GIVING IN STYLE {fashion in the philanthropy lane}
FASHION IS ART AT FASHION BY ROBERT BLACK Tyler Butler | Fashion Writer
A vintage vibe radiates from Fashion by Robert Black. But the joy this building exudes is nothing new. For 56 years the historic White Hogan building on East First Avenue was home to three generations of Native silversmiths. At the time, jewelry created in the building broke the mould for Navajo jewelry, presenting a new “modern” Native American chic. In fact, the store was so iconic that items created there were featured in Life magazine in 1956 and are still coveted today. When the building sold in 2008, Arizona was in the midst of the Great Recession. However, visionary Doreen Picerne realized the value of this spot in the heart of the Southwest’s “Rodeo Drive” and purchased the building without having a purpose for the space. Having been a customer herself at the White Hogan, Picerne was dedicated to preserving a little bit of Scottsdale history. Picerne partnered with her longtime friend
32 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JULY 2018
Robert Black, who is known for his role as CEO of the Ford Robert Black Agency. They discussed their mutual love of vintage, their desire to contribute to Scottsdale’s artistic community and the need for the White Hogan to have its next iteration. And so, Fashion by Robert Black was born. Because of the pair’s deep roots in the community, they wanted to create a shop that would not only beautify the Valley, but also contribute to causes that are meaningful to them both. So far the shop has supported 75 fashion shows, an average of eight per year. As a team they have been drawn to charities moving important issues forward, but ones that don’t have a “machine” behind them. A few examples are Two Pups Wellness Fund, Scottsdale Artists’ School and the Phoenix Indian Center. The duo also recognizes the value of Arizona’s blossoming arts and culture scene and Picerne and Black are fans of Fashion
