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Mayor's office, DCDC plan Pittsburgh Fashion Summit

Steph Chambers/Post-Gazette

Mayor's office, DCDC plan Pittsburgh Fashion Summit

Why celebrate Pittsburgh fashion just once a year? The Downtown Community Development Corp. has partnered with Mayor Bill Peduto’s office to hold a Pittsburgh Fashion Summit in early 2020 and roll out six fashion-focused initiatives to mentor the region’s growing pool of designers and makers.

Downtown Community Development Corp., which took the reins of Pittsburgh Fashion Week four years ago, announced the plan Thursday.

“The mayor and I both agree fashion is an economic development tool,” said John Valentine, executive director of the DCDC. “But we also feel the fashion community needs leadership. We can provide that.” 

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Mr. Valentine said the one-day summit will likely be held in late February, but the venue and exact date have not been determined. Organizers want to accommodate at least 500 people with workshops, networking opportunities, a keynote speaker, a panel discussion and an address by Mayor Peduto. 

A look by Oona Natesan on the runway during Pittsburgh Fashion Week 2018 in September at the Wintergarden at PPG Place, Downtown. The designer fashion show returns to the space on Thursday.
Sara Bauknecht
A tattoo runway show is part of Pittsburgh Fashion Week

Other initiatives include:

• Bring Pittsburgh-based designers and boutiques together in hopes that local stores will carry their lines.

• Offer discounts and a VIP ticket program to fashion shows and related events. 

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• Create an interactive directory for designers, models, salons and other creatives.

• Collaborate with educational institutions for business and other classes.

• Establish a mentorship program for new designers. 

• Spotlight an up-and-coming designer each month in Pittsburgh Fashion Alert, a digital newsletter by the DCDC. 

John Valentine and Charissa Lauren.
Natalie Bencivenga
Pittsburgh Fashion Week's Kickoff Party

Mr. Valentine said that developing these initiatives was “a true partnership” with Mayor Peduto.

“Something like this is a new and fresh idea,” said Keyva Clark, a communication analyst in the mayor’s office who’s been part of early talks about the projects. “I think it will be exciting to expand from Pittsburgh Fashion Week to a fashion summit.”

The catalyst was a conversation Mr. Valentine had with Mayor Peduto about fashion. 

“He said to me, ‘Why can’t we be like Milan?’ I said, ‘Wow, that’s pretty ambitious,” Mr. Valentine recalled. “The mayor said, ‘Every journey starts with a first step.’”

Since then, they’ve been working together.

“The only thing that could limit us is me saying we can’t be Milan,” Mr. Valentine said. “I think this has the potential to be something great.”

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

First Published: October 3, 2019, 7:00 p.m.

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Jennifer Troiano adjusts the hair of model Sarah Powers on Wednesday before "The Fashion of Flesh," a part of Pittsburgh Fashion Week, at Hip at the Flashlight Factory in the North Side. Fashion Week is run by Downtown Community Development Corp.  (Steph Chambers/Post-Gazette)
John Valentine and Charissa Lauren at the 2019 Pittsburgh Fashion Week kickoff night at Il Tetto in Downtown on Monday.  (Christian Snyder/Post-Gazette)
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