Feb / March 2011 featuring Brandi Engel

MANIAC FEBRUARY l MARCH 2011

love THE

ISSUE

REBECCA MINKOFF UPCYCLING?

BRANDI ENGEL PITTSBURGH’S SWEETHEART

JET-SET: HAWAII

DATE NIGHT: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE STEEL CITY’S MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS

KATIE GALLAGHER

ROMANTIC GETAWAYS WHERE TO TAKE YOUR SPECIAL SOMEONE ON THAT LONG WEEKEND

MARK PELLEGRINO $2.95

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MANIAC

MANIAC FEBRUARY / MARCH 11 STAFF

RECEIVES NATIONAL COVERAGE ON E! NEWS FOR ANNALYNNE MCCORD!

Publisher/Editor in Chief April Hubal

Nov 19:

AnnaLynne’s Publicist grants approval for the Cover shoot, so excited!

Nov 20:

Booked flight for shoot for L.A.

Nov 23:

1 pm: Called Celestine agency L.A. to book Albert Mendonca as the stylist.

BY a pril hubal

In lieu of the success of MANIAC’s Dec/Jan Issue, as the photographer and publisher I would like to take you behind the scenes for the real story on how we made the shoot happen, because it almost didn’t. Let’s look at the timeline:

2 pm: Booked location, a penthouse suite.

Editor Sarah Lolley

Nov 24:

9 am: Leave Pittsburgh on flight to LAX. 11:05 pm: Arrive in LA. Hotel is an hour away from airport in Manhattan Beach, so tired. Get to hotel, eat cookies and milk, prep for an hour.

2:35 am: Finally go to bed completely jet-lagged.

Art Director/Designer Andrew Tutko

Nov 25:

DAY OF SHOOT 7:35 am: Alarm!

Public/Media Relations Ashley Sowinski

DECEMBER l JANUARY 2010

THE JAM-PACKED

ENTERTAINMENT ISSUE

some extra sleep.

9 am: Arrive at penthouse to meet Allison the assistant from BWR-La, AnnaLynne’s publicist. AnnaLynne walks through the door looking as if

Director of Advertising Rebecca Tudi Photography Hector Corante Adam Hendershott Paris Nicholson Casey Monteverde Michelle Russ Bill Schmitt Eric Williams

MANIAC

8:15 am: Leave hotel So tired driving, pull over for 10 minutes just to get 90210’S LEADING VIXEN

ANNALYNNE MCCORD GOSSIP GIRL’S SAM PAGE

one of the Olsen twins dressed her. The lady at the front desk says she

STYLIST TO THE STARS:

didn’t have us on her appointment sheet. After countless phone calls to

FILM:

friends we are finally approved and taken up to the suite.

MUSIC:

9:35 am: All of us cram into the elevator with hair stylist, makeup artist, actress, and publicist. Get off the elevator and step into what we thought was the penthouse suite. Beer and champagne bottle glass are everywhere.

The bathroom is unusable with bottles in the bathtub. AnnaLynne’s

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publicist looks at me and replies, “We are NOT shooting here! You better

Andrew, Rebecca & April

have a backup plan in 10 minutes or the shoot is off.” I say to her, “Its 9a.m. on a Sunday in LA, there is no back up.”After fighting with me about checking out the location before hand, finally the stylist replies, “Let’s shoot

Writers Nicole Aikens Jared Bundy Sharmaine Browne Bridgette Cunningham Chelsea L Danley Nicole DiCarlo Bethie Girmai Zara Husaini Dominic Janidas Sarah Lolley Jennifer K McGlincy Susie Meister Jammie Mountz Katherine Reel Ashley Sowinski Rebecca Tudi Interns Abby Spreng Su Min Park Colleen McGuckin Jammie Mountz

6

MANIAC MAGAZINE

at my apartment.”

So we took the whole AnnaLynne camp to Albert’s apartment.

219 Fort Pitt Blvd. | Pittsburgh, PA 15222 maniaceditor@maniacmagazine.com | maniacexchange.com 412.325.0052 l advertising inquries 412.325.0052

10:45 am: We arrive at Albert’s apartment.

11:15 am: Lighting is all set.

12:20 pm: Hair and makeup are done; publicist reminds me we only have two and half hours to finish the shoot. I think this is the best shoot I have ever done given the condition

ON THE COVER

Dec 7:

Magazine hit stands!

Dec 30:

MANIAC Magazine gets National media coverage on E! News. The rep for the network said the photos were beautiful they gave the segment 2 minutes on prime time.

The segment featured juicy quotes from Sarah Lolley’s story about AnnaLynne’s on-screen time with rapper 50 Cent, her admiration of Angelina Jolie, and her lust for a role opposite Robert Downey Jr. Proof that MANIAC makes it happen!

Brandi Engel wears a fuchsia satin dress by Flavio Castellani, a striped silk scarf by Sete di Jaipur and a Fire Engine 3 zip rocker bag by Rebecca Minkoff. Shot by April Hubal, styled by Bridgette Cunningham. Hair by Harmony Kaiser, Lauren Loveland and Krista Jee from Harmony Salon; and makeup by Patty Bell.

7

MANIAC FEBRUARY l MARCH 11

CONTENTS

MANIAC

MANIAC

TAKING A BIGGER BITE OUTTA LIFE

DEAR MANIAC LOVERS,

How do I count the ways that love pulls at our heart strings and fashions our lives? This issue we take our cue from cupid and put an angel on the cover, Brandi Engel. Full of life and love for her hometown, Brandi is the perfect person to warm our pages with color and panache. We take a look at her story that landed her from Hollywood’s star class to be “the Face” of the CW network.

MANIAC knows where to feed the fire between you and your honey. Whether a destination or tantalizing dinner if you don’t fall in love with the one you are with you might fall in love with the experience. Our featured getaway trips will fit a weekend of love, or lust. If you need a shorter tryst, then try one of our Romantic Restaurant experiences.

10. UNDERCOVER

Hometown-loving lady Brandi Engel, tells us her secrets and how she keeps her star-crossed adventures real.

22. PROFILE

From Heaven & Hell our man Mark Pellegrino spills his heart.

24. ART

Katie Gallagher inspires us with her textile creativity.

28. BEAUTY

Pucker up baby with these Hot Lips!

32. FASHION

Red hot looks, The Scarlet Letter.

30. STYLE

Behind the man of restaurant Tamari.

PAGE 62

42. MUSIC

The Beautiful Life of the Hasselhoff sisters.

44. JET-SET

Sun shines brighter in Hawaii, so get far, far away with us.

PAGE 10

49. FUN

Pittsburgh Photo Booth lends us some vintage good times.

Desire some retail therapy? Our Scarlet Letter shoot highlights the red that bleeds our passion for fashion. Red is the new black for the season, but white is winter’s natural palette. Our MANIAC Shop feature takes its inspiration from a season of neutral separates while featuring garments from local retailers.

Snow can’t freeze our fever for these looks of love.

Susie Miester introduces readers to a different and new kind of love story, the Husband Upgrade. Susie is a true MANIAC having held the post as editor and a survivor of MTV’s reality TV show “Road Rules.”

She begins her story by falling in love, falling out, and falling back in. In this reality show/column, we get to peer into her journey from blue collar babe to worldly goddess. Along the way she gives us her insight into how she survived, mostly by laughing and keeping true to herself.

54. GUIDE

What kind of couple are you?

Destinations that won’t take you too far from home.

58. FEATURE

Sharing their Beautiful Life as celebrity sisters, the Hasselhoff girls give MANIAC the scoop on their new musical life as the band Bella Vida. Want more of the things that we love, catch the fashion pixie styles of Katie Gallagher, a true artist of textiles. Another true artist, Mark Pellegrino teases the lines between heaven and hell in his new role as a vampire of the Syfy channel’s Being Human.

For the love of vintage, Pageboy Boutique tells us about how they give life to classic clothing.

60. HUSBAND UPGRADE

Susie Meister shares her story of falling in and out of love.

62. PROFILE

This is the beginning of my journey with you, dear lovers.

Along with way let’s laugh, live, and learn to love new things, and people.

The handbag maven Rebecca Minkoff tells us about her passions.

68. GUIDE

71. HEALTH

“I am only responsible for my own heart, you offered yours up for the smashing my darling. Only a fool would give out such a vital organ” — Anaïs Nin

72. FITNESS

With Love,

Where to feed your face and your passion.

The secrets behind Stem Cell Facials.

Sexy secrets behind X Shadyside’s ad campaign.

Sarah Lolley Sarah Lolley l Editor

Continue to follow me at www.accidentalmama.com

8PAGE 54

PAGE 44

PAGE 24

9

MANIAC UNDERCOVER: BRANDI ENGEL

Flavio Castellani, fushia satin dress $380, E.B. Pepper, Sete di Jaipur, Stripe Silk Scarf $204, E.B. Pepper

randi is the quintessential Pittsburgh girl despite her Hollywood career and starstudded acquaintances. After starring in a movie role at the age of seventeen and performing alongside famous film actors in various projects, she came back home to attend Duquesne University. Now she has become our neighborhood girl-about-town on the network CW. Her ambitions began as a little girl in a big family. Her dad, Dean, had dreams of turning his little girl into a softball or soccer star.

At the same time her mom, Jeanette, enrolled her into dance that led to Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Now she is finishing a Master Degree in Public Relations after receiving a Bachelor in Broadcast Journalism. Calls from her Hollywood agent haven’t stopped; neither have the jobs from the film studios here. Where will her heart lead her next?

For right now she can be found many places around her hometown, like her neighborhood mall the Galleria. On a cold day

their shared heritage.

Subsequently, her road to LA began in Pittsburgh after she attended an acting workshop with John Homa, who was an acting coach on General Hospital. Homa convinced her to go out to California and study with him.

She met Katie Cassidy, now on Gossip Girl, while in class. However, fate changed when she was running an errand to a talent manager Lena Roklin. At the time Brandi was making the decision whether to pursue her acting career or accept a scholarship from Duquesne.

“I remember [Roklin] telling me to go to school. ‘This is very hard, but before you go, read this.’ I was reading this emotional scene.

Then she said, ‘Wait, I am going to cry. Just wait!’ My parents were outside waiting for me on Sunset Blvd. She ran out and got on her knees and said ‘She is staying. She has to go on this audition.’” That audition landed her the lead role in Believe in Me a film about a female basketball team.

“I like to say I grew up a little bit fast. I was a naïve, seventeen-year-old from Pittsburgh. I was put into this world where there weren’t any rules.”

HOT FOR BRANDI MANIAC TALKS WITH PITTSBURGH’S IT GIRL BRANDI ENGEL

BY s arah l ol l e y P HOTOGRA P HY BY a pril hubal S TYLED BY bri dgette c unni ngham HA IR BY harmon y k ai s er, l auren l ovel and & krista jee from harmon y salon, wexf ord M A K EUP BY pa tty bel l 10

in January, MANIAC got the chance to sit down and share a latte with her while people bustled around us trying to listen to our conversation.

She has a casual glamorous style, tall and bubbly with an immediate generous concern for others.

“My family is hilarious,” she says referring to her tight knit Lebanese family. “I wish we could do a reality show. Seriously it would be like the Kardashians mixed with My Big Fat Greek Wedding, mixed with pure insanity. Everyone’s talking loudly and eating, everything revolves around food.”

“My grandma was the only one that was into fashion,” she explains while admitting her family are more jocks then art lovers. “I love Shirley Temple because of her. That was my start because I watched all the Shirley Temple movies. I would always put on make-up and talk to myself in the mirror and have imaginary friends. And then I had the jock side of me.”

During the filming of Kill Point a television series on SpikeTV, John Leguizamo, who is also Lebanese, came over her house for some home cooking during filming. Donny Walhberg was on that set as well. Brandi was not shy to try her hand at some New Kids On the Block moves to tease the ex-tween heartthrob Donnie. He responded by showing her how to correctly execute their famous dance move, the side dip.

It should be said that her dance moves, however, started with ballet then on to musical theater. She even starred as Jesus in Godspell at the age of sixteen. Her enthusiasm for shaking her hips led to instructing a belly dancing class while working in Los Angeles; friends even called her Shakira in reference to

After calling the dean at Duquesne and asking them to hold her scholarship for a year, she was in New Mexico for four months of filming. The rest of that year she rode out working on projects in LA. It meant a big commitment from her parents, who had to be on set the entire time because she was a minor. “I like to say I grew up a little bit fast,” she says. “I was a naïve, seventeen-year-old from Pittsburgh. I was put into this world where there weren’t any rules.

By the end of the year nothing shocked me.

There was a lot of sex and drugs. Not me, just witnessing it. I could not let myself go and get carried away in some sort of scene when I had to have someone there with me all the time.”

Her parents rent an apartment while she works in Hollywood and when she was a teenager would alternate back and forth from managing their local business Mattress World. It was there during her early years that she first rubbed elbows with the new stars of Hollywood; working out with Jake Gyllenhaal, the band Maroon 5 was in her building, eating next to Justin Timberlake, and running into Eva Longoria shopping became normal everyday life for her. “My mom would say ‘I feel like a hillbilly out here.’ That’s how she felt.” However, that is hard to believe since Brandi grew up playing with Barbie dolls while her mother was dressed by echelons of fashion at Emphatics located in One Oxford Center downtown.

In 2006 while working in LA she had a MANIAC moment on a commercial set for Baskin Robbins. “I pulled up in downtown LA and there were a lot of trailers so I thought that the job was legit and a big production. I walk in, I got some food, and I am sitting there. I look 11

MANIAC UNDERCOVER: BRANDI ENGEL Akiko, Vintage Pleated Dress $220, Hip’tique, Multicolor Chain Neck Set $32, Hip’tique

12

Mark & James by Badgley Mischka, Purple off the shoulder dress, $298, E.B. Pepper

13

MANIAC UNDERCOVER: CATEGORY BRANDIHEADER ENGEL over and there was Drew Barrymore. I was like; wait a second what is going on? I starred opposite Drew Barrymore in a Baskin Robbins commercial. She was really awesome, down-to-earth, there was no divaness about her.”

Throughout her acting career the best advice she received to help her survive many Hollywood moments could be applied to everything she does. “No matter what you do, act confidence, professional, easy to work with, and act like you have been there before no matter how intimidating or scary the situation.” This was good advice when she found herself auditioning for huge movie companies.

“I would always put that in the back of my mind when they would just throw me at all these different places. I remember going to DreamWorks, it looks like Jurassic Park, and going through these huge gates. Driving through and saying ‘I am Brandi Engel. I am here for my audition.’ Sitting in the

that they hired her as “The Face” of the CW network.

Now she works with the marketing department to engage audiences and utilize social media outlets.

However, her first broadcast journalism experience was while attending high school in Mt Lebanon and working with the school news program.

It was then that she got to interview her first star, which was subsequently her brother, Corey’s football mate. (She also has a younger brother Jon Jon). Joe Manganiello, who was at the time was making his Hollywood debut as the villain Flash Thompson in the first Spider-Man movie, came home to fanfare and the smiling face of Brandi behind a microphone.

Now he is the heartthrob werewolf Alcide on HBO’s series True Blood. When asked during a recent interview if he remembers Brandi, he responded fondly. Like Brandi, Joe is a steadfast Pittsburgher and remembers his roots no matter how bright the lights get.

Akiko, Vintage Pleated Dress $220, Hip’tique, Multicolor Chain Neck Set $32, Hip’tique

“I never expected to be in LA and I never expected to have done all the things I have done. I am a Pittsburgh girl and I love it here. “ waiting room and Rachel Bilson was sitting next to me. She was real cute. She just bought a new hat and asked me if I liked her hat. Steven Spielberg walked in with his hands in his pockets and wished us luck.”

While testing the twinkling lights of stardom she grew up faster than most teenagers.

“It is easy to get sucked into a different direction.

There is so much crap out there, like stuff for my age at that time. Doing scenes where you are hooked on heroin, or lesbian scenes. It was a whole new thing for me I had to decide whether to go to those auditions. I even got parts I had to turn down because I didn’t want to go topless, or I didn’t want to have a sex scene with an older man. I didn’t want to be raped on the kitchen table. I didn’t want to do that stuff. Even my manager got it and knew where I came from. It was like, do you want to be an actress or not. It was just something that I was turned off by and I didn’t have to do that to get a paycheck or to get accolades. It just didn’t sit well with me. I could never picture my dad watching something like that.

He would support me, but it wouldn’t feel right to me.

I always think about who would see this.”

This connection with pleasing people is evident in her work. She easily impresses a genuine soul and associates with people instantly. It was this talent that lead to her pursuit of a broadcast journalism career. You might also say she possesses an ardent love of her hometown. While out in LA she admits she wasn’t fulfilled. “I felt that there was more in me that I wanted to do. I wanted to know everything; how you work behind the camera; I got into advertising. I did a ton of commercial work. I would go out three or four times a week. I started thinking that I want to go to school. I wanted to put my hands on everything. I didn’t have tunnel vision.”

Her studies led her to three internships for KDKA where she says she helped everybody. She had a vision for the CW encapsulating its identity as a young station. She impressed her bosses so well 14

If you ask her about the famous people she has worked with she is still star-struck with the people who are associated with her hometown. “I did a Gatorade 2 commercial and I got to meet Sidney Crosby, which was awesome because he is like a god. I am really into the whole sports thing. I just think that Pittsburgh is awesome. The people are really cool. They talk to you and they want to help you out. In LA no one will even look at you. You can’t ask for directions. A lot of people are fake; everyone here is down-to-earth, good people.”

Her life could take her to so many places, but she is finding that sometimes Hollywood comes to Pittsburgh. She has had multiple opportunities to work in films here and recently took her CW camera to work on the set of Riddle starring Val Kilmer.

Her dedication to her hometown seems to be engrained. She has a strong devout streak that is reflected in her love life as well. Her longest relationship was eleven years, longer than a lot of marriages. She is single now and says her ideal date would depend on the guy. “You know you found the right guy when you don’t have to do anything fancy, and just order in, hang out, watch the Pens or Steelers and still have a great time just doing nothing.” When she does go out it is usually barhopping in the South Side to The Bar, Smoking Joes, or Nakama to occasionally drink a pinot grigio.

Incidentally, her favorite place to eat is also in the South Side, the Lebanese café Kassabs.

For her 21st birthday she wanted to finally visit a winery, but got whisked away to Las Vegas to Pure nightclub for a rock star vacation by her publicist. What a pity.

Although she keeps the doors open in her acting career she knows where she wants to be.

“I never expected to be in LA and I never expected to have done all the things I have done. I am a Pittsburgh girl and I love it here. “ Follow her on facebook and twitter: Pittsburgh CW Brandi 15

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Alice + Olivia, Black Dress with Bow $297, E.B. Pepper Adolfo, Suit Jacket $120, Designer Days Boutique Avignon Belt $20, Designer Days Boutique

MANIAC UNDERCOVER: BRANDI ENGEL

Flavio Castellani, fushia satin dress $380, E.B. Pepper, Sete di Jaipur, Stripe Silk Scarf $204, E.B. Pepper

Same as above

Mark & James by Badgley Mischka, Purple off the shoulder dress, $298, E.B. Pepper Pink Faux Leather Bow Cuff, $5, Hip’tique

17

PROFILE

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21

PROFILE e might have played the most villainous character on screen, but in real life Mark Pellegrino is really very sweet.

Mark has performed on hit television shows such as Lost, Supernatural, Dexter, Grey’s Anatomy, Ghost Whisperer, The Mentalist, and most recently SyFy channel’s redo of the BBC show Being Human, which premiered in January. His characters have ranged from monsters, to god-like prophets, and even the devil himself.

When asked about his favorite character role he says, “I can’t say favorites I am partial to complicated and interesting characters.

gentleman character shines through when asked questions about love and women.

“Under the right circumstances I can be romantic, it depends, it’s like Michelangelo, he’s sees it in advance before he makes it. I’m not generally that way but I can be. A person can touch those chords for me.”

Pellegrino says of his mother, one of the most important women in his life. “[My mom] she’s been gone for 12 years now.

She was my one and only light in some very, very dark times growing up. A kid needs enlightened, [she] gave me love when there was little love in my life,” he breathes deeply.

“Don’t take your family for granted, don’t let

reveals that his religious beliefs sit along the lines of atheism. However, his deep insights and respect for the mysteries of the world is not atheist as much as they are respectful of the unexplained. It falls more along the lines of Objectivism, a term defined by Ayn Rand, the Russian-American novelist and philosopher, who he says taught