Ecolution Fashion Gala 2026

Patty Gallagher is an exhibiting studio artist with an extensive resume of exhibitions, awards and publications. Her artwork is primary costume and installation, with an exploration of the female archetype. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with an MSW degree and attended Pittsburgh Filmmakers, studying digital art, photo editing and web design, and has produced three Tarot decks and other deck formatted artist’s books.

Title - “Yerba Buena”

Materials - theater/ marching band / dance resale, designers own authentic vintage clothing collection, online resale @ Ebay and Etsy. Surplus and office supply resale

Models Name - Kenna Galati, Ava Bialon, Jordan Versaw

Olesya Nova is a fashion designer whose trademark image is a classy, sophisticated feminine glam with a bit of teasing edginess that provokes the imagination and encourages desire. The brand combines fashion and fine art and focuses on designing limited-in-quality, high-end jewelry and accessories.

Collaborators -Olesya Nova, Whimsical Wardrobe Boutique, Madam Mocktail

Title - SHE’S PSYCH”O”DELIC

Materials - Upcycled garment from Whimsical Wardrobe Boutique, Construction plastic (leftovers), Embroidery threads (leftovers), Sewing leftovers

Models Name - Alena Brooks

Johannah Hutchison is a respected leader in the nonprofit arts sector, known for her steadfast belief in the transformative power of art and her deep commitment to artists as cultural workers, activists, and community builders. Her leadership is defined by a vision that places artists at the heart of social change, recognizing their role in shaping inclusive, resilient communities through creative expression.

In addition to her executive work, Johannah is an accomplished fiber artist whose practice reflects her values of collaboration, sustainability, and social engagement. She works across a wide range of fiber techniques, with a particular passion for weaving, and embraces collective making as a means of fostering dialogue and connection. Her materials often include recycled and upcycled textiles, natural fibers, and plant-based dyes—underscoring her dedication to environmentally conscious artmaking and honoring traditional craft practices.

Johannah’s dual commitment to organizational leadership and hands-on creative work exemplifies her belief that art is not only a vehicle for personal expression but also a powerful tool for community transformation.

Title - Pop Art Punk

Materials - Fabric scraps, Upcycled fabrics, and repurposed vinyl Promotional banner

Models Name -  TK Kirkland (TKTYLERKIRKLAND LLC)

Hollywood Glam! LLC designer Beth Shari has been  actively designing for theater and her own creations for over two decades.  Her passion is being at her sewing machine creating beautiful things for people. Beth has spent the past ten years creating a custom-made, vintage inspired lingerie line. Her designs are reminiscent of the Hollywood Glamour of the 1920’s through 1940’s. She finds the most satisfying aspect of what she does is when she is able to offer attentive customer service while providing a unique and very personal product. Beth believes that ALL bodies are beautiful and has recently begun creating for the non-binary community. Under her D.B.A. Proxima Vintage, she has created a line of “Boudoir to Street-wear” accessories. You can learn more about her by visiting her social media pages as Proxima Vintage or contact her by phone to set up a free consultation for your next creation! (412) 477-4978

Title - Princes & Posh

Materials -  Men's Ties and Towels

Models Name - Max Ryan

Mila M. Muchnok, age 14, has a passion for fashion!  Up cycling Hershey kiss wrappers to design dresses and capes for legos and repurposing ribbons to create Barbie couture, she has naturally been drawn to sustainable fashion. To advance her abilities to the next level and help her create fashions for herself and friends, she has received 1-on-1 instruction from Elaine Tierney of Mossy Lane.  Currently, Mila attends Dorseyville Middle School.  As the youngest participant in last year's Ecolution Fashion Gala, with her “Crysalith” design, she is thrilled to again challenge her skills by participating with and learning from an amazing group of fashion designers!

