has partnered with the Desert Flower Foundation, a charitable organisation striving to end female genital mutilation.Â
The VS26 Launch Party not only created a space for creativity and inclusivity, but they asked each of us to “be a part of something bigger”. From the venue to the dress code to the events of the night, VS welcomed its guests and made the night something for all, which is why this launch was a success.Â