The South Side Fashion Show (SSFS) features clothing stores and boutiques either located or headquartered in Pittsburgh's South Side neighborhood. From 1st Street to 30th Street, East Carson has more than 30 clothing stores and boutiques. At a rate of one clothing store per city block, the South Side is one of Pittsburgh’s most robust fashion districts. This show supports locally-owned, small businesses that contribute greatly to the local economy, the neighborhood landscape that attracts people to the region, and the entrepreneurial spirit that seats Pittsburgh at the helm of innovation. There is no cost to the stores to participate in the show and all attendees are welcome free of charge.

SSFS follows a "from runway to market" concept. Immediately after the show, all guests are invited to go onto E. Carson St. and quite-literally, "shop the runway".

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SSFS 2022 SZN 4

When a Hurricane Meets Fashion: The South Side Fashion Show Season 4

SOUTH SIDE, PITTSBURGH, PA - Fashion took over the South Side again this year as the South Side Fashion Show hit the open-air runway on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at 2pm, on 18th & E Carson Street.

Despite the rain from Hurricane Ian, the show continued on seamlessly. Guests from all over the city enjoyed the show huddled under ponchos and umbrellas, while the models put on an amazing runway to the beats provided by South Side’s DJ Quantum and DJ Debutante.

A surprise presentation at this year’s show included three custom balloon inspired designs. Jess Garda of The Cheerful Balloon Co., in Washington, PA, has long dreamed of a balloon couture fashion show, and this year was able to feature her collection on the South Side Fashion Show runway. Each dress then enjoyed a short residency at the stores up and down East Carson St.

As always, our veteran stores marveled on the runway; Highway Robbery Vintage stunned in full monochromatic army green with a floor length fringe skirt; OneUp Skate Shop skated the runway in oversized Televisi Star corduroy overalls, dotted with embroidered vx1000 mini cameras; Zeds sent rock stars down the runway with lit cigarettes and men in black and white leather star patterned pants; over at HotBox it was bucket hats and mini purse season, while Ablyn Fashions always shines in bodycon wear.

Local designers Gutterfly and Good Days Brand, featured their own makings and creative work on the runway across hoodies, pants, under garments, and tees. New this year is Priceless Fashions, stunning the runway with models spanning all ages and featuring looks for ALL women.

This year’s bride, Kat Garofalo of Carrick and the CitiParks Ormsby Pool Head Lifeguard, was a show-stopper in a reworked 1997 wedding gown donated from Animal Lifeline Pittsburgh. Off the runway, J.Frances Art, collaborated with guests and models on creating artistic renderings using completed paint-pour canvases and metallic markers.

While the rain took up occupancy across most of the seats, the 200-person front-row supplied by A Party Place Rentals, brings the runway to life year after year.

Thank you to all the sponsors, boutiques, brands, photographers, and designers who participated and supported Season Four of the South Side Fashion Show. We look forward to celebrating our milestone Fifth Season in Fall 2023.

SSFS 2021 SZN 3

Fashion took over the South Side again this past weekend as the South Side Fashion Show Season 3 hit the open-air runway at noon on Saturday, in the 18th & E Carson Street parking lot.

This year’s show, DJ’d by Noisy Freaques Dj Quantum and DJ Debutante, featured seven stores and brands local to the South Side neighborhood. The runway boasted a variety of looks from skater-wear, to prom-wear, to festival-wear, to vintage-wear, and even bridal-wear.

The SSFS stores on display again this year were OneUp Skate Shop and owner Brandon McConnell (1010 Freyburg), who opened the show teaming with athletes skating the runway; while Ablyn Fashions (2008 Carson), featured his line of nearly-designer spandex wear; and then dear friend of the show, Kate Colussy of Highway Robbery Vintage (2012 Carson) celebrated their 10 year anniversary in sustainable, reused and repurposed textiles.

The SZN 3 show included a few new faces, including Da Hotbox (1923 Carson), who made it a family affair featuring wife Kennedy, baby and daughter, Macey, who skipped the runway wearing Hotbox for Kids. Local designers, Gutterfly Art and Local Plague presented incredible, unique designs, fit for the skate park or festival scene, both designers items are often available at OneUp Skate Shop.

Closing the show this year and a new store to the South Side, Sittoy Boutique and owner Yottis Tinsley (1823 Carson), celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a runway teaming with women in pink, including the South Side Fashion Show Bride, bedecked in a Sittoy custom pink gown.

The 200 person Front Row, supplied by A Party Place Rentals, included local fashion icons such as Styling by Chi, Lulathrift, The Bins Queen, The Anybody Can Do This Show, and PGHFW Alumni Designers like Stew Frick.

Performing live interactive art throughout the show was local painters Jess Zachar of J.Frances Art and Sasha Igwe of IFEOMA Art. Both artists pieces are regularly available for purchase at Delanie’s Coffee Shop on 18th & Carson.

Immediately following the show, guests headed out onto E Carson Street to “Shop The Runway”, and then completed the day with a celebration during the After Party at Cupka’s Cafe 2 (2314 Carson).

SSFS 2020 SZN 2

SSFS 2020 aired on CBS Pittsburgh in December 2020. The truncated presentation focused on reducing, reusing, and recycling textiles. With nearly 10 resale shops lining E. Carson St., shopping mindfully, eco-friendly, and online or curbside was easy.

SSFS’s Creative Director, Claire Pro, took Celina Pompeani Shoppin’ Dahn Sahside aboard Scoobi’s electric scooters. From hunting vintage at Three Rivers and Highway Robbery to thrifting at Goodwill and then splurging on sneakers at Zed’s, this segment showcased the variety of shopping on E. Carson Street.

South Side Fashion Show partnered with OneUp Skate Shop to bring warmth to locals in need. Donating outerwear, blankets, and PPE to benefit @pghfnb’s Winter Supply Drive.

2020 Vintage, Resale and Thrift Stores:

Salvation Army, 44 S. 9th St
Buffalo Exchange, 1214 E. Carson St.
Slacker, 1304 E. Carson St,
Three Rivers Vintage, 1716 E. Carson St. @threeriversvintage
Zed’s, 1931 E. Carson St. @shopzeds
Highway Robbery Vintage, 2012 E. Carson St. @highwayrobberyvintage
Goodwill of South Western PA, 2700 E. Carson St @thriftyyinzer

SSFS 2019 SZN 1

In October 2019, Collection by Claire Pro launched the South Side Fashion Show. The double runway was situated in the Vietnam Veterans Parking Lot on 18th St & East Carson St. With over 200 front row seats, attendees get up close to the fabrics that make up the South Side.

2019 Participating Stores: