This Year You Can OWN a Madcap Couture Gown!

This year, we have a very exciting new addition to the Madcap Masquerade. By popular demand, we will be auctioning off a selection of the Carousel Couture gowns directly following the fashion show. Party-goers have asked every year where they can get their hands on the wonderful gowns, and the designers are also eager to see their designs off the runway.

Eight out of the sixteen gowns for the show will be auctioned off that night. The designers of the auction gowns are:

Brittney Thieroff for Babylove Designs

Carl Williams

Jennie Canning for Diondega

Lets Get Trashed!

Nami Ogawa for ZETO

Nicole Scarpone

Jena-Anne Sabom for SABOM Style

Zoe Collins

I can tell you right now, that you will want to bid on not one, but all of the gowns available. From what I have seen so far they are all stunningly avant-garde and wearable at the same time.

One of the first concerns about this auction was that all the gowns would be small sizes, but all the designers are willing to alter the gowns to the winning bidder's desires and many of them are able to be altered from a size 2 to a size 10! The prices of the gowns are very diverse too, we will have a price point for everyone. Currently, the lowest starting bid will be $100 and the highest is $1,800.

After the fashion show on Saturday night, don't forget to go up to the runway to see the designs up close, chat with the designers, and palce your bids.

Festival of Lights to be Showcased at Madcap

Last night was the official debut of a lighting installation on the 535-foot-tall Cathedral of Learning and the Stephen Foster Memorial on University of Pittsburgh's campus. The buildings also look over Schenley Plaza, the location of this year's Madcap Masquearade, and will serve as an elaborate backdrop for the ball next Saturday.  Special clear tents have been arranged so that masqueraders will be able to see the lighting display throughout the night without obstruction.

The Cathedral of Learning display is just one of the amazing lighting displays, including Katz Plaza and the Omni William Penn Hotel, that are illuminating out city for the next few weeks.

For more information check out the official photo-site for the Festival of Lights PittsburghGrapevine.com, and this Post-Gazette article that gives more details on the project.

Event Site: Schenley Plaza

This year's Madcap Masquerade is moving from the Hunt Armory in Shadyside (where the past three spooky spectaculars were held) the the shiny new Schenley Plaza in Oakland. Situated in the heart of Oakland (right across from the Cathedral of Learning, and next to the Carnegie Library), the Plaza is a major destination for university students, business people, and anyone who loves the outdoors. With proximity to many cultural attractions, and plenty of open space, it truly has something for everyone!

Food vendors along the perimeter provide everything from hot chocolate to pizza - and with free Wi-fi, the Plaza is the perfect place to spend your free time.

We can't wait to see the space transformed for the Masquerade. Giant clear tents will be annexed to the existing round white one, and heated that night to ensure a comfortable atmosphere. A floor will also be put down so nobody's stilettos disappear into the ground (what a travesty that would be!). In addition to fabulous decor and lighting, this will all be constructed immediately before the event so that there is minimal risk of damaging the grass below. Once it is all deconstructed on Sunday, the party will disappear like a ghost!

                                            

Check out these photos of the Plaza and the amazing carousel - you can see why we chose it as the inspiration for the fashion show!

The carousel features more than just your typical horses - look for giraffes, pigs, dragons and dolphins!

Purchase Your Tickets for this year's Madcap

Tickets for this year's masquerade are on sale now and can be purchased through the Parks Conservancy's website. There are three distinct levels of tickets that can be purchased for the event.

The first level is Benefactor which sells for $1000 per ticket. This ticket includes two reservations for the event and VIP reception, dinner, Carousel Couture fashion show, program recognition, valet parking, event signage, and sponsorship listing on pittsburghparks.org.

The next level is Patron for $250 per person. This ticket includes admittance for one person to the event and VIP reception, dinner, Carousel Couture fashion show, and valet parking.

The third level is After 9 Supporter for $50 per person. This ticket gains admission to the "After 9" portion of the evening, including complimentary drinks, dessert, and dancing.

The Carousel Couture fashion show takes place each year during the After 9 part of the night, so no matter what level ticket you purchase, rest assured you will be able to see the fabulous couture creations by our local designers! The Parks Conservancy is a wonderful cause to support, so please buy your tickets soon for this unforgettable night!

The Date is Set for this year's Madcap Masquerade

On Saturday, October 25, 2008 the fourth annual Madcap Masquerade featuring this year's fashion show theme Carousel Couture will take place at Schenley Plaza in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.  The event is one of the annual fundraisers for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, funds raised at the first Madcap went towards creating Schenley Plaza where the event will take place this year.

This year, the Parks Conservancy expects 600+ guests, many of whom return each year to see the spectacular fashion presentation. It is unlike any other fashion show in Pittsburgh in that it features one-of-a-kind original creations by Pittsburgh designers. This year's show features 16 designers who will create black-tie couture gowns inspired by the carousel at Schenley Plaza. Past themes for the show have included Couture Noire, Black&White, and International Masquerade.

Check out this blog often for updates on the event as well as bios on all of the participating designers.