Undressed Gala
When and where: Thursday night at The Frick Pittsburgh in Point Breeze.
#MentionTheUnmentionables: What does one wear to an underwear show? In this case, anything goes! “The invitation said ‘ from corsets to couture,’ so I did a bit of both,” laughed Jim Cassaro, who stood out in a black corset and bow tie. But he wasn’t the only one putting his skivvies on display. As guests made their way to the VIP champagne reception, they were greeted by a group of scantily clad models who happily posed for pictures with giddy patrons. “I channeled my inner Beyonce tonight,” said event co-chair Kiya Tomlin, wearing one of her own designs, a sheer black gown dotted with colorful flowers. After sipping some bubbly, guests were invited to check out “Undressed: A History of Fashion in Underwear.”
“I didn’t even get a chance to see the exhibit yet. I am so into the party and all of these fabulous people,” said Tim McVay attending with his husband, David Bush. Those of the 400 guests who did make it inside got a special treat. “No one else in the United States is getting this exhibition, and it’s truly a spectacular show,” said executive director Robin Nicholson.
The exhibit, which originated at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, looks at the history of underwear and how it shaped people and social and political commentaries of the times.
The party continued inside thecarriage house, which was beautifully draped in teal and fuschia linens by Mosaic Inc. “We wanted it to feel like a boudoir, but not cliche,” said event producer Tim Komen. With gilded chairs, chandeliersand a plethora of rich, colorful flowers, they surely succeeded.
I even got into the fun with my “Setting the SEEN” co-host Sara Bauknecht as we toured the party with a pop-up special, interviewing guests like event co-chair Peggy McKnight, Vivian Benter, Judy Linaburg, and many more fashionistas solidifying Frick as a fashion force to be reckoned with.
#SEEN: Dianne Nicholson, Sonnet Stanfill, curator of 20th century and contemporary fashion at the V&A Museum; Stuart Baird, consul for trade and investment, British Embassy; cochairs Jessica O’Brien, Cary Reed and Ina Gumberg; Nadine Bognar, Erin Szymanski, Catherine Loevner, Antoinette DePasquale, Steve McKnight, Kathe and Jim Patrinos, Nachum Golan and Steve Hough, Sandra and Sam Reiman, Joel and Mia Bernard, Donna Delle with daughter Lauren, Demeatria Boccella, Marylynn Uricchio and Doug Heuck, Lana Neumeyer, Ali Good and Brian Linville, Dr. Lisa Cibik and Bernie Kobosky, Cindy Nied and Charles Cullinan Nied, Joyce Candi Grove, Jackie Dixon, Christopher Hahn and Ron Booth, Izear Winfrey, Angela DeVanney, Heather Dougherty and Christina Salgado.