Carol KinkelaInspired by her mother, Carol Kinkela began her retail career working for Walter Blattner, owner of Surrey Stores, in Shadyside. Training as a sportswear and accessory buyer, Ms. Kinkela developed a sense of style and entrepreneurial skills to launch her career. Fast forward to September 1996, Carabella – a darling boutique offering upscale clothing, accessories and shoes – was born! Creating a warm, comfortable experience for all who come through her door, Ms. Kinkela has built a business on quality customer service and giving back to the community since opening.
She scourers the markets to find the best the each season has to offer – and her selection of sportswear and outerwear is not to be rivaled in Pittsburgh. "Tailored with a twist" describes her style and the collection includes everything from casual to career and cocktail by such top designers as Donna Degnan, Elliott Lauren, White and Warren, Billy Blues, Zanella, Cinzia Rocca, Michael Starrs, Joes Jeans, Susie Roher belts and more.
Recently, Ms. Kinkela was honored by the Pittsburgh Professional Women with the Women of Integrity Award™ recognizing her commitment to balancing career with civic responsibility. As someone who loves giving back to the community that has been so loyal to her throughout the years, Ms. Kinkela supports many important causes. Over the years she has raised more than $240,000 for The Alzheimer's Association of Greater Pittsburgh – just one of the causes she passionately supports. Ms. Kinkela is noted for supporting dozens of charities including Juvenile Diabetes, Jones Legacy, The Crohns & Colitis Foundation and Relay for Life. Her flair for fashion, awareness raising, and philanthropy is part of her enduring style.
Jean HorneBorn, bred and educated in the golden triangle of Oakland, Squirrel Hill and Shadyside, Jean Horne had a 20-year career in advertising, marketing and P.R., from an entry-level post with a national ad agency to retiring as an officer of an area ad agency servicing national clients
For several years thereafter, she volunteered her expertise on behalf of several non-profits in planning and creating the dazzlement of their benefit galas, including the Pittsburgh Symphony, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh Ballet, Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center, Civic Light Opera and Family House
It was with the same sense of adventure that she moved to the other side of the notebook in 1993 when recruited by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review to create its social column that she dubbed "Fanfare," a play on the name Horne.
Every Monday for 17 years, as well as a season of "Fanfare on Air" on WQED-TV, Ms. Horne reported on visiting Hollywood celebrities, exciting black-tie balls and fundraisers for organizations that improve the quality of life for everyone in our town. Her column was the first to feature full-length fashion photos of localites in looks that thrill. And gorgeous gowns began floating out of retailers' doors. She grew "Fanfare" from a quarter-page to two full-pages in color when she signed off in 2009.
In 2005, Ms. Horne launched the Fanfare Magazine and, as executive editor of the glamorous lifestyle quarterly, she showcased the arts, culture, fashion, dining, shopping, places and, most especially, the volunteers – the caring people who are the "P" in Pittsburgh.
Ms. Horne continues to write about whatever piques her fancy for the Trib. She works out of her Shadyside home that she shares with husband Charlie, a retired U.S. Steel vice-president, realty; and president of U.S. Steel Realty Management and Development.
LaMont Jones, Jr.LaMont Jones, Jr. is proof that style and substance are not mutually exclusive. During a decade as award-winning fashion editor for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he became the region's most influential voice on matters of fashion and beauty as his brand of journalism as cultural commentary provoked thoughtful discussion among readers of all ages.
In the late nineties, Mr. Jones was reporting on teens in the Post-Gazette's features department and sat next to fashion editor Georgia Sauer. "One day I asked her why she didn't write more about men's style," he said. "She reminded me that she worked part-time and had to keep her overwhelmingly female audience happy. I understood. In the next breath, she invited me to write men's style stories on a freelance basis." He did, and when she left the paper in 1999, editors asked him to apply for the job. The rest is Pittsburgh fashion history.
LaMont Jones, Jr. was the first African-American and the first man to be fashion editor of a daily newspaper in Pittsburgh.
