Ecolution Fashion Gala

Themed “The Unseen World”

Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Gala on June 7, 2023

Model from the Ecolution Fashion Show — Images by Monica Godfrey Photography

A one-of-a-kind sustainable couture event, the Annual Ecolution Fashion Gala, curated by Richard Parsakian, styled by Izzazu Salon, Spa & Blowout Bar, and produced by The Green Voice Collective, was held at the Carnegie Museum. This breathtaking eco-fashion show and sustainability gala featured models from Docherty Model and Talent Agency who graced the runway, donning hand-crafted fashion designs that local artists designed and created utilizing reused and recycled materials. Music by DJ Soy Sos and a special dance performance choreographed by American icon, Kyle Abraham. Special performances by Kierra Drashell, The First Lady of Pittsburgh Drag, and artist Claire Hardy, who strives to bring a traditionally modern feel to her art using vibrant color and texture in decidedly familiar compositions.

Ecolution invites designers and artists to create couture fashion through the use of sustainable, recyclable, and organic materials. These stellar environmentally savvy ensembles address the environmental issues facing our planet. Later in the evening, Leah Lizarondo, Founder of Food Rescue Hero®, transformative technology that turns food rescues into movements, was awarded the inaugural Model Citizen award.

Encyclopedia Dress Photograph by Brian David. Graphic Design and Event Production by The Green Voice.

Models from the Ecolution Fashion Gala — Images by Monica Godfrey Photography

Model from the Ecolution Fashion Gala wearing a custom recycled gown

Recycled Materials

Iconic Fashion

Featured 2023 Designers Included:

Christine Bethea
Terry Boyd
Claudia Brownlee
Brian David
Virginia Nicoll-Hernandez
James Houk
Darrell Kinsel
Michael Nolan Kouri
Mila Muchnok
Mossy Lane
Randal Miller
Bradford Mumpower
Lana Neumeyer
Suz Pisano
Pearlann Porter
Charlotte Reichman
Rell Rushin
Brandy Wank

This annual event features a runway fashion show that highlights recycled and reused materials designed exclusively for Pittsburgh Earth Day. Local designers share their creations accompanied by local music performances. Guests can enjoy a Signature Finlandia Cocktail while dancing to the sounds of Soy Sos, our favorite local DJ, and watch a special dance performance by iconic American choreographer Kyle Abraham.

Each year, the Ecolution Fashion Gala showcases incredible artists from a wide range of mediums. If you've attended this gala in the past, you're sure to see something new this year as our artists continue to challenge themselves to create truly sustainable pieces.

Model at the Ecolution Fashion Gala — Images by Monica Godfrey Photography

Kyle Abraham

Featured Choreographer

Pittsburgh native, Kyle Abraham is a renowned American choreographer and dancer.

He founded his own company A.I.M in 2006 in New York City and has produced many original works for A.I.M such as The Radio Show , Absent Matter, Pavement, Dearest Home, Drive, INDY, Studies on Farewell, and An Untitled Love.

Kyle has also been commissioned to create new works for international dance companies such as Untitled America for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Runaway for New York City Ballet, The Bystander for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Only The Lonely for Paul Taylor American Modern Dance and Ash.

Donovan Reed

Featured Dancer

Donovan Reed is from Philadelphia and began his dance training at the age of 16.

Soon after, Donovan attended college at The University of The Arts where he received his BFA. He has trained with The Pennsylvania Balet, PHILADANCO!, Elone Dance Theatre, and The Rock School for Dance Education.

He has performed works by choreographers Sidra Bell, Regina Van Berkel, Sharon Eyal, Tommie Waheed-Evans, Beth Gill, Andrea Miller, Tania Isaac, Meredith Rainey, and Helen Simoneau. Donovan joined A.I.M in 2018.

Donovan Reed, featured dancer at the Ecolution Fashion Gala presented by Pittsburgh Earth Day and the Green Voice Collective

Claire Hardy

Featured Artist

Claire strives to bring a traditionally modern feel to her art using vibrant color and texture in decidedly familiar compositions. She serves her projects best by being thoughtfully proactive and optimistic.

Since 2010, Claire has been painting full-time and opened a professional studio. She continues to study and experiment with oil painting, always eager to get to the next painting. She served on the executive board of the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, and later as president, the Pittsburgh Society of Artists. In 2021, her work was featured on a national television series filmed at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in southwestern Pennsylvania which afforded prime exposure for both her art as well as the resort’s amenities.

The Ballerina Collection by Claire Hardy will be showcased at the exclusive VIP Reception.

Kierra Darshell

Featured Drag Queen, "The First Lady of Pittsburgh Drag"

Kierra Darshell celebrates a distinguished career that has lasted three decades. She was the first black queen crowned Miss Gay Pittsburgh in 1991. As Pittsburgh’s First Lady of Drag - Ms. Darshell, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: leader, role model, innovator in the local drag community, and mentor for drag performers. As curator/producer of the Miss Tri-State All-Star Pageant, she celebrated the pageant’s 25th Anniversary in 2017. Ms. Darshell hosts Sunday Drag Brunch, Outrageous Bingo, Pittsburgh Leather Contests, and has performed at numerous community and corporate events. Among her many career highlights, she was the opening act for legendary singers such as Patti Labelle, Gloria Gaynor, Martha Reeves, and Christine Ebersole. She produced Kinky Boots Musical after-party drag show for Pittsburgh Cultural Trust attended by Grammy, Tony, and Emmy awards-winner Billy Porter. She has graced the covers of numerous magazines and first drag queen featured in The Icons of Pittsburgh annual magazine.

Leah Lizarondo

Model Citizen Award Recipient

Leah Lizarondo is the Founder of Food Rescue Hero®, transformative technology that turns food rescues into movements, to have a greater impact on food waste, climate change and hunger in 25 cities and growing. Her work in food recovery has been featured in NPR, Fast Company, and The Washington Post, among others. Leah has won numerous awards for her work, including the Vital Voices’ Global Leadership Award in 2020 and the We Empower UN SDG challenge in 2019, a global award for women social entrepreneurs. In 2018, she was named "Pittsburgher of the Year" by Pittsburgh City Paper.

Leah received her graduate degree in Public Policy & Technology from Carnegie Mellon University. She is originally from the Philippines and currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.