"Plantasia" Hints at a Promising Future for the Fashion Landscape in Pittsburgh
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Written By Justice Sifford
In a presentation which was one part concert, one part fashion show, and one part drag performance, designers Stew Frick and Nicole B. inspired a sold out crowd with “Plantasia.” Held in the courtyard at Trace Brewing, the event was abundant with joy and celebration at each interval.
The plant-inspired collection featured exclusively unisex styles of jumpsuits, smock-style dresses, and gowns, all painted (in that particular style that let’s everyone know you’re wearing art by Stew Frick) with plant life. Walking barefoot on a grass runway, the models brought to mind woodland fairies. Except these fairies were way ahead of the upcycling TikTok trends. And while not all the pieces in the collection were handmade, they all felt bespoke and one-of-a-kind.
With a name like “Plantasia,” I expected lots of, well, plants. The theme lends itself perfectly to both Frick and B.'s fashion practices being centered squarely in the eco-friendly, handmade side of fashion that Pittsburgh does so well. And while we did get lots of plants, I did not expect to be full-on inspired.
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The fashion show was the centerpiece of it all, but surrounding the show, the crowd was given drag performances by The Dollhouse Queens (Remy Black, Viiviian Spice, and Victoria L. Van-Cartier) who also walked the runway in the show, bookended with a musical performance by Le Siren and a dance party with DJ Huny XO. The whole afternoon felt like a reminder of what makes Pittsburgh’s fashion and art scene so joyous: community.
Fashion, in general, is often steeped in a sense of exclusivity. And while the Pittsburgh fashion community is fairly accessible (maybe just by virtue of being disorganized), it’s still easy to feel like an outsider in these spaces. “Plantasia” felt like an exception. We gathered together under the hot sun, on a Sunday afternoon in July, in the alley outside of a brewery, all in celebration of the beauty of queer creativity. We smiled and cheered together as the models (a beautiful cast of queer folks of color) walked down the runway, each shining their own light and making each piece uniquely theirs. If I have one critique of either the collection itself or the event as a whole, it is this: MORE.
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We as a community of fashion lovers in Pittsburgh need more of this! “Plantasia” showed what a Pittsburgh fashion community should and could be: folks coming together with love and joy to celebrate the unique and scrappy charisma that all Pittsburgh creatives seem to have in spades. It was proof that this is what we could have if we want it. And we do want it, oh so badly. The potential for growth and development of this community lies in its diversity. Its potential lies in the celebration of all its voices.
Stew Frick, Nicole B., producer Mia St. Clair, and everyone involved in “Plantasia” gave us this reminder. I hope other local designers and creatives follow their lead, because I’d love to see more.
“Plantasia” finale