He expanded coverage to report on every aspect of fashion, from hiphop to couture, from thrift stores to luxury retailers. He attended more than 1,200 shows over 20 seasons at New York Fashion Week and became known for mentoring other regional fashion editors on their first trips to the twice-yearly event. From 2007 through 2009, he was honored with the rare distinction of being a nominator and judge for the annual Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards, the Oscars of the U.S. fashion industry.
During his tenure as Post-Gazette fashion editor, Mr. Jones inaugurated an annual listing of the year's best new perfumes. Stores often called him to report a rush on the scents he listed as his favorites, with shoppers holding copies of his story as they approached fragrance counters. When he extolled the virtues of a new skincare product, it was not unusual for the item to rapidly sell out across the city. Retailers coveted a mention in his pages, and he routinely made appearances on television and radio and before community groups.
His writing went beyond traditional reporting, and his social commentaries gave fashion-writing a unique twist. It was cultural criticism that compelled reading to the last line. "Some of the most rewarding moments for me were when people called or wrote to tell me that they usually did not read fashion, but a story I wrote was so engaging that they read every word," he said. "My philosophy is that fashion has substance and is relevant to everybody, so fashion writing should have substance and be relevant to everybody."
He was intentional about using his position to broaden the American standard of beauty. His fashion spreads showcased an array of models, including petites, pluses, and a range of ethnicities and skin colors. The display of diversity was not always met with appreciation, and he occasionally received negative feedback from readers. "It was to be expected," he said, "because suddenly here was this nontraditional person with the power and influence to challenge old assumptions and to redefine Western notions of beauty. I was dismayed by some readers' reactions, but never deterred."
Mr. Jones left the Post-Gazette at the end of 2008 to pursue other interests. He launched and operated an online style magazine, TheStyleArbiter.com, for two years and co-creates a line of limited-edition pocket squares. He continues to host, judge, and celebrity model at area fashion events and is a style consultant for select private and corporate clients. He works in higher education and is studying toward a doctoral degree in pastoral community counseling.
Linda Bucci"Customers are my best advertising. When they look good, so do I." Linda Bucci lives by her motto.
Over ten years ago, Ms. Bucci bought Ruth Young, a long-standing, successful women's boutique in Shadyside. Using her background in marketing, advertising and public relations, she gave the store her own name and did a complete remodel to create a fresh, updated look. These changes reflected its new sense of style and fashion
Ms. Bucci believes an important investment for any woman is in well-made clothing that makes her look and feel great. With that in mind she brought in new designers of quality fashions in formal wear, business dress and sportswear, developing an abundance of merchandise available exclusively at Linda Bucci. She has created a beautiful, relaxing environment for fashion-savvy women of Pittsburgh and beyond.
As a devoted volunteer, Ms. Bucci knows the importance of giving back to the community. She supports a wide array of organizations including: the American Heart Association's Go Red for Woman campaign, Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, Civic Light Opera Guild, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Animal Friends, Juvenile Diabetes, Heritage Community Initiatives "For Kids" program and the Friendship Circle.
In addition to living the motto that when her customers look good – so does she, Ms. Bucci believes, "Well-made clothing – clothing that looks good and feels great – is an important investment for any woman to make in herself."
Philip Pelusi"Philip Pelusi is an internationally recognized stylist, photographer and product artist, whose name is synonymous with excellence in the industry. Having gone from 1 salon to 13, as well as a magnificent industry centerpiece in New York City, Mr. Pelusi has developed a philosophy, 2 highly acclaimed product lines, and a system for success; he trademarked the phrase "A Cut Above The Rest" to coincide with his registered Volumetric® haircutting technique around which he built his empire, and is often quoted as saying "I didn't invent the haircut, I just made it better."
The Volumetric® technique challenged Mr. Pelusi to create products that could support his design. As a result, he launched the Philip Pelusi® P2 line of professional hair care and skin care. He took center stage in the industry by unveiling Tela Design Studio by Philip Pelusi in Manhattan's eclectic Meatpacking District, and incorporating his intelligent hairstyling service with a sophisticated palette of sensory experiences – including his second product line, Tela Beauty Organics by Philip Pelusi, the industry's first USDA certified organic line of hair care products, available at upscale retail locations, salons and spas across the country.
