The 2013 RVA Look Book is a 228-page, locally produced tribute to the entrepreneurs, artists, visionaries and doers that make the Richmond region a place for creative people and organizations to grow and thrive. Designed for both the RVA-initiated and the RVA-curious, the book cracks open the region’s personality, brainpower and lifestyle in vivid photography, illustration and prose.
“The RVA Look Book is one more way that i.e.* and the Greater Richmond Chamber are elevating the region’s reputation as a cutting edge, lively and innovative place to live, start a business, relocate a home or business, and find resources and talent,” says Chrystal Neal, director of creativity and innovation for the Greater Richmond Chamber. Launched in June 2011, i.e.* works collaboratively to put Richmond on the international map for innovative excellence by showcasing the region’s diverse and vibrant community.
“The mix of local brands and culture represented in the RVA Look Book is pretty extraordinary,” says Lesley Bruno, director of marketing for the Chamber. “It’s also unmatched by any publication we know of. We’re getting the RVA Look Book into the hands of sponsors, contributors and residents locally, but also sending it to out-of-market contacts at publications like Forbes and the Atlantic, publications that are constantly monitoring the world’s hottest cities and regions.”
“We expect to produce a fresh RVA Look Book every several years, always with local designers, writers, photographers, illustrators and printers,” says Neal. “In addition to an amazing photo essay, the 2013 RVA Look Book was designed by Lauren Boynton and tells the story of how 40 local organizations and individuals are innovating in their fields, adding value to the lives of their employees and contributing to the greater good of the community.” These innovators each received a number of copies for use in recruiting new employees, educating current employees, or to otherwise promote the Richmond region.
“This is a high-quality publication that goes beyond boilerplate and delves into exactly what makes our region unique, progressive, quirky, innovative and, most of all, original,” says Neal. “The best and brightest people and companies are attracted to the most innovative cities; we’d like to see Richmond on their radars.”
The 2013 RVA Look Book is available for purchase locally at Chop Suey Books, Shields Market, RVA News, and more. For more information about i.e.* or to purchase a Look Book online visit www.ie-rva.org.