Event – Maniac Magazine

Reflect Presents the L.A. Affair Fashion Show at Diesel

07/19/2011 Leave a Comment

This past Saturday, Reflect Apparel from Settler’s Ridge in Robinson, presented “An L.A. Affair” Fashion Show at Diesel Club Lounge in Pittsburgh’s South Side.

The summer-themed event featured designer fashions from the Reflect boutique, music by Pittsburgh’s own Choze and DJ Tweak, jewelry from Stella + Dot and Simply Chic, hair/makeup by Philip Pelusi, Geno Levi, and Dani’s Hair Loft, and photography by E Banks and Jonathan Schiavon.

Portions of proceeds from the event benefitted the Bracco Memorial Fund, in memory of the late Nicholas Bracco, founder of Pittsburgh Fashion Magazine.

Enjoy one behind-the-scenes photo, below … with more pictures from the show coming soon!

~~ Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Filed Under: Blog, Fashion, Pittsburgh Tagged With: Ashley Boynes-Shuck, Behind-the-scenes, Bracco Memorial Fund, Choze, Clothes, Dani's Hair Loft, Diesel Club Lounge, DJ Tweak, E Banks Photography, Eva Smith, Event, Events, Fashion, fashion show, Fashions, Front Row Monthly, Geno Levi, LA Affair, Maniac, Maniac Blog, Maniac Exchange, Maniac Magazine, Models, Nicholas Bracco, Philip Pelusi, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Events, Pittsburgh Fashion Magazine, REFLECT, Reflect Apparel, Reflect Boutique, Reflect Pittsburgh, Robinson, Runway, Schiavon Photography, Settler's Ridge, Simply Chic, South Side, Stella and Dot, style

Maniac’s Wine on White Party a (Stylish!) Success

07/19/2011 Leave a Comment

Thursday, July 14th, some of Pittsburgh’s finest gathered at the Maniac Magazine “Wine on White” Party held at the Wine Loft in the South Side Works.

The stylish event was held under a chic white tent complete and was an all-white party to celebrate the launch of the magazine’s June/July 2011 issue.

The atmosphere was young, hip, and swanky….but done with class, of course! Patrons could sample different types of wine or purchase their own glasses inside at the wine bar.

Not only was the ambiance perfect, but the weather was good, the appetizers and desserts were delectable, the company was fabulous….and the fashions were truly white-hot!

Photos from the event are available on the Maniac Magazine Facebook page….or, check out a small selection, below!

~~ Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Filed Under: Blog, Feature, Pittsburgh Tagged With: Ashley Boynes-Shuck, Event, Events, Lifestyle, Maniac Blog, Maniac Events, Maniac Exchange, Maniac Magazine, Party, People, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Events, South Side Works, style, White Party, Wine Bar, Wine Loft, Wine on White

Supermodel Cindy Crawford in Pittsburgh to Promote Cindy Crawford Home line

05/10/2011 Leave a Comment

On Saturday, May 7th, 2011, world-famous supermodel Cindy Crawford visited Levin Furniture in Pittsburgh, PA, as part of her current tour promoting her new home-and-furniture line, Cindy Crawford Home.

She chose to make Levin one of her stops due to its 91-year history in Western Pennsylvania — fitting, as tradition and history are two of her values. This is reflected in both her fashion lines and her furniture line.

Crawford claims that making the transition from clothing to furniture was easy, stating that the lines in and designs of clothing translate over into the lines and designs of furniture.

Cindy Crawford Home is elegant and sleek while still being comfortable and, well, homey.

“I also have included some of my Midwest upbringing into the line to help create value and functional pieces,” she said. “The furniture you have says a lot about you from how you set a table to how you entertain friends,” she said, also stating that “looks aren’t everything” in furniture, fashion, or life.

I asked Ms. Crawford how she liked Pittsburgh, and she said she “really enjoyed her time here.” While she was here, she visited Children’s Hospital with Robert Levin, where they donated to Children’s Hospital Charities. She also partnered with Levin to present a $10,000 check to a rep for the Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure. Crawford made radio appearances, and was also interviewed by the Pittsburgh CW while she was in town.

Her furniture line is now available through Levin Furniture and through June 7, with any purchase of the Crawford collection, Levin Furniture will make a contribution to the Susan G. Komen and Children’s charities.