Tela Design Studio has become a much sought after space for chic fashion events – including NYC Fashion Week – and offers clients over 100 different varieties of organic teas and a wine list that complements the panache of this convivial oasis for artists, friends and conversation.
Because of his acumen in the area of hair care, Mr. Pelusi is a much in demand expert regularly appearing in trade and consumer publications, including "Art of Business" a readers' favorite column in the American Salon, and regular features in Happi Magazine, Beauty Snob, and Real Cougar Woman. In addition, his product lines have been well received in such magazines as Launchpad, InStyle, WWD, O, Marie Claire, and Cosmo, and are frequently used in the television and movie industry.
As a favorite go-to beauty expert, Mr. Pelusi has, himself, appeared on ABC Television Network, and on QVC and Martha Stewart's Living Today show on Sirius Radio. He is also a requested hair expert for Beauty Live shows at selected Nordstroms across the country.
In addition to building his own outstanding career, Mr. Pelusi is committed to passing on his commitment to excellence through the Philip Pelusi Design Center, a state of the art education facility that provides skill certification for his 350+ designers, and events and seminars for salon professionals from all across North America. InStyle named Mr. Pelusi one of the top 10 Stylists in the country adding to his accolades as Top Designer of the World by Lo Zeffiro and World Master by the Art and Fashion Group International.
Patricia (Tricia) DeemsPatricia (Tricia) Deems is a well-known and respected fashion coordinator and commentator in the Pittsburgh area. She started her career as a professional model and later pursued a career in fashion coordination and public speaking. In addition, thirty-five years ago she opened her own business, Jonell. Jonell is a multi faceted business, which includes the Jonell School of Finishing, a self confidence program for teens introduced through modeling techniques, and Jonell, a business of fashion.
Ms. Deems is proud to have worked with companies such as Simon Properties (Ross Park Mall, South Hills Village, Century III Mall), One Oxford Centre, Fifth Avenue Place, Westmoreland Mall, as well as hundreds of independent exclusive boutiques and stores in the Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New York, and Florida areas. Over the years, the business grew rapidly from small private functions to larger events and benefit shows at country clubs, event centers, theaters, and premiere hotels.
Recognized as a successful fashion coordinator, all her benefit shows were custom designed to meet the specific needs of each of the following worthwhile organizations, the Steeler Fashion Bowl, P.O.W.E.R Promises, Ronald McDonald House, I.S.D.A. Fair Lady Frolic, Carabella and Altzheimers, St Barnabus, U.P.M.C, Cadillac Corporation, plus numerous special events all raising money for their cause.
When asked today, Ms. Deems will still tell you, "FASHION IS MY PASSION!"
She is a native Pittsburgher and resides in Wexford, PA. She earned her bachelor degree in Psychology from LaRoche and was a fashion instructor for community college for 20 years. She feels her greatest success has been raising four children and sixteen grandchildren, and her greatest treasure is her loving family.
Arnold ZegarelliThe consummate gentleman, Arnold Zegarelli has a zest for life that emanates from the inside. His encouraging spirit is larger than life, and so is his talent for creating a sensational hair style.
A motivating force in the beauty and fashion industry for more than 50 year, Arnold had mentored many top beauty designers. Dubbed Pittsburgh's "hair maestro." He has inspired and educated a generation of hairstylists with his holistic approach to professionalism.
Arnold and his late brother Robert became world-renowned hair educators and platform artists from the 1950s through the 1980s. They crown jewels of Seligman and Latz, the world's biggest salon chain in the Fifties and Sixties and owner of Horne's and other department stores. The Zegarelli brothers opened the Coiffure Creation Academy, an advanced haircutting school for Pittsburgh Beauty Academy from 1961 to 1971. Along the way, they won acclaim as two of the most sought-after educators in the beauty industry.
Arnold was honored as one of the top 30 haircutters in the United States by Self magazine. His knowledge and desire to motivate professionals led him to author a book, Diamond Capsules for Success and Wisdom. He also developed a successful product line and has made countless television appearances from local stations to Oprah Winfrey. Most recently, he has worked as educational director for the uber-chic Izzazu Salon and Spa in Pittsburgh.
