Pop-up fashion shoot & cocktail crawl support Market Square businesses.

 

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 9, 2025) – Pittsburgh Fashion Week (PFW) is stepping into a bold new era with Style on the Square: Construction to Couture, a one-night celebration of creativity, sustainability, and community taking place Thursday, September 18, in Downtown Pittsburgh’s Market Square.

Set against the backdrop of Market Square’s $15 million modernization project, the event will transform the construction zone into a fashion show. A high-fashion outdoor editorial photo shoot featuring 10 couture looks crafted from salvaged and repurposed materials will showcase the artistry of local designers, while a Fashion Week–inspired Cocktail Crawl invites guests to explore Market Square restaurants and bars through custom drinks, bites, and experiences.

Presented by Pittsburgh Fashion Week and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP), in collaboration with Diamonds by Rothschild, DochertyX, Acrobatique Creative, and Izzazu Salon, Spa & Blowout Bar, Construction to Couture is both a celebration of fashion’s transformative power and a show of support for Downtown businesses navigating change.

The Cocktail Crawl

From 5:30–9:00 PM on September 18, visitors can sip, savor, and stroll through Market Square with exclusive drinks and menu items inspired by the spirit of Fashion Week. Guests can pick up a Cocktail Crawl Passport at the PDP info booth for the chance to win up to $500 in Market Square gift cards, while sampling more than a dozen signature cocktails and culinary experiences.

Participating businesses include Space Bar, The Yard, Pizzaiolo Primo, City Works, Revel, Millie’s Ice Cream, Alta Via, Medi’s on Market, Aperitivo Club, Emerson’s, Nicholas Coffee & Tea Co., love, Pittsburgh, and more—each offering Fashion Week–themed creations such as:

  • Galactic Glam (Space Bar) – a molecular cocktail that’s out of this world
  • Catwalk Candy (The Yard) – cotton candy–infused tequila delight
  • The Runway (Pizzaiolo Primo) – an elegant whiskey-forward showstopper
  • Blue Steel (City Works) – a blueberry margarita with serious attitude
  • Coco Couture (Revel) – a decadent coconut, almond, and chocolate cocktail
  • Little Black Dress and Tuxedo (Alta Via) – the ultimate style couple – raising a glass to fashion’s most iconic looks. 
  • Le Smoking (Emerson’s) – smoky, bold and effortlessly chic
  • Dolce & Garibaldi (Aperitivo Club) – this cocktail is la dolce vita in a glass
  • Midnight in Paris Latte (Nicholas Coffee & Tea Co.) – a chic lavender dream, topped with sparkle and Parisian flair
  • Lemon Cheesecake Ice Cream (Millie’s) – with black tea ripple, crushed waffle cones and real whipped cream

Beyond September 18, Fashion Week specials will continue all week long, September 15–20, ensuring Market Square merchants stay in the spotlight.

Couture with a Purpose

Ten Pittsburgh designers will present one-of-a-kind creations using construction remnants and architectural textiles, paired with models from DochertyX:

  • Virginia Nicoll (The Goddess Closet) / Alice Michelle Kelsey-Toomer
  • Suz Pisano / Allison Cronin
  • Brian David / Kinley Martin
  • Imani Batts / Tiaura Davis
  • Starr Thomas / Siawaa Antwi
  • Michael Nolan Kouri / Rachel Landry
  • Sidney Rice / Ella Evans
  • Cathy Olivar / Marisa Becerra
  • Laura Luzier / Erin Mykich
  • Nzuri Noni / Lauren Navilliat

 

Hair and makeup will be styled by the Izzazu Salon & Haircare Design Team, with visuals captured by photographer Vondre Clark and videographer Nick Zaller, and creative design led by Gary Kalinosky of Acrobatique Creative.

Why Market Square?

As Market Square undergoes its largest transformation in decades, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership continues to invest in ways that support local businesses during construction. Construction to Couture embodies that same spirit of reinvention.

“Events that celebrate transformation underscore the rise of a new Downtown Pittsburgh,” said Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. “Construction to Couture is a fantastic example of creative ingenuity turning something challenging into a vibrant opportunity. We encourage everyone to come see the exceptional talent on display, support our local businesses, and experience Market Square in an entirely new way.”

Event Highlights

  • Outdoor editorial video/photo shoot featuring couture looks from repurposed materials
  • Cocktail Crawl with 12+ featured cocktails, bites, and experiences
  • Prizes up to $500 in Market Square gift cards
  • Weeklong merchant features September 15–20

Follow Pittsburgh Fashion Week

  • Instagram: @pittsburgh.fashionweek
  • Facebook: @pghfw
  • Hashtags: #pittsburghfashion #pittsburghfashionweek #pghfw #marketsquarepittsburgh #steelcity #downtownpittsburgh #constructiontocouture #cocktailcrawl

For more information, please visit https://www.pghfw.com/

Media & Press Inquiries

Ronda Zegarelli
ronda@acrobatiquecreative.com | 412-303-6456