Lights! Glamour! Action!
When and where: Sunday night at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown
#AndTheOscarGoesTo…. The Pittsburgh Film Office for putting on another fantastic event! “This is our 18th year, and this party really is the life blood of our organization so to see all of the support tonight is really spectacular,” said director of the PFO Dawn Keezer, who was dripping in diamonds by Brilliant Nuevo Diamonds. As guests walked the red carpet, they could pause to take in a new aspect of this year’s event: A fashion competition featuring the logo design of the PFO: Rated PGH.
“We were looking for construction, creativity, good use of fabric and of course an inspired way of incorporating the logo,” said judge Lisa Freeman. My personal favorite? I loved the wonderment and excitement of Gerald Love’s design. “Spring is approaching and I wanted it to be as vibrant as possible. This is my own spin on red carpet glamour,” he said. Other standouts included Gabriela Droz’s Parisian take on the Queen of Hearts.
“This is my modern day interpretation of what she would look like,” she said. And the winner? Brooke Mordaunt for her interpretation and use of materials. “The construction was flawless,” said Ms. Freeman. Along the carpet were more surprises, like the Glam Cam hosted by Emilio Cornacchione and Gino Chiodo of Izzazu’s Salon, Spa & Serata. You might have even seen Sally Wiggin being interviewed by YaJagoff Podcast, too! Guests could also enjoy watching the real show on the big screen inside the elegantly decorated ballroom.
Watch cakes being decorated right in front of your eyes by Frosted Envy and Bella Christie & Lil Z’s. As an homage to “Mindhunter,” a Netflix crime drama filmed in Pittsburgh, guests could have their handwriting analyzed and watch sketch artists at work. To top it off, partygoers enjoyed musical stylings by Carnegie Mellon University’s The Originals a cappella group before enjoying treats such as cult favorite Duck Donuts and models carrying umbrellas with cotton candy for anyone to enjoy. Sounds like a sweet way to spend the night, indeed!
#SEEN: Event co-chairs Don and Cindy Whiting, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald (getting into the spirit of things with a bowtie made of film), Andrew Stockey, Guy Costa, Doug Nolder and Philip Ferland, Suzanne Mauro, who helped spearhead the fashion competition; judges Aire Plitcha Reese, Michele Reid and Lana Neumeyer. Also #SEEN: Adnan Pehlivan, Navin Bhambhwani and event producers Theresa Kaufman and Shari Zatman, working their magic yet again.