PGHFW20: Panel Discussions

Moderator: Nikki Brown is the owner of Reserve Design Studio in Downtown Pittsburgh. Brown’s goal with her salon as to create a space that accepts all races and genders. The salon prides itself in being all natural, using hair products that are all high-quality vegan and cruelty-free. Brown hopes to expand her salon in the near future and be more involved in the community. She is a member of the Pittsburgh Fashion Week 2020 Committee.

Panelist: Susan Tsu is an Asian American, world renowned costume designer. She has been recognized for her designs by Lincoln Center Library for exhibits on female costume designers. Her numerous awards include a Drama Desk Award and a Kennedy Center Medal of Achievement. She is currently a costume design professor at Carnegie Mellon University. 

Panelist: Manny Dibianchi is a 24 year old Black, gay designer and performance artist from Pittsburgh. While studying music production at Full Sail University, he started his accessory line “Dimepieces by Manny Diabianchi” to help fund his education. He continues running his small business online today in addition to his music making. He considers himself and activist on issues within the Black and LGBT+ communities. 

Panelist: Andrea Vasquez is a proud fourth generation Mexican/Polish mix. A Pittsburgh native, Vasquez started her career in fashion right after she graduated from University of Pennsylvania. She then spent eight years in the world of corporate fashion with H&M, JCPenny’s, and Macy’s. After working her way up to the position of Merchandise Executive Manager where she oversaw store wide operations, Vasquez shifted career paths into the world of finance. She is currently a Group Banking Representative at Dollar Bank. 

Moderator: Lisa Washington is an Emmy award-winning journalist, currently working for KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. She anchors KDKA’s weekend morning news. When she’s not anchoring or reporting the latest local news, Lisa is often volunteering in her community or spending time with her family. She is a member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, a women’s volunteer service organization. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America.

Panelist: Thomas McClure, Fashion Week Columbus - is the founder of Fashion Week Columbus, the flagship program of the Columbus Fashion Council. McClure has been featured in the bestseller “Our Towns” as well as The Atlantic, New York Times, Southern Living, and Who’s Who GLBT Columbus.

Panelist: Sharan Nixon, Baltimore Fashion Week - is the Founder and Lead Producer of Baltimore Fashion Week and Founder and Chief Volunteer of the Fashion Umbrella Foundation.  A true lover of style, fashion, and organization. Her love for production began in 2004 with her first runway production, “And Then There Was Snow.”  Nixon is also the proud mother of three handsome sons and two precious grandchildren.

Panelist: Justice Kwarteng, Colorado Fashion Week - believes that his purpose in life is “To Make Everything and Everyone Better” and accomplishes this by taking more interest in everyone he comes into contact with. Kwarteng travels around the Country to work 1-on-1 to help Brands, Businesses, Organizations, Startups, and Founders to help solve their biggest business problems. He design Creative Solutions informed by Best Practice from his near 2-decades of experience as a Strategic Consultant.

Moderator: Mallory Miller attended CMU College of Makeup Art & Design in Toronto, Canada where she studied under leading industry professionals. She specializes in film and fashion makeup. Along with being a highly-skilled makeup artist, she has served in management positions for Sephora and a luxury Medical Spa in the Pittsburgh area. Miller devotes her time volunteering around the community and is a member of the Pittsburgh Fashion Week 2020 Committee.

Panelist: Brian David Thompson is the designer of the gorgeous gowns featured in the Pittsburgh Fashion Week 2020: Photoshoot segment and the owner of Brian David Designs. With an eye toward vintage glamour, he creates stunning custom clothing intended to fit and flatter every client. Thompson, a Pittsburgh native, has been sewing for nearly his entire life.

Panelist: Mat Thorne is a photographer and designer from West Virginia. With a varied background in publishing, education, and digital design, he has produced work for a wide range of clients, from small-scale outdoor companies to Teen Vogue magazine. A proud dad and husband, he splits his time between families in Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and New York. He currently works with Rothschild Trading Company.

Contact Mat at: mat@rothschildtrading.com.

Panelist: John Valentine is the executive director of the Downtown CDC, as well as the founder of Pittsburgh Fashion Alliance. The Downtown CDC are the lead organizers of the annual event, Pittsburgh Fashion Week. Valentine is a Philadelphia native and would later move to Pittsburgh from New York City with intentions in the restaurant industry. In his 17 years living in Downtown Pittsburgh, he has worked towards cultivating Pittsburgh’s Downtown community and Pittsburgh’s fashion community.