Title - Chromatic Chaos

Materials - recycled denim, and leggings, scrap fabrics, seams, retired Halloween costumes, craft box glam: pompoms, yarn, tissue paper, soda can tabs

Models Name - Savannah Wilson (age 14)

Pittsburgh native and master stylist with Izzazu, Brandy began her creative journey behind the chair.

Her passion for style and life expanded to the world of fashion and fundraising, where she blends artistry, sustainability, and story telling with heart, hustle, and home town pride.

Title - In The Bag

Materials - free gift with purchase bags

Models Name - Reilyn Ruane

A strip of a glove with a reveal of a dress, Michelle Schoenhardt is a local costume designer for the rare exotic dance form of Burlesque. A performer herself, she is credited with designing and constructing all of her costumes and has won such titles as Pennsylvania Burlypicks Regional Winner Burlesque Competition 2017 and winner of Master of Amazement. Her designs include a variety of inspirations and depict flowing fabrics, recycled materials such as vegetable steamers, and an element of excitement.

Title -The Cost of Comfort

Materials -spray paint, wire, cardboard, recycled wedding dress, shopping ad mailers and newspapers

Model's Name - Lilith DeVille

For over 25 years, Barb Grossman has been a passionate force in the creative fiber world. During the pandemic, she launched Scrapwerx, a sustainability-driven initiative that has successfully diverted nearly 1,000 pounds of textile waste from landfills each year.

Through Scrapwerx, Barb transforms fabric scraps into pet pillows, community art installations, and unique wearables while also providing free materials to schools, groups, and individuals. Her innovative approach to reuse and sustainability continues to inspire creative solutions for textile waste.

Title - Sock it to Me

Materials - deflated mayor balloons, plastic bags, salvaged vintage fabrics, and fabric scraps.

Model's Name - Stacey White Jones

Christine CMC Bethea is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work evokes global references and intersections of Africa, Asia and Europe celebrating the connectivity of artistic expression and human experience that some wish to deny exsists. Often her art challenges historic perception and reimagines tradition while other works suggest delving into unsolicted truth. She works in whatever medium will best tell the story she wishes revealed: Ceramics, fiber, paint, glass, photography or videography.

Title - Poly Golightly

Materials - polyester festooned with vintage film cartridges

Model's Name - Gemma Gurcak

Lana Neumeyer aspires to use her fashions to make a difference in people’s lives and wants her designs to send the message: “Be confident. Be happy. Make a statement!”

Inspirations for her designs come from the environment and daily life, and from mixing different materials and textures. Lana doesn’t follow trends, she makes her own. Originally from Goiania, Brazil, Lana’s passion for design started young as she grew up with her grandmother and mother making all of her clothes at home.

An architect by trade, Lana’s collection is full of vibrant colors with plenty of movement. Her designs are mix materials of different textures. Her clothes are consistently bright with a lot of colors, often floral. “I'll do a little transparency to add some sensuality, but for the most part I like long, flowing pieces. I want my designs to be fun and entertaining.”

Title - Fame Forever : A wearable canvas exploring the relationship between fashion, fame, and artistic expression.

Materials - Silver metallic fabric, royal blue metallic fabric, acrylic textile paints, fabric markers, thread, interfacing, and hand-painted Pop Art details

Models Name - Genesis D. Almodovar

Elaine Healy is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Pittsburgh’s Little Italy. Heavily influenced by her background in printmaking and fashion design, she finds inspiration in natural and repurposed resources. She proudly works as a bridal & formalwear tailor at the Iron Horse Atelier.

Title - Soft Paradox

Materials -Repurposed vinyl, Used party decor, Used straws, Plant trimmings

Models Name - Marie Mashyna

Stephen Kuhn (Bloomfield) is a seamster who is largely self-taught. An opera singer originally, he moved into fashion after a brief tailoring apprenticeship and afterwards, a full time job in alterations. Stephen continually seeks to learn couture techniques, pattern design, and fashion history. 

