DESIGNERS WEIGH IN

Designers who have participated in Style Week Pittsburgh share their thoughts on the evolution of the city’s fashion community over the past five years and their hopes for the future: “One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed is that several non-profits are now having fashion shows to raise money for their organizations. Plus, more museums are bringing in fashion exhibitions and more designer stores have opened at Ross Park Mall, Airmall at the Pittsburgh Airport and The Block Northway.”

— Lana Neumeyer’s Brazilian-inspired collections were part of Style Week Pittsburgh’s first runway show. Her new collection will be shown opening night. “Why are there no shows for people who are selling lines? ... You need to put designers on a track to help them sell. The business has changed a lot because of retail folding so much, with more fashion being sold online. I think that might be the way a lot of people are thinking of going.”

— Designer James Houk’s ready-to-wear collections have been sold in Barney’s NY and featured at New York and Los Angeles fashion weeks. He presented a retro collection at Style Week Pittsburgh in 2016. “I see a lot more people coming together and having a larger conversation about what defines the fashion and style industry. Manufacturing is a huge thing, as well as resources for designers. Sometimes student designers graduate and they’re not sure what to do next. Some kind of service or platform to help really get designers going professionally would be huge.”

— Elaine Healy, a 2012 graduate of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh’s fashion design program, will have her first Style Week Pittsburgh runway show this year.