Fashions For A Cause

There's nothing that touches your heart around the Holidays like a story of defying the odds and defeating the enemy called Cancer and these two sister's story is no different. My Aunt Roberta Goodman-Smith was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. There's nothing like the L & C word to warm your heart around the Holidays like LOVE & CARE! Right away my Mother Senilla Powell-Patterson jumped into action! My mother moved her baby sister across state to live with her so that she could take care and get her to doctor's appointments. Together they have become a Triumphant Duo! As of today my Aunt's Cancer is in remission and is in no need of bone marrow but she still has to have chemotherapy treatments. Through it all both sister's remain positive and stick together to encourage and uplift each other. My Mother recently lost her Sister Jackie Porter to Cancer and was determined to take action against the disease!


One idea my Mother came up with to help my Aunt to keep her mind off of the disease was to continue a business she started before she got word of my Aunt's diagnosis...Jewelry making! She quickly got my Aunt interested in the idea as a hobby and therapy method. Once my Aunt Roberta saw the beautiful stones and beading she was hooked...pun intended! They have since made and sold several pieces in the hospital alone! A portion of Patterson & Smith Designs proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Cancer Association for cancer research and a cure!



These beautiful and colorful pieces are made of semi-precious stones in turquoise, amethyst & red coral & black. They range from $40-$150.



This red & black glass & beads necklace, earrings & bracelet set is priced at $25.



These are what I like to call their Tribal pieces and they range from $45-$50...



As well as these crystal pieces below.



These pastel pieces range from $30-$50.



And the glass bead sets are $50.




These lovely pearl sets range from $45-$175.



Great detail, love and hard work has gone into each of these charitable designs as seen here with the multiple strands of this Mother of All Pearls piece!



Give the gift that keeps on giving this Christmas and Holiday Season. Support this and other charitable business' when considering the true meaning of Christmas!

To purchase these and other items or for custom orders you can contact Senilla Powell-Patterson of Patterson & Smith Designs at gresina@bellsouth.net.

HATS Are Makin' A COMEBACK!

All Kinds of Hats are makin' a comeback this Fall. From Fedoras to Floppys...this Fall is Full of Sharp Toppers in the style of your choice! Fedoras are makin' a BIG comeback this Fall for Men and Women, boys and girls! Lamont Chatman, models LaTonia Edwards & Kontara Morphis all look Great in their Fall Hats!!!



Fedoras are hitting stores like crazy now embellished with jewels, flowers, feathers and an array of leather, lace and satin bands and bows. There's so many different styles it's hard to just buy one. But I've narrowed my options by creating my own bands for different looks and outfits for each day! Of course I didn't just buy one...although I can re-style one, gotta have different colors!!!



Seen here is just a band I had laying around that I would sometimes use as a headband.



Here I took a feathered necklace that I seldom wear and extended the chain just a little and didn't have to ruin the necklace. The rhinestones and chains added a nice funky fresh jazz and pizazz to it!

I LOVE this Floppy Hat with the trendy studs on the flap from Ashley Stewart! It adds a little trend to a classic look! And speaking of Class these brothers have got it! Model Jarvis Powers in his Page Boy Cap and Model Manager LaMont Jones in his Fedora.



This San Diego Cap is a cute warm topper in a great color for Fall and Winter.



Fall is still Fashionable for "Going to Church" Hats. This Winter wool off-white Cloche from the 1920's era is a timeless piece to be worn with class and sophistication and the two tone brown one from Fedora Pittsburgh that can be dressed up or down for a stylish look while keeping the wind from messing up your tress.



Cat Daddy here is seen in a vibrant blue wool Fedora for a nice night out on the town from Fedora Pittsburgh.



Hats are so cool even the babies are wearing them!!! My pumpkin Taylor wearing a purple sweater knit material Fedora with puff balls from The Children's Place...



and Journey sporting a Pageboy Cap and Austin in a San Diego Cap both from Baby Gap.



Adults can get fashionable Fall hats at stores like Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Rainbow, Gabriel Brothers, and many other Hat stores but Fedora Pittsburgh has one of a kind hats just for you at an affordable price!

Come to the Strip District on the days and times below and see Cindy Burns for your perfect match! People tell me all the time that they don't think they can wear this or that type of hat but they really don't know what suits their face shape or head size...come see Cindy and she will give you the perfect fit! You may also run into this fabulous Mad Hatter LaTonia Edwards who just might let you buy the hat off her head!!! lol



Fedora Pittsburgh
20th & Penn Ave. in the Strip
412-256-0147

Sat. Nov. 12th
Sat. Nov. 26th
Sat. Dec. 10th
Sat. Dec. 17th
And Possibly Sat. Dec. 30th

To see more of Cindy's Hats go to
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fedorapittsburgh.blogspot.com%2F&h=9AQGw12Dm

Pittsburgh Fashion Week 2011 ManStyle Show Review

This was the first ManStyle Men's Fashion Show for Pittsburgh Fashion Week which is in it's second year. So needless to say I was excited to see some men on the runway for a change!!!



The Show featured JoS A. Banks Menswear at the John H. Heinz History Center started out with Pittsburgh's A List Celebrity Television Personalities!



Local Celebrity WTAE Sports Broadcaster Andrew Stockey having fun on the Runway! And City Council Constituent Services Coordinator Matt Hogue shows us the fashionable side of politics!



Handsome as can be models representing JoS A. Banks & PFW and well! Rising model Marcus Powers is sure to make it in New York Fashion Week!!!



The Casual Male looking dapper in seperates from JoS A. Banks including Tommy Hilfiger apparel.




The Plus male sporting Fall's Favorite colors browns and tans.



The well suited male in tux, bow tie and scarf and model Tim O'Reilly.



The evening benefited a worthy organization called Capacity Developers Inc. which provides suits and work wear for men re-entering the workforce from unemployment, prison, renewal and recovery like the gentleman below. Irene Anderson Sparks, Community Resource Manager seen with Kevin Schnieders who is on the Advisory Board and is the CEO and President of Educational Data Systems which is a contributing partner of the program was the Commentator for the organization's part of the show where they showcased donated suits, scrubbs and labor work wear that they supply for the men in need!



Capacity Developers is a non-profit that also provides systems of support to ensure that men of Greater Pittsburgh have the ability to seek gainful employment through education & training programs and supportive services. Please support this great organization by donating suits and mens work wear and/or monetary donations at http://www.capacitydevelopers.org/

The Runway was also adorned with custom designed studded and painted sneakers by Ben Smith of BRUSH FOOTWEAR. You can place your custom order with Ben at ben@brushfootwear.com or his website at www.brushfootwear.com .



I must say I was a little dissappointed that there weren't more men's fashions presented in the show that lasted all of 20 minutes with JoS A. Banks presenting 15 looks! At $40 a ticket, I'm sure fashion goers were looking for a little more. With Men's Clothing Stores in Downtown Pittsburgh alone Brooks Brothers, Larrimor's, Lydell's, Macy's, Sak's Fifth Avenue and even a little street wear...it could have been a great show!

Pittsburgh STEP UP! We have great talent and exceptional potential...we'll see what the rest of the week has to hold. But I'm sure the Fashion Students will BRING IT in the back to back Student Runway Shows. Get your tickets now (because these shows fill up fast) at http://www.pittsburghfashionweek.com/