Arnold's cutting methods are consistent in their beauty and simplicity. A class with him is a rewarding education that boosts a hairstylist's career. And time in his chair is an experience that engages not just the head, but the heart ad the mind.
"I don't do hair, I do people," the amiable icon once-said."Cutting hair is easy. It's the people that really fascinate me."
Naomi Sims If your gonna do it, you might as well do it right.
Before Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford, and Tyra Banks, there were supermodels such as Pat Cleveland, Twiggy – and Naomi Sims.
Naomi Ruth Sims was born in Oxford, Miss., in 1948, but while she was still a baby her mother moved her and her two sisters to Pittsburgh. She grew up in the eastern part of the city and graduated Westinghouse High School in 1966.
As smart as she was striking, Naomi won a scholarship to the Fashion Institute of Technology. She moved to New York in 1966, and classmates and others urged the willowy beauty to consider modeling. She did, but was repeatedly rejected by agencies uninterested in a model of her completion. So, she decided to represent herself. She soon won national renown, becoming the first black model in a national TV campaign (AT&T) and the first black model to appear on the cover of Ladies Home Journal (in 1968).
With her career still ascending, Naomi retired from the professional modeling in 1973. She soon became known as a savvy businesswoman, designing cosmetics and wig collections for an underserved black market and writing five books on modeling and beauty. She delved into other areas, from skin care to beauty salon ownership.
As Naomi built a multimillion-dollar empire, black models such as Pat Cleveland and Beverly Johnson began walking through doors – and down runways – that she had helped to open up.
Naomi also believed in service to others, teaching New York children how to read better and raising funds for causes such as a home for girls in Atlanta. She died Aug. 1, 2009 in Newark, NJ., at the age 61, survived by her son, a granddaughter and a sister.
For her pioneering career in fashion and beauty, Naomi Sims is honored posthumously as a Pittsburgh fashion icon.
Jane VandermadeIf your gonna do it, you might as well do it right.
Jane Vanermade graduated from Carnegie Tech (Carnegie Mellon) in 1947 with a degree in Costume Economics and was immediately hired by the Joseph Horne Co., in the fashion Office. She became Assistant Fashion Director in 1953, Fashion Director in 1960, and was promoted to Vice President in 1975.
According to Jane, those were the "golden days" of fashion. In addition to many trips to New York, she was off twice a year to cover the shows in Paris, London, Milan, and Rome – with occasional trips to Barcelona, Madrid, Florence, Copenhagen, and Dublin. The shows were brilliant and Jane was entertained in the homes of Yves St. Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel, and attended a magnificent dinner party at Versailles given by the House of Dior.
During that period, Jane reported on all incoming fashion trends – colors, fabrics, and silhouettes. She was responsible for many of the fashion ads and fashion catalogs.
The fashion office at Joseph Hornes Co. was also responsible for all fashion shows – large and small. For 25 years they co-sponsored the "Symphony Fashion Gala" with the Synphony Association, which featured many of the biggest designers from around the world. Jane wrote and directed all 25 events. The audiences at Heinz Hall grew over 5,000 people. The Fashion gala was recognized as the premier event on all of the fashion industry.
Jane retired in 1992 having spent 45 years at Joseph Hornes Co. during a most wonderful and creative time in fashion.
NijoleThe name Nijole is synonymous with style in Pittsburgh. Born in Lithuania, she moved to Cleveland and then New York City, where she studied voice with Thelma Votipka of the Metropolitan Opera. She modeled for many top designers in New York, including Bill Blass, Adolfo, and Carolina Herrera. When she moved to Pittsburgh with her family to continue her career in fashion, her first stop was Miller's Ladies Boutique, which had six locations.
When Saks Fifth Avenue opened a stand-alone store here, Nijole spent 17 years as director of fashion publicity and special events until 1999. She produced events that became the talk of the town. Charitable and nonprofit organizations such as the American Cancer and Multiple Sclerosis, Family House, Women's Center and Shelter, Hadassah, Make-A-wish Foundation, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Ballet, Civic Light Opera, Genesis, and local hospitals benefited from her creativity and energy. Events she organized helped to raise more than $2 million.