Ashley Boynes and Cindy Crawford

– by Ashley Marie Boynes

Filed Under: Blog, CELEBRITY / Entertainment, Fashion, Feature, Pittsburgh Tagged With: Ashley Boynes, Blog, Celebrity, charity, Children's Charities, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Cindy Crawford, Cindy Crawford Home, Design, Event, Fashion, Furniture, Home, Levin, Levin Furniture, Lifestyle, Maniac, Maniac Blog, Maniac Exchange, Maniac Magazine, Model, Monroeville, Pittsburgh, Race for the Cure, Robert Levin, style, Supermodel, Susan G. Komen

The Play Date Gala – Having Fun for a Good Cause

05/10/2011 Leave a Comment

Bodyology Dancers

On Friday, May 6th, 2011, a benefit was held at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Since the invitation said, “playful cocktail attire,” I knew I had to attend!

The event didn’t disappoint. It was a perfect mix of elegant meets “FUN” with fearless fashions, an acapella group, dancers, fun centerpieces, awesome live and silent auction items….and even a flash mob!

VIPs such as Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch and more enjoyed an evening of good food provided by famed chef Bob Sendall, great music, and lots of laughs – all for a great cause. Dance troupe, “Bodyography” provided a wow factor with their routines, while Pittsburgh’s only all-vocal band, “Double Shot” impressed with their collection of tunes ranging from Maroon 5 to the Brian Setzer Orchestra and beyond.

It was a swanky crowd, in a unique venue – and the vibe was perfect for the cause being supported, whose mission was, “Joy. Creativity, and Curiousity.”

Co-chairs of the event were Heather McBrier and Susan Baierl, and sponsors included Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shiled, Mascaro Construction, Schneider Downs, 77 Kids by American Eagle, Baierl Automotive, Children’s Hospital, Deloitte & Touche, Duquesne Light, KDKA, Pascale Communications, and many more. The Great Friend of Children Award was presented to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for their commitment to children, as guests looked on while dining on an exquisite menu which included vegetarian chilli, honey glazed roasted ballontine chicken with leeks, apricots, pistachios & a demi glaze, Chinese boxed salad, and citrus-scented brown rice, followed by a palette of delectable desserts.

The evening’s biggest delight was not the fabulous decor or the oh-so-tasty food, but rather, the flash mob that surprised the crowd, dancing in sync to PINK’s hit, “Raise Your Glass.”

Touted as, “the ultimate play-date for grown-ups” this event surely didn’t disappoint. Check out some photos below, courtesy of photographer Matthew Shuck.

Silent Auction Items

Ashley Boynes & Allison Potter

Double Shot singers

Latasha Wilson-Batch, Charlie Batch, Lisa Simakas, Greg Simakas

Centerpieces

Carleen Papa and Maria Caruso

– by Ashley Marie Boynes

Filed Under: Blog, Pittsburgh Tagged With: 77 Kids, Allison Potter, American Eagle, Ashley Boynes, Baierl, Benefit, Black Tie, Blog, Bob Sendall, Bodyology, Carleen Papa, Charlie Batch, Children's Museum, Double Shot, Event, Events, Fashion, Flash Mob, Fundraiser, Gala, Gren Simakas, Heather McBrier, Highmark, Kids, Latasha Wilson-Batch, Lisa Simakas, Maniac, Maniac Exchange, Maniac Magazine, Maria Caruso, Matthew Shuck, Pascale Communications, Pittsburgh, Play Date, Steelers, Susan Baierl

Spring Has Sprung at Hip’tique!

03/31/2011 Leave a Comment

Spring styles at Hiptique

Spring has sprung at Hip’tique! Fresh from Los Angeles come this season’s hottest looks!

On Thursday, March 24t, 2011 Hip’tique hosted a Spring Collection Preview Party that featured fabulous shopping and yummy cocktails for the discerning diva.

Hip’tique – which describes itself as, “a unique boutique that offers the latest in women’s clothing & accessories, baby gifts and home decor” did just that with the absolute latest looks from Tracy Reese, Akiko, Plenty, RD Style, and Rebecca Taylor. The store also features designs from Tulle, Rebecca Minkoff, Corey Lynn Calter, Susana Monaco, Yumi Kim, Lucca Couture, Central Park West, and more.

