Beauty professionals to bankers turn out for Pittsburgh's first fashion summit

It was a day of discussions, designers and dreams for the future at the first Pittsburgh Fashion Summit held Monday in the Union Trust Building, Downtown. 

The daylong event, packed with mingling, panel talks and workshops, was produced by the Downtown Community Development Corp. in partnership with Mayor Bill Peduto's office. 

In 2016, the DCDC 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 like the summit.

"The goal here is to get Pittsburgh on the map as a fashion city, but it's more than that," DCDC executive director John Valentine said Monday in his opening remarks. "It's to offer the tools that are needed for people who want a career in the fashion industry so they can stay here. They don't have to go to another city. They don't have to go to New York City and spend five times as much for rent. You can stay here."

Gear up for Pittsburgh's first fashion summit on Monday
Mayor Peduto — who was a bit fashionably late — echoed that sentiment in his address. 

"Right now we're at a critical crossroads," Mr. Peduto said, acknowledging that Pittsburgh has lost some of its fashion creatives to other cities. "What I envision with this is just like South by Southwest [film festival in Austin, Texas], this is something that grows." 

He added that design is part of Pittsburgh's lifeblood and legacy.

"We built every skyscraper and every bridge but within that is engineering and design," he said. While the tech community has been booming, he added that the design industry also needs the city's support. 

The summit's programming explored some of the challenges and opportunities Pittsburgh's fashion industry is facing to bring those goals to fruition. Tom Michael, co-owner at Larrimor's, moderated a panel discussion on the future of brick-and-mortar stores. Panelists Mat Thorne of Rothschild Trading Co., Lisa Slesinger of Larrimor's and JoJo Sanchez of 306 Forbes boutique weighed in on the role of brick-and-mortar stores in today's e-commerce world and how websites, social media and storefronts can work together. 

Another panel discussion examined some of the financial and technical resources available to the region's designers. 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 weighed in on how their respective organizations contribute to that. 

The workshops tapped experts in modeling, social media and sustainable fashion to share insights on everything from model comp cards and capsule wardrobes to cultivating new business on Instagram. The day concluded with a networking reception.

Pittsburgh Fashion Alliance to offer workshops, discounts and more
Beyond the programming, one of the most standout things about the summit was the diversity of the people it attracted. Sure, there were Pittsburgh-based designers, stylists, models and photographers but also educators, financial advisers and others from outside the city. 

"I would like to feel more connected to the big city," said Ellen Dayan, owner and principal designer for Tiger Lily, an eco-couture dress shop in Beaver Falls. She attended the summit with Shelby Black-Couch, also of Beaver Falls, who sells Trades of Hope jewelry made by woman rising out of poverty across the world.

"I'd like to learn, but I'd also like to collaborate. I think it's exciting that people from all kinds of background are coming together," Ms. Dayan added. 

V.J. Cox, a relationship banker, attended to learn more about the city's burgeoning fashion industry. 

"Every bank has community outreach. I came out to learn more and to see what I can to do contribute," he said. "I like being able to take that financial advice and help [designers and local boutiques] as they grow their business and grow their community."

No matter why people turned out or what workshops they attended, there was a common theme that ran throughout the summit.

"The lesson for today is if you have a great idea, go ahead and do it,"  said panel moderator Sonia McKoy. 

Sara Bauknecht: sbauknecht@post-gazette.com or on Twitter and Instagram @SaraB_PG.