Nijole demonstrated a quick wit and consummate professional while commentating shows. Behind the scenes, she could be seen unloading a truck, steaming an outfit, hustling models onto the runway. As she interacted with person's ranging from Pittsburgh Steelers and corporate chiefs to public officials and everyday people, she could convince anyone to walk the runway – and she always made them look fabulous.
After Saks, Nijole's next stop was the LeMont, assisting with the grand re-opening of a premiere Pittsburgh restaurant. She began to miss involvement in the fashion scene, so she went to work at Shadyside women's boutique Ruth Young, now Linda Bucci.
Outside work, Nijole in the past has served as a model instructor at Barbizon, taught self-improvement classes at Carnegie Museum, and worked with youth a adults at Kaufmann's. She also hosted the first cable-TV talk show in Mt. Lebanon.
Joseph OrlandoJoseph Orlando, Sr. was born in 1932 in the Pittsburgh home of his parents Stefano and Eleanora Orlando from Calabria, Italy. Joseph is the youngest of 8 children and was raised in East Liberty.
When Joseph returned to Pittsburgh from his tour of duty as a sergeant 1st class in the U.S. Army stationed in Korea, he began his lifelong career in men's fashion. It was 1955 when he became a salesman at Alex Reich's men's clothing store on Highland Avenue. In 1957, at the age of 23, he was recruited by Hughes & Hatcher men's store on Wood Street in downtown Pittsburgh as a salesman. Within a year, Joseph became a buyer and ultimately the merchandise manager responsible for 16 Hughes & Hatcher stores in Pennsylvania and Ohio. During his 25 years with Hughes & Hatcher, Joseph traveled the world on buying trips, delivering tasteful fashion to Pittsburgh and suburban malls throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio.
In 1980, Joseph was voted one of Pittsburgh's "Best Dressed" and featured in the August edition of The Pittsburgher magazine.
On August,3, 1981, Joseph Orlando Gentlemen's Clothier opened. Joseph continues to furnish traditional, classic, high fashion, quality clothing to Pittsburgh. During the 29 years of Joseph Orlando Gentlemen's Clothier, Joseph continues to dress Pittsburgh's finest businessmen, doctors, bankers, attorneys, sport figures, broadcasters, politicians, and fashion-conscious men of all walks of life from a variety of cities, states, and countries.
Joseph Orlando has quite simply provided tasteful fashion and style to the city of Pittsburgh for 54 years. He did all this with ease and elegance while being married to his wife 54 years, Noreen (Sansoti). Together, they raised three children and enjoy seven grandchildren.
Indeed, Joseph Orland, Sr. is a Pittsburgh fashion icon!
Barbara CloudGrowing up in Uniontown, Pa., Barbara Cloud's ambition was to be an actress. After graduating Westminster College with a bachelor's degree in speech and drama, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in theater. To help pay the bills, she worked as showroom model for a coat and swim suit manufacturer
She soon returned to her hometown and was hired as women's editor for the local newspaper in 1952. Thus began a 55-year career in daily newspapers that brought her to Pittsburgh and the exciting world of fashion journalism.
Barbara's readers appreciated her as an engaging, gifted wordsmith. In 30 years as fashion editor for the Pittsburgh Press, she met and wrote about many interesting people. The list reads like a Who's Who of the rich and famous; Phyllis Diller, Nancy Regan, Telly Savalas, Bill Blass, Diahann Caroll, Charlton Heston, Judy Garland, Vidal Sassoon, Julie Newmar, Gloria Swanson, Joan Crawford, and Adolfo, to name just a few.
She retired from the Post-Gazette in 2008. In 2009 she published By-Line, a collection of columns from her illustrious career as a fashion editor.
Barbara describes Drew, her son, as "my greatest achievement". He and his wife, Maggie, made Barbara a grandmother in 2008. The couple is expecting their second child this month. Needless to say, Barbara is elated!