At the Spring Collection Preview, guests could indulge in a glass of wine and some tasty appetizers while browsing new looks and old favorites.

Pretty patterns, sexy shirtdresses, luxe fabrics, feminine flavor, some coquettish, some kitsch, and a whole ‘lotta style – - you can find it all at Hip’tique! Check out our photos for some favorites from the Preview!

- – Event coverage by Ashley Marie Boynes

Filed Under: Blog, Fashion Tagged With: Accessories, Akiko, Ashley Boynes, boutique, Central Park West, Clothes, Corey Lynn Calter, Event, Fashion, Hip'tique, Jewelry, Lucca Couture, Maniac, Pittsburgh, Plenty, Preview, RD Style, Rebecca Minkoff, Rebecca Taylor, Shadyside, Shopping, Spring, Spring Collection, Susana Monaco, Tracy Reese, Tulle, Yumi Kim

Pittsburgh’s Own Crazy Hot Clothes & KIST Boutique Host Fashion Luncheon

03/31/2011 Leave a Comment

Jewelry from KIST

On Saturday, March 19th, 2011, Pittsburgh’s own Crazy Hot Clothes and KIST Boutique teamed up to host a “fashion luncheon” in a private room at Panera Bread Co. in Robinson Township at the Pointe. The event was open to the public, and was a nice preview of what both companies have to offer their clientele.

Both KIST and Crazy Hot Clothes had items for sale ranging from trendy jewelry and gorgeous scarves, to authentic vintage dresses.

Nicole Couch of Crazy Hot Clothes started her company in September of 2009. They are a web-based brand, but do many presentations ranging from runway shows to trunk shows and home parties all around Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. While some boutiques will stock her items, Crazy Hot Clothes basically operates on the web only — and has cultivated a national following. Like many Pittsburghers, though, Couch stays true to her hometown. Her husband and her both agree that working with people in Pittsburgh – from other boutique owners, models, fashion designers, hair and makeup artists, jewelry designers, and more – makes what they do fun. They give their interns (who range from fashion merchandising to photography students) a lot of credit, too, in their success.

So, what makes Crazy Hot Clothes stand out from any other Pittsburgh boutique? For starters, they offer unique fashion that is

Select pieces from Crazy Hot Clothes

accessible. Their prices are reasonable, and since all of their clothing is authentic vintage, there’s a good chance that you’ll be owning a “one of a kind” piece. The clothing ranges from high-end to no-label and is all relatively priced. ”I didn’t want to JUST do vintage, I wanted it to do vintage and have it be relevant,” Couch explains. For example, the big trends for spring include 70′s styles, patterns/prints, and denim – so for now, she will look for a lot of that as she seeks out merchandise to sell. At the inaugural Pittsburgh Fashion Week in 2010, they chose to run with the “ladylike” style that is becoming popular due to throwback show’s like Mad Men with its sexy 60′s style. Crazy Hot Clothes strives to find clothes, though, that do not look cheesy or costumey. Nicole’s goal is to teach people how to pair vintage pieces with modern clothes that they already have in their closet, so that they aren’t wearing head-to-toe vintage and looking like a caricature of themselves. She suggests pairing vintage jeans with a trendy shirt, or a vintage dress with more modern jewelry and accessories.

…which brings us to KIST Boutique. KIST, owned by Keri Bozich, also started about a year or so ago. Growing up, she was always into fashion. “I feel like accessories can make or break your outfit,” she says, “and if you don’t have a lot of money, you can always use jewelry and accessories to change it up, and update your wardrobe!” (A great idea for us “recessionistas!”)

Keri currently operates KIST Boutique solely on the Internet — specifically, via Facebook. She travels to New York City and Chicago trade shows, meets with manfacturers and wholesalers, and selects specific pieces to sell through KIST. Judging by the selection laid out for sale at the luncheon, Bozich has impeccable taste – and KIST truly has something for everyone, ranging from chain-adorned cuffs, to oversize pearl necklaces, fun watches, ribbon and rope pieces, and more!

KIST and Crazy Hot Clothes can both be found on Facebook and Twitter. Crazy Hot Clothes online boutique is available at www.crazyhotclothes.com.