By Candy Williams
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, February 20, 2004

When six Pittsburgh-area designers were asked to come on board for the second annual "Space & Beyond" fashion show, they each were directed to create a grouping of fashions to reflect the theme -- and to let their imaginations soar.

Their out-of-this-world styles will take flight when the event to benefit Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf gets off the ground Thursday at Sanctuary in the Strip District. Proceeds from the fashion show will help to provide scholarships to send deaf and hearing-impaired students to a Space Camp and Aviation Challenge program in Huntsville, Ala., from April 25 through 30.

Tara Rieland, marketing director for Oxford Development Corp., and co-worker Gabrielle Leahy, marketing manager, are co-producing the charity event. Leahy says many people, including themselves and the fashion designers, are donating their time and talents to make the show a success."We're volunteering for a good cause," she says.

Rieland says the Galactic Fashion Show will feature "everything from ultra-modern to ethereal and angelic. You'll see a lot of see-through mesh, body paint and glitter." Following the show, each featured designer will select one piece from his or her collection that will be auctioned at prices ranging from $300 to $1,500.

For designer Diana Misetic, the benefit is an opportunity to explore another dimension of her signature Little Black Dress, which is both the name of her Shadyside boutique and her favorite apparel item.  "The whole idea of the show is to create something futuristic," Misetic says. "Once my imagination takes over, I will stay up all night. I cut, I change, I shorten, I lengthen. It's a long process."  Another featured designer, Mary Margaret Stewart, who owns Iman B. in Shadyside, says she will rely on the talents of local window designer Tommy Conroy to help carry out the space theme. "His accessories will add a futuristic approach," Stewart says. "I'm not thinking of super-future, but more the '70s, 'Jackie Brown' futuristic."

Stewart plans to design five outfits for the fashion show, including two pantsuits, a gown and two basic dresses. She will be working with jersey knits in bright colors of pink, green and red.  "I like doing fashion shows, particularly if there's a theme,"  Stewart says. "I especially like the fact that there are other designers involved. It's nice to collaborate with other people for a good cause."  Accessories also will play an important part in the custom designs of Montie Cholmeley-Jones, who has created costumes for several commercials and film projects in Pittsburgh, including "The Mothman Prophecies" and "The Bread, My Sweet."  Cholmeley-Jones says he also will incorporate sculptural aspects into his five creations, which include a long coral velvet sleeveless gown that is full at the hemline but contoured to the rest of the body. "Modern lines define the futuristic" in this garment, which also features a classical influence, he says.  Custom corset designer Libby Ashworth, whose personal studio and showroom, Spellbound Corsets, is in Shadyside, has selected a vivid and bright palette for her creations, which will be fashioned from heavy industrial vinyl fabric impregnated with glitter.  Her fabric choice "evokes both a futuristic and nostalgic feeling, having first been used in the 'Atomic Age' of the 1950s," she says. "It's very space-age but retro at the same time." She plans to design four corsets for the event, including her special finale, a white glitter vinyl and clear vinyl bridal gown complete with bustle and train.  Spellbound Corsets is open by appointment only, (412) 519-5161.

The youngest designer in the show will be 17-year-old Courtney Capretto of Oakmont, who has sold her creations locally. She says she is working hard to "get my name out there" besides working as a marketing intern for Oxford Development. She only works in black fabrics and vintage lace trims, she says, creating "form-fitting dresses that are very '40s-looking."  Capretto says she intends to carry out the "spacey" theme with accessories such as "Star Trek" glasses and body glitter.  Also providing fashions for the show will be Nami Ogawa of Zeta.  Select runway pieces by the featured designers will be available for purchase, organizers say. 

High Regard will provide music, and Fox Chapel Yacht Club and Conference Center will supply food. Iszazu International Salon will provide hair styling and makeup. A silent auction and other surprises are planned.