Pittsburgh Fashion Summit | Downtown CDC

The City’s first Fashion Summit dedicated towards ideas, education and collaboration for Pittsburgh’s fashion community.

The Downtown CDC and Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto’s office appreciates your attendance at the Pittsburgh Fashion Summit (PGHFS) in the Union Trust Building on February 24, 2020.

Below are some news coverage recaps of this year’s event:

Beauty professionals to bankers turn out for Pittsburgh’s first fashion summit. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Pittsburgh holds its first fashion summit (WTAE Pittsburgh Channel 4)

This Week in Photos Feb. 21 to Feb. 27, 2020 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Attending Pittsburgh’s First Fashion Summit (JennaXShank)

Pittsburgh’s first Fashion Summit charts a path for growth (Local Pittsburgh)

Photos from the Pittsburgh Fashion Summit

can be found below!

Photo Credit: Owen Rossi (NativeRelease)

An extended “Thank You” to Social Butterfly Magazine for providing the photo banner at PGHFS 2020. Photos from the Pittsburgh Fashion Summit & Social Butterfly Magazine step & repeat banner can be viewed below!

Topics covered:

• The Future of Brick and Mortar – management, sales, marketing, and customer relations will be covered.
• Using Social Media to Build a Brand – the significance of making a statement, selling through storytelling, and brand awareness. 
• How to Live a Fashionably Sustainable Life – a lecture on the slow fashion movement and the impact of sustainability on the fashion industry
• Co-Op: Funding the Maker’s Workshop – all about cultivating financial resources and skill sets for Pittsburgh’s makers.
• The Business of Modeling – how to walk, how to create a personal business plan, and different genres of modeling.

Full Schedule of Events and Workshop Details:

First Panel Discussion

In this panel discussion moderated by Tom Michael, Co-owner of Larrimor’s, panelists will discuss the future of brick and mortar stores. Management, sales, marketing and customer relations will be the topics covered.

Panelists:

• Lisa Slesinger, Co-Owner of Larrimor’s
• Mat Thorne of Rothschild Trading Company
• JoJo Sanchez of 306 Forbes Boutique

Simultaneous workshops will start at 2:45.

Here are the subjects we will discuss:

Attendees will choose one workshop class to participate in.

  

Second Panel Discussion

Moderated by Sonia McKoy, founder of Style Management Experience, the Craft and Maker’s Workshop is all about cultivating financial resources for Pittsburgh Crafts and Makers. Producers of handmade or hand-crafted items are encouraged to come and learn about how to finance their endeavors as well as learn about different sources of revenue.

Panelists:

• Adam Kenney – Craft Business Accelerator, Bridgeway Capital
• Carole Bailey – President and CEO, East End Cooperative Ministry
• David Conway – Manager, Partner4Work
• Tom Link – Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Urban Redevelopment Authority

Executive Summary

Mayor William Peduto and The Downtown Community Development Corporation will host Pittsburgh’s first ever Pittsburgh Fashion Summit on Monday, February 24, 2020 at the Union Trust Building. With an aim to put Pittsburgh on the fashion map, the Summit will include panel discussions, keynote speakers, workshops and networking events. These educational experiences will focus on taking ideas to fruition for designers, operating brick and mortar stores, online shops, and a special workshop for makers.

Opportunity

The Pittsburgh Fashion Summit will be open to everybody in the fashion community, from designers, makers and manufacturers to models and influencers. Regardless of the connection to fashion, be it a boutique, a jewelry store, a salon or shoes, everyone is welcome.

Around 400 people are expected to attend. The venue has a theater auditorium along with classroom space to accommodate four different workshops in addition to lunch and a networking event.

Features and Benefits

The Downtown CDC will announce six new fashion initiatives for the Pittsburgh Fashion Summit:

• Bringing local designers and boutiques together with the goal being the boutiques will carry the designers clothing lines
• A monthly spotlight on up and coming designers
• Discount ticket program to fashion shows and events
• Collaborating with educational institutions in regards to business classes
• A mentorship program
• A fashion directory

Target Audience

Members of the fashion community, designers, makers, retail business owners, clothing buyers (wholesale & retail), fashion enthusiasts and supporters.

Venue Space

Union Trust Building

501 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Event Format

Keynote speaker, roundtable panel discussion, workshop classes, and a lunch break in between. Evening networking event will follow.

Expected Attendance

250+participants

Event Schedule

• Check-in: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Lunch: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Mayor Peduto, Speaker: 1:00 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.
• First Panel Discussion: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• First 15-Minute Break: 2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• Workshops: 2:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Second 15-Minute Break: 4:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
• Second Panel Discussion: 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
• Networking, Appetizers, and Cocktails: 5:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Pittsburgh Fashion Week History (2016-PRESENT)

The Downtown CDC has organized PGHFW in the Downtown Pittsburgh area since 2016. For the past four years, PGHFW has assisted in showcasing the works of over 50 participating designers and continues to grow and network with Pittsburgh’s local fashion talent.

SILVER – $250

• Inclusion in all publicity and promotions
• Logo on the official PGHFW20 website
• Link to your information on the PGHFW20 website
• One (1) ad in the Downtown CDC E-newsletter “PGH Fashion Alert”
• One (1) article in the Downtown CDC E-newsletter “PGH Fashion Alert”
• One (1) ad in the Downtown CDC E-newsletter “The Downtowner”
• Two (2) tickets for the Pittsburgh Fashion Summit

GOLD – $500

• Inclusion in all publicity and promotions
• Logo on the official PGHFW20 website
• Link to your information on the PGHFW20 website
• Two (2) ads in the Downtown CDC E-newsletter “PGH Fashion Alert”
• One (1) article in the Downtown CDC E-newsletter “PGH Fashion Alert”
• Two (2) ads in the Downtown CDC E-newsletter “The Downtowner”
• Four (4) tickets for the Pittsburgh Fashion Summit

PLATINUM – $1,000

• Inclusion in all publicity and promotions
• Logo on the official PGHFW20 website
• Link to your information on the PGHFW20 website
• Five (5) ads in the Downtown CDC E-newsletter “PGH Fashion Alert”
• One (1) article in the Downtown CDC E-newsletter “PGH Fashion Alert”
• Five (5) ads in the Downtown CDC E-newsletter “The Downtowner”
• Complimentary vendor space at event venue (subject to availability)
• Eight (8) tickets for the Pittsburgh Fashion Summit

DIAMOND – $2,500

• Inclusion in all publicity and promotions
• Logo on the official PGHFW20 website
• Link to your information on the PGHFW20 website
• Twelve (12) ads in the Downtown CDC E-newsletter “PGH Fashion Alert”
• Two (2) articles in the Downtown CDC E-newsletter “PGH Fashion Alert”
• Twelve (12) ads in the Downtown CDC E-newsletter “The Downtowner”
• Complimentary vendor space at event venue (subject to availability)
• Logo on the Downtown CDC website for one (1) year
• Banner placement at event venue
• Monthly social media promotion (1 post/month)
• Twenty (20) tickets for the Pittsburgh Fashion Summit