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100 Fifth Ave, Suite 614
Pittsburgh, PA 15222




In this Issue:
Pittsburgh Fashion Week's Runway Show

Pittsburgh Fashion Week (PGHFW) is hosting their annual runway show at PPG Place's Wintergarden for the second year in a row. The venue was chosen for "its great canvas", according to Creative Director Katherine Delgrande-Zesch. The Wintergarden will enhance PGHFW's mission to unite and promote the growing fashion industry by presenting emerging designers in the Pittsburgh region.
PGHFW is dedicated to inclusivity with all of their events. This is exemplified by their partnership with. Sephora.  "Sephora's philosophy coincides with ours in regards to diversity," according to John Valentine, Executive Director of the Downtown Community Development Corporation, parent organization for PGHFW. "We seek to use our strengths for greater good through social impact, sustainability, and diversity programs. Together, we're committed to creating a culture of belonging as we celebrate the beautiful diversity of our people and our clients" according to the 'about us' section of Sephora's website. 

Included in their sponsorship Sephora will be supplying the makeup used on this years runway. Sephora will also be offering fragrance sampling before the show. 

Delgrande-Zesch is committed to the creative direction in basically every aspect of the show. From hair and makeup, venue production, to working with the designers, diversity runs in the core of this show. She mentions that although the show last year was similar in this sense, there will be more diversity, more inclusivity, and especially more participation from fashion groups in Pittsburgh. 

Those working behind the scenes of this years PGHFW are not only concerned about the show, but also about making sure each person in the audience feels welcome. Delgrande-Zesch wants anyone watching to think, "I could be a model someday", because this show breaks the traditional model stigma. 

The eclectic mix of designers will fuel the message of diversity and inclusivity as well. The ten fashion artists not only have diverse backgrounds but will be showcasing their work using models from many different cultures. "We believe showcasing different cultures makes Pittsburgh Fashion Week not only more interesting but also educational", according to Mr. Valentine.

When it comes to hair and makeup, PGHFW's Glam Squad has established four unique looks which we cannot divulge today but you can attend the show to see for yourself. 

Pittsburgh Fashion Week's runway show will be happening on Thursday, October 3rd at 8:00 p.m. The VIP party at The Metropolitan nightclub starts at 6:00 p.m. and runs until 7:30.

Event information can be found on PGHFW's website.
PGHFW - The Fashion of Flesh Coordinator: TJ Harris

Meet the creative handler behind this years newest Pittsburgh Fashion Week event, The Fashion of Flesh. TJ Harris is a Pittsburgh based DJ, a published author and professional party-starter with more than 1,000 events on 3 continents since 2012. He focuses on delivering joy and fun to countless people through his work.

His success relies on his 15+ years of experience in event production, his 20+ years of DJ experience and his knowledge as a seasoned professional. He's completely dedicated to giving his full 100% execution to his clients, no doubt. On his website, you can personally book him for any special events and you can check out his array of open format radio mixes to give a preview- as he covers all genres and eras of music. He has opened for some of the largest names in Hip Hop/ EDM including Lil Dicky, Pigeon John, DJ Aphrodite and many more. His extensive list of awards from the Pittsburgh Underground Music Awards and the Pittsburgh City Paper. Working with corporate clients such as Victoria's Secret, Bar Louie, Crown Royal, etc. to working with couples on having the best wedding day experience- TJ's resume is nothing less than average.

In 2008, he opened his first brick and mortar business, "The Flying Cobra Tattoo Club". Though short lived, it left a lasting mark on both his mind and his skin. "As a heavily tattooed person, I know the troubles that come with society's perception of my image and have been denied work that I was overqualified for based on my image. Based on this, I thought it would be important to do something that allows everyone to know that tattoos are just beautiful permanent accessories and not gang related body modifications," says TJ. Thanks to his professional contacts and much help from friends that share his same vision he's been able to put together an event that he hopes will become an annual part of Pittsburgh's Fashion Week. 

Be sure to see TJ doing what he does best at our Fashion of the Flesh event, Wednesday, October 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at HIP At The Flashlight Factory.

Dress Haute-  Carrie Ann Lehrman

As a woman that has worked in retail for 21 years, Carrie Ann Lehrman is a seasoned veteran of fashion. Carrie Ann's store, Dress Haute, has been in business since 2010. With locations in Washington Crown Center Mall and South Hills Village Mall, Dress Haute is a bridal and special occasion boutique. 

"I design special occasion dresses for women of all sizes," she said. "Whether you are a size two or a size 24, you should feel beautiful."

"The best part of the job is working with customers and creating pieces that they can't find and in the end, they feel gorgeous."

Carrie Ann is a very accomplished designer, with a multitude of awards and nominations under her belt. She recently won the Biggest Beauty and Fashion Achievement award from "Style and Glam Magazine" and was a Fashion Designer of the Year nominee at "Art and Beauty Magazine" in New York City. She has participated in several New York Fashion Week events and her pieces have been worn by beauty pageant contestants for events such as Mrs. Pennsylvania, Miss Universal, and Miss New York. 

Along with dresses, she sells headbands, veils, shoes, jewelry, and handbags. From homecoming to prom to weddings and other occasions, Carrie Ann can do it all. 

It is easy to tell that Carrie Ann lives and breathes fashion as a full-time designer and business owner. She is very passionate about her job and loves to see a satisfied customer. Her favorite aspect of her business is bringing confidence to the surface and ensuring her clients feel gorgeous.

"Each piece has a story to it, and each individual customer that comes in has a different idea," She said, also explaining that she struggled with self-image in the past. "As long as they are happy in the end, that is most important. No matter small or curvy, everyone has something they're trying to overcome."
The 18th Annual Garbage Bag Gala

The production of The 18th Annual Garbage Bag Gala is happening this fall and will be  held at the Sheraton Hotel in Station Square, which will include a fashion show and silent auction. The show, emceed by KDKA's Susan Koeppen will begin at 6:30pm on October 10th. 

The gala aims to "promote the idea that everyone and everything deserves a second chance to be great." As part of their initiative, the proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army Family Caring Center. To add to the fun, all creations for the show are made from repurposed garbage bags or other recycled materials. All  pieces worn on the runway will be crafted and curated by an array of local Pittsburgh designers. The Garbage Bag Gala designers not only have a chance to give new life to these recyclable resources, but also action to provide temporary housing and meals for local families in need. The Center provides aid for each family's needs based on what they're experiencing. 

The Gala has been successful for years and all designs are always original. Last years, 2018's emcee Celena Pompeani wore a dress made out of trash bags. More information about the Gala, ticket sales, and past experiences can be found on the 2019 Event page of their website.
Ten Toes Fall Fashion  Show

Shadyside shoe store, Ten Toes, will be providing Pittsburghers with an amazing show to introduce the newest fashions for this fall and winter. Companies from around the country will be making their way to Shady Grove with entire lines in tow. According to Brian Frankel, who co-owns Ten Toes with his uncle Ron Friedman, "The companies show every style that they make, so all fall, winter [designs] will be there that night. I'm excited to see what the customers like". 

This will be Ten Toes' fifth semi-annual show. Frankel and Friedman decided to start putting on these events because "every time we go to buy shoes, I'll tell girls I'm going to a shoe show and every girl says 'oh I wish I could go to a shoe show'. So then I started calling companies and put it together for here," Frankel says. 

The event will take place from 5 PM to 10 PM on September 24th on the second floor of Shady Grove. In attendance will be companies such as Chinese Laundry, Coolway, J. Renne, and Volatile. Frankel says there will also be two brand new vendors who are a secret: "They're shoe lines that no one has ever seen before. We're excited for the customers to see them and we're excited to see if the customers like these shoes too."

Free wine and food will be provided, and Ten Toes will be picking two attendees an hour to win a free pair of shoes from a specific brand. It will be totally free to the public! Foot models will be there to try on the shoes and let potential customers know how they fit. If you're looking to buy shoes at the show, you can order them there and Ten Toes will have the pair in stock in three days.
Sometimes New, Sometimes Rotten

Jules Przybylska and Tim Nelson-Pyne are a Fashion Week designer duo. Both attend Carnegie Mellon University-- Nelson-Pyne for architecture, while Przybylska is self-defined. As a designer, Jules has a focus on textiles and sustainable materials. New to Pittsburgh, Jules and Tim want to present a fresh, youthful take on punk fashion. Their work takes on futuristic and genderfluid themes, sending messages that can't be put into words. 

Jules and Tim have been friends since they started college at CMU. Now juniors, they say they work well together. 

"If one of us is having trouble, the other is there to help," Jules said. "We balance each other out."

"It's also all about being super honest with each other," Tim added. "Sometimes to the point where it hurts. Something we've learned is it's important to trust the other person and let them run with it. You have to let the other person start and you find later it was a really good idea."

The duo recently launched a website for their brand, Sometimes New Sometimes Rotten. Sometimesnewsometimesrotten.com will showcase both original and vintage designs along with textiles. 

"Rotten is reused vintage, the grungey side," said Jules. "And the 'new' is more glamorous." Both sides value the sustainability and recycling of fabrics. 

For Fashion Week, Jules and Tim are taking on a utopian feel in their clothing line. Genderfluid pieces that propose an "alternate future" will be made out of sustainable, eco-friendly material. Tim and Jules also make it a point to design clothes that mean to draw attention. 

"If you're too shy to say something out loud or can't put an idea into words," Tim said. "We want to help people express themselves through clothing."







*Photography and media sourced from 3rd party sites in no way implies support or affiliation with the Pittsburgh Downtown Community Development Corp., or any partners.

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