2022 Designers
Patricia Yu
Instagram @_patriciayu
Product design major by day and fashion designer by night, Patricia Yu is our youngest designer to hit the runway this year.
Her 2020 Collection is heavily inspired by the events of this past year. Her collection—Salvos, which means strength and resilience in Latin, carries the basis of the meaning behind her work. “I am inspired by things that happen in my everyday life. Imagine writing a diary, but having those words transform into an outfit,” said Yu.
Marissa Tampona
Instagram @marissatampoya
Pittsburgh Fashion Week will be headed to the West Coast, not actually, but because of this designer audiences will definitely get a taste.
Marissa Tampoya, of the brand—ISLANDGURL, will be trading in year-round sunshine in California, for potential overcast in Pittsburgh, as she joins us for this year’s Fashion Week.
She began her career at the ripe age of eight, when her seamstress Aunts taught her how to sew. “When I was 8, they taught me how to hem, to bead & stitch by hand. All my dresses were designed and made by them. I started designing in my late 30s. I started designing scarves, then pants, then now tops & dresses. I also made purses & stick bags,” said Tampoya.
Much like many of the other designers featured, Tampoya receives inspiration from her environment. Unlike others, sometimes inspiration sparks when her eyes close. “Most of my designs are from dreams, sometimes it just comes thru my mind,” explained Tampoya.
Emily Rouse
Instagram @house.of.rouse
Emily Rouse, or to some, House of Rouse, brought sustainability to the runway in 2022 for Pittsburgh Fashion Week.
“Our studio is the opposite of 'mass production' and is completely 'slow fashion.' I am proud to take such an active role in the creation of House of Rouse clothes, from design through production, and to know that the process is being done with the consideration of our people,” expressed Rouse.
“Pittsburgh Fashion Week’s mission 'to unite and promote the emerging fashion industry' speaks to me on many levels as a designer and business owner. Unity does not happen just among designers, but across the entire development process. I hope to see the promotion of new perspectives and values in this industry and am very excited to see Pittsburgh Fashion Week taking an active role in bettering the community and growing the fashion industry in our area.”
Aadya Bhartia
Instagram @aadyabhartia
Aadya is a 22 year old Architecture major at Carnegie Mellon University.
Renasci, her newest collection, explores the interaction between growth and rebirth. “Adaptability and evolution work in unison as we traverse through various phases of our existence. The grounds of this evolution is determined by the environment we thrive in. Through Renasci, I aim to draw a parallel between the malleability of wire and the influence of the people who surround us. The delicate fabric contrasts against the rigid wire, creating a dialect between the two and imbibes an instance of rebirth.”
Malcolm Staples
Instagram @executivedone
Malcolm Staples, of Malcolm’s Custom Made To Fit, is one of the premier custom clothier’s in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. This highly acclaimed tailor believes in leaving no stone unturned and providing ultra luxury services as the norm not the exception.
In 2021 alone, his work graced the covers of more than 50 national and international publications and editorials in over 115 magazines.
He was the winner of the Fashion and Beauty Olympics Designer Showcase sponsored by Fashion Avenue News Magazine and was named Designer of the Year by the SITA (Success In The Arts) organization.
Lana Neumeyer
Instagram @lananeumeyerfashiondesigner
Lana Neumeyer’s passion for design started young. 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.
Lana Neumeyer's designs are mix materials of different textures.
Lana has been very active with several local charities. Neumeyer has hosted many charity functions in Brazil, Pittsburgh and Atlanta.
Eva Dixon
Instagram @angeleva7
Eva Dixon is a fashion designer and business owner of I Do Designs By Eva.
Eva felt drawn to the fashion industry from a young age. “I’m a designer” she says, “I’ve been designing since I was 9 years old”. She has an extensive background in the fashion industry, including event planning, sewing and custom designs, and has participated in fashion shows in New York Fashion Week. She moved to Pittsburgh from Boston and opened her bridal store in Zelienople, and is now located in Wexford just outside the city.
Camillya Taylor
Instagram @camillyaantoinette
Camillya Taylor is from Johnstown, Pennsylvania and is the owner of Camille's House of Style salon and boutique. She has been designing for 12 years. Camillya has done quite a few fashion shows and has also been a runway coach/trainer as well as fashion editor for SoulPitt magazine.
Camillya plans on starting her own agency to help develop models and push them into the modeling industry as it changes in the future.
Kaitlyn Berthold
Fantasy meets real life with Kaitlyn Berthold’s designs. Inspired by Cosplayers and LARPers, Berthold can bring drawings from your storybook pages to fruition.
Originating her ideas here in Pittsburgh at The Art Institute, Berthold went on to become a world traveler in fashion. “[I] then went on to study in London in Costume Design and then in Milan, Italy for Fashion Design. In the last eight years I've found myself mainly designing gothic and fantasy garments and costumes,” said Berthold.
Berthold then went on to start her brand, Koshka. “Koshka is inspired by fantasy settings to create one-of-a-kind garments. We use details from the fantasy realm and bring them to life to bring into this realm,” explained Berthold.
She continues to bring the fantasy with her 2020 Collection. Vanguards, not only takes your mind to a different realm, but showcases strong women along the way. “With the thought of fantasy in mind, this collection shows how strong a woman can be. With each garment representing a different class (mage, warrior, druid etc.) you are able to feel powerful and wanting to go on an adventure,” said Berthold.
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