Editorial: Steel dresses, anyone?

When asked to judge Pittsburgh’s most defining attributes, the world conjures up a common… When asked to judge Pittsburgh’s most defining attributes, the world conjures up a common image.

In reaching a decision, the people of the world laud our success on the football field, they for some reason still think that smoke from the “steel mills” envelops our buildings, and they honor our mystical ability to somehow survive the depressing weather with enough cheer to grant us exclusive access to “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Although Mr. Rogers’ iconic mustard sweater seems to have interviewed well with that esteemed international panel which decides these notable attributes of U.S. cities, Pittsburgh’s fashion style consistently misses its appointment. In Far Far Away Land, when you think Pittsburgh, you think Catholic and blue collar, not Jimmy Choo and Oxford shirts.

Well, if our calculations are correct, the fashionistas among us might no longer have to strain their necks looking to emulate style trends in New York or Los Angeles. It’s time to don your Marc Jacobs and get pumped — patent leather ones, that is — Steel City’s having a fashion week! Now it’s time for the Big Apple to roll over already.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, more than 50 designers and retailers — and more than 200 models — will strut around the city next week as part of the first annual Pittsburgh Fashion Week. Venues to be strutted upon include the Heinz History Center, SouthSide Works and the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center.

The event will commence Monday night with a runway show entitled “Clearing for Takeoff — Destination, Fashion Oz!” in SouthSide Works and end on Sunday at the Omni William Penn Hotel Downtown. In between, fashion-goers can delight in an exuberant variety of shows and vendor fairs.

Aside from putting on a show devoted to the international fashion designer Zang Toi, the event’s organizers will focus much of the schedule on local talent — in August they launched a model search at The Mall at Robinson, just outside Pittsburgh.

What makes Pittsburgh Fashion Week so important for this city really has nothing to do with fashion, at least in specific. Don’t get the wrong idea — The Pitt News holds enormous respect for people who respect the way they look. It’s just that what we believe Pittsburgh will take from this, especially if it comes back in the future, is more than just a photo op, a boost in retail sales and an excuse to wear Gucci.

If you look a bit deeper, the event represents another significant step on Pittsburgh’s road toward greater sophistication as a cultural center and toward greater influence on the country as a whole. However reluctant the world might be to change its collective image of Pittsburgh, the event gives us one more reason to view that image as outdated and incomplete.

Especially when you consider recent developments — like innovation-friendly Google opening up shop around the corner and our workforce being found among the highest educated — this town is headed for greatness, the face of which we haven’t ever known … just disregard the fact that we need a Connecticut investment firm to adequately finance our budget.

Maybe some day soon we’ll no longer be talking about students who come to Pitt, graduate and then high tail it out of here for cities that are more en vogue.

So go participate in Fashion Week; experience a taste of what’s to come. Friday and Saturday shows are only $5 for students, anyway.