Title - Superpower

Materials - Vintage comic books on cotton muslin

Models Name - Kierra Darshell

Cathy Trostle-Olivar is a Latina-American fashion designer based in Pittsburgh,PA. With a main focus on sustainability, her designs aim to promote and advocate for slow fashion and mindful consumerism. She works with materials ranging from natural fibers to secondhand, dead stock, or vintage textiles. Cathy is inspired by nature and exploration, and has an affinity with flowers.

Title - April Showers Bring May Fashion

Materials -shipping mailer bags, plastic table cover, Vintage fabric, and second hand beads

Models Name - Lexi Wright

Virginia Nicoll is a Pittsburgh native who's background is rooted in classical ballet theater, costume and fashion design. She is Owner/ Director of The Goddess Closet LLC, and works in professional theater and film in Wardrobe. Virginia is a member of IATSE Local 787. 

Title - Fame

Materials -Repurposed tapestry, beach blanket, custom dyed crinoline/tulle, secondhand materials, and remit fabrics 

Models Name - Hector Santos

Starr Thomas of Braddock, Pa has risen to the top of the elite designers in the Pittsburgh area by putting in long hours of dedication to her craft of sewing and painting. Starr's passion for fashion and love of art began at the age of 8 when her mother taught her how to sew. After high school she attended classes at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (F.I.D.M.) in Los Angeles, California where she was inspired and encouraged by teachers, family and friends to pursue a career in fashion by creating her own clothing line. Starr has held positions performing alterations in national and local bridal salons and currently holds an Alterations Manager position. Through these experiences Starr found the inspiration to create a clothing and accessories line that included her signature style and creativity called “Sew Starr”!  Starr has graced many runways with her designs, designed many garments for her customers, family, friends and herself and plans to continue to grow her business into a store front, sewing school and household name!

Title - Melanin made

Materials - 100% cotton and Minute Made Juice cartons.

Models Name - Cynfanee Monét

Sidney Rice is a 17-year-old junior attending North Allegheny. She began sewing when she was six, and her passion for designing gowns has only grown. From ballgowns made form the pages of books to extravagant wedding dresses, each piece she makes is a reflection of her passions and talent. Her work has been displayed in countless fashion shows and competitions, from The Salvation Army's Repurpose the Runway to the National Leadership Conference for FCCLA. She was recently awarded 3 Gold Keys in the 2024 Scholastic Art Awards. She plans to attend fashion school in New York City after graduating high school and dreams of working in the wedding industry.

Title - Mirrorball

Materials - Bloom energy drink cans, Curtin from Goodwill, Cardboard, Hot glue 

Models Name - Grace Zahorchak

Michael Nolan Kouri is a fashion designer and owner of the Pittsburgh-based atelier design service Nolan Kouri LLC (contact via Instagram: @nolankouri). Since moving to Pittsburgh, he has shown at Pittsburgh fashion week and Ecolutions ’24, as well as constructed garments for his wedding entourage held at the Phipps Conservatory. He continues working with clients from New York, LA, Miami, and now Pittsburgh. Michael also teaches sewing classes at Cut and Sew Studio in Morningside.

Title - Pittsburgh’s Leading Trashion Victims

Materials -Trash bags and Duct Tape / Upcycled Denim pants

Models Name - Wanda Bread and Kaydence McQueen

Brian David is a Pittsburgh based brand focused on red carpet and vintage inspired evening wear.  Brand owner, Brian David himself has created a reputation for perfection and luxury with his commitment to traditional couture techniques. With his 16 years of experience building costumes for on and off Broadway productions, ballet, opera, tv, and movies David has acquired the skills of a master draper, pattern maker, and tailor.

Offering a wide range of services, his hands on approach gives his a clients a one of a kind experience. With appointments available 7 days a week Brian is ready to take your ideas and turn them into reality.

Title - The Safety Pin Dress

Materials - safety pins and a dress remade into the lining  

Models Name - Joanna Wentling