February 17, 2026
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Pittsburgh Opera’s “It’s About Time” Fashion Show will be Richard Parsakian’s last
Pittsburgh Opera’s annual fashion show benefit will take place the evening of Monday, March 23rd at the Bitz Opera Factory at 2425 Liberty Avenue in the Strip District. This year’s event will be curated by Richard Parsakian, owner of Eons Fashion Antique of Shadyside with hair and makeup styling by Studio Booth.
Showcasing more than a century of style, this year’s theme is "It's About Time," an experience Parsakian calls “Fashion Theatre”, which will blend movement with dancers, actors, and iconic leaders of Pittsburgh’s arts community. His fresh take on styling period dress will showcase vintage couture from 1890 to through the 1990s.
Richard has been an icon in Pittsburgh’s fashion scene for eons. His store will celebrate 40 years in July and is a resource for costume designers in film, TV, dance, and theatre. A past curator of the annual Ecolution sustainability fashion gala, Richard has created fashion events for the Andy Warhol Museum and Metropol nightclubs among others. He was the 2024 Grand Marshal of Pittsburgh Pride and honored in 2023 by the Three Rivers Business Alliance as LGBTQIA+ Leader of the Year. In 2016 Richard made his Pittsburgh Opera debut as costume designer for Ricky Ian Gordon’s “27”.
He has announced that “It’s About Time” will be his final fashion show after 45 years of event work.
“We’re going out with a bang,” said Parsakian. “This show will be the culmination of my dream to bring all art forms and friends who I have worked with over the years together in one interactive evening that gives voice to artists we need to uplift. Each piece in this show has personal meaning to me, and has been chosen for a specific reason. Expect surprises, it’s going to be an epic evening. #ArtEqualsTruth”
Pittsburgh Opera’s award-winning Resident Artists will perform as well as walk the runway.
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will commence at 6:30 PM. The runway presentation starts at 7:30 PM, and is followed by drinks and dancing with the models and artists.
Tickets are available online at pittsburghopera.org/fashion. General Admission (standing room) tickets are $60 and come with a complimentary signature cocktail crafted by event partner Mindful Hospitality Group and light bites from Aviva Catering. Student tickets are $15. VIP tickets, with reserved seating, a free product gift bag, two drink tickets, and other perks, are available for $175. Items on sale at the event and a special jewelry raffle from Diamonds Direct will benefit Pittsburgh Opera.
This year's event is generously Co-Chaired by Melanie Crockard and Michele Fabrizi with Honorary Chair Karin Legato. Sponsors include:
- Presenting Sponsor: James and Melanie Crockard Foundation
- Michele Fabrizi
- N. David and Janet M. Campbell Family Foundation
- Heather Chronis Danek
- The Linaburg Foundation
- Michael and Kumiko Lancet
For sponsorship opportunities, please call Torrance Gricks, Manager of Corporate Development & Events Fundraising, at 412-281-0912 ext. 225, or contact him via email.
