Designer and creative director team up on airport fashion show and exhibit

By Abby Kirkland / For the Post-Gazette

Who says people don’t dress up to go to the airport anymore?

As part of Art in the Airport, a creative director and designer presented “Cadence,” a fashion show and a exhibit of six dresses that will continue through March 25 at Pittsburgh International Airport in Moon.

Creative director Cat Burton and Cathy Trostle-Olivar, a first-generation Latin American designer, teamed up to kick off the project Sept. 30 with a fashion show.

The name, inspired by the ending sequence of notes of a musical phrase, symbolizes “bidding farewell to my 20s and paving the way for new beginnings into my 30s,” said Burton, a member of the airport’s arts advisory board and a creative producer for The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

She met Trostle-Olivar, the creative director of the Cathy Olivar Brand, while working together on a museumlab exhibition in 2022. Burton asked the designer if she was willing to put on a fashion show with her, and Trostle-Olivar jumped at the chance.

“We talked about ... some of the prevalent emotions Cat felt going through this time and from there I started sketching,” said Trostle-Olivar, who stresses sustainability in fashion.

She was able to use leftover fabric and other items to create dresses in natural fibers such as silk or bamboo knit. For the dress “Wearing Many Hats,” Trostle-Olivar reused thrifted hats.

Each piece in the Cadence collection represents a different emotion, the power of embracing change, growth and the uncharted paths that lie ahead.

“Blooming Artist” is a black, princess-like dress with petals like a blooming flower that represents Burton “stepping into her 30s and feeling self-confident and carrying on to a new and exciting part of life.”

“Imposter Syndrome” is a two-piece outfit. The model takes off one dress to reveal another dress underneath.

“The Veil” is an all-white ensemble that represents coming into a career path with a blank slate.

“Carrying the Weight” is a jumpsuit combining different fabrics with a removable cape representing releasing negative thoughts either internal or from others.

Trostle-Olivar was honored to be a part of creating the “Cadence” collection.

“I’m very excited to work with everyone,” she said. “As a new designer, it was the first time I worked with some of the models and it’s nice to have a community of local designers.

 “I hope that people who go to see this collection can find something to relate to. The collection speaks to a creative looking for that piece in their life. Hopefully the collection will resonate with viewers.”

The designs will be on display in the airport’s landside terminal, transit level, through March 2025.

Abby Kirkland ([email protected]) is a freelance writer living in Mt. Lebanon.