9th Annual Ecolution Fashion Gala Stresses Creativity and Conservation

It’s amazing what one can do with garbage bags and recycled encylopedias, especially when you’re designer Brian David.

The Ecolution will not be televised, it will be happening in real life at Carnegie Museum. This fun, fashion forward event demonstrates what can be done to climb out of the ecological mess we’ve made for ourselves on planet Earth. The 9th Annual Ecolution Fashion Gala produced by Pittsburgh Earth Day, will be held, Wednesday, June 7.

The gala will feature an evening of eco-inspired fashions, food, libations, and sustainability. Ronda Zegarelli, founder of both the Acrobatique Agency, and Pittsburgh Earth Day said, “Bringing fashion, dance, art, music and creativity together with incredible talent in an exquisite venue, the Pittsburgh Earth Day Ecolution Runway show is one of the most unique fashion shows in Pittsburgh. Our creative team including Richard Parsakian, Emilio, and Gino from Izzazu and The Green Voice Collective bring together their artistic talents for the 9th year for an incredible fashion event at the Carnegie Museum of Art. In addition, we are excited to welcome a new dance commission by one of the most sought after choreographers in the world, Pittsburgh native and CAPA graduate, Kyle Abraham. His 2013 MacArthur ‘genius grant’ is one of the most prestigious awards an artist can receive in their lifetime. This unprecedented collaboration with the Ecolution sustainable fashion gala event will bring attention to Pittsburgh.”

If you are a tree-hugger, wear it proudly!

This year’s Ecolution Fashion Show, themed The Unseen World, will be emceed by WYEP/WESA’s Creative Services Director Brian Siewiorek. Highlights include a one-of-a-kind dance piece curated by Abraham. The featured dancer is Donovan Reed.  DJ Soy Sos will be spinning tunes throughout the evening. Gorgeous visuals and a special appearance of the first lady of Pittsburgh Drag, Kierra Drashell will also be sights to see. Leah Lizarondo, founder of 412 Food rescue, will receive the Model Citizen Award. The late Deb Docherty, longtime contributor to the Ecolution Fashion Gala, will also be honored.

Ecolution, curated by Richard Parsakian, owner of Eons Fashion Antique, has asked designers and artists to incorporate this year’s theme by creating wearable fashion through the use of sustainable, recyclable, and organic materials into stellar environmentally savvy ensembles that will address the environmental issues facing our planet. 

The encylopedia dress on the runway (photo: Brian David)

Local designers will create their own custom couture costumes for the runway show including: Brian David, James Houk, Mossy Lane and Suz Pisano along with Chrisitne Bethea, Glendon Hyde, Perlann Porter, Michael Nolan Kouri, Claudia Brownlee, Darrell, Kinsel, Terry Boyd, Randal Miller, Virginia Nicoll-Hernandez, Lana Newmeye, Karen Page, Charlotte Reichman, Bradford Mumpower, Brandy Wank, and Mila Muchnok. Hair and make-up are provided by Izzazu Salon, Spa and Blowout Bar with models from Docherty Model and Talent Agency walking the runway.

Creativity abounds at the Ecolution Fashion Gala.

The VIP portion of the evening, which starts at 6 p.m., features plant-forward appetizers, curated by Executive Chef Doug Genovese, in the Hall of Architecture along with two complimentary Finlandia vodka cocktails (VIP is sold out). At 7 PM, General Admission Plus includes Runway Seating ($100) and General Admission Standing Room Only ($50) can join the celebration with the official programming beginning at 8 PM. For tickets and more information visit the Pittsburgh Earth Day Ecolution Fashion Gala ticket page.

Presenting sponsors for the Pittsburgh Earth Day 9th Annual Ecolution Fashion Gala are Duquesne Light Company, Pitt Ohio, and UPMC Health Plan.

Photos Courtesy of Pittsburgh Earth Day.

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

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