Next Monday kicks off a new chapter for Pittsburgh Fashion Week. With a fresh website, updated social media handles, new perspectives within the executive team and a creative partnership with This is Red Agency, Pittsburgh Fashion Week is setting a tone for longevity and influence.
This will be the third year the Downtown Community Development Corporation (DCDC) will be organizing the event with Executive Director, John Valentine, at the helm. The board is made up of professionals championing the local fashion scene: Elysia Newman, Creative Director; Suzanne Mauro, Producer; Renee McCafferty, Co-Producer; Anastasiya Maksakova, Director of Outreach; Katherine DelGrande, Director of Hair & Makeup; Reese Randall, PR Coordinator and John Gurman, Head Wardrobe Stylist.
Including the board, there are approximately 200 volunteers working collectively to execute and promote the events surrounding Pittsburgh Fashion Week. Fashion enthusiasts and those looking to support the growth of the fashion industry within the city will not want to miss out.
The Kickoff Celebration: The Social (Sept. 17th)
The Social marks the first event of Pittsburgh Fashion Week and is free to the public. It will be held on Monday, September 17th at Sienna Mercato’s rooftop from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Due to limited capacity, if you plan on attending, send your RSVP to press@pghfw.com. This is set to be a premier fashion networking event in the city.
The Future of Fashion: The Panel (Sept. 19th)
From technology insurgence to the state of retail to color forecasting, the fashion industry in Pittsburgh and as a whole is changing rapidly. Pittsburgh Fashion Week wants to provoke discussion around these buzzed fashion topics with the leading experts in the fields. Thus, The Panel: The Future of Fashion was created.
The Panel will be held on Wednesday, September 19th at the offices of Truefit in the Union Trust Building from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $35 for general admission and $25 for students. Panelists include Amanda Cosco, Founder of Electric Runway; Gemma Sole, COO and Co-founder of Nineteenth Amendment and Dee Schlotter, Senior Marketing Manager of PPG Industries. For more information on the panelists, check out the Facebook event.
**Please note, The Panel is currently sold out. Standing Room Only tickets may be added this week. Tune into Pittsburgh Fashion Week’s Facebook and Instagram for latest on this event!
Celebrate Local Talent: The Runway (Sept. 20th)
Of course, it isn’t a fashion week without a fashion show! The Runway will be held on Thursday, September 20th at the Wintergarden at PPG Place. General admission tickets are $35 and VIP tickets are $100. The show begins at 8:30 p.m. and doors open at 7:30 p.m. VIP ticket holders will be invited to a VIP Pre-Party from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. as well as enjoy designated seating.
The runway show is set to showcase established as well as rising Pittsburgh designers. This local group of talent was selected based on their comprehensive point-of-view, ability to execute and present a complete, technical skill as well as other criteria. Over 50 designer applications were received with seven designers selected for the show:
- André Jones
- Anna Lemley
- Bernice Yu
- Elaine Healy x KING RELD by Sarah Jane Sindler
- Lauria Pascuzzi
- Mad Recital by Richard Ramirez and Sean E. Matzus
- Oona Natesan
The team behind #PGHFW has secured sponsored support for the show to ensure designers can concentrate on the execution of their collection. Each designer will show a 10 to 12-piece collection. TIGI® will be providing all the hair products for the show, ModCloth will be providing shoes for the designers to utilize with their looks and Bella Capelli Academy, a Paul Mitchell Partner School, will be providing behind-the-scenes support.
With an array of diverse perspectives, the collections are sure to stun and inspire. Click here for more background about each designer. Click here to purchase your tickets. They are going fast!
Shop the Looks at Luna Boutique in Sewickley (Sept. 28th & 29th)
The weekend following Pittsburgh Fashion Week, you can shop select runway looks in person at Luna Boutique in Sewickley. Luna will host a free evening cocktail reception on Friday, September 28th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. where guests can interact with the local designers as well as purchase their creations. These select runway pieces will be available for purchase on Saturday, September 29th as well during Luna’s boutique hours (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.).
There are designers, such as Richard Ramirez and Sean E. Matzus of Mad Recital, who have committed to keeping their looks at Luna Boutique through the end of October. This gives the Pittsburgh community more time to support and shop the runway looks. Tune into Luna Boutique’s Instagram for updates on the length of stay for each designer.
The fashion industry in Pittsburgh is evolving. It is an emerging identifier of the city. Pittsburgh Fashion Week aims to elevate and support the movement, not only this year, but for years to come.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.