Pittsburgh’s first fashion summit is Monday
The Downtown Community Development Corp., in partnership with Mayor Bill Peduto’s office, will present the first Pittsburgh Fashion Summit on Monday.
The daylong event in Downtown’s Union Trust Building will feature panel discussions, workshops, an address from the mayor and a networking mixer. The summit is part of the DCDC’s mission to provide resources for the city’s burgeoning fashion community and to raise awareness of its designers, boutiques, stylists, models and other industry professionals. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 for students and $25 on Monday.
In 2016, the Downtown Community Development Corp. took the reins of Pittsburgh Fashion Week, which veteran model Miyoshi Anderson started in 2010. Earlier this month, the DCDC announced the creation of the Pittsburgh Fashion Alliance, a membership-driven group that will offer educational workshops, scholarships, a directory and fashion-focused events.
The summit’s purpose is to bring people together, says DCDC executive director John Valentine, who worked with the mayor’s office and others to produce the event.
“The hope is that you can meet people, mingle, and we can all grow together,” he says.
Rather than a runway show, the summit will deal with the nuts and bolts of fashion as a business. Workshops will cover how to use social media to build a brand, the business of modeling and how to live a fashionably sustainable life.
There also will be two panel discussions. The first will explore the future of brick-and-mortar stores with Larrimor’s co-owners Lisa Slesinger and Tom Michael; Mat Thorne of Rothschild Trading Co.; Michele Wehrle of Get Dressed Formal; and JoJo Sanchez, owner of 306 Forbes boutique.
Stylist Sonia McKoy will moderate the afternoon panel discussion on financial resources for Pittsburgh makers with Adam Kenney of Bridgeway Capital’s Craft Business Accelerator; Carole Bailey, president/CEO of East End Cooperative Ministry; David Conway, Partner4Work manager; and Tom Link, director of innovation and entrepreneurship for the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
The goal is to attract about 250 attendees. Guests are welcome to come for the full day or for select programming.
Go to www.pghfw.com/pghfashion-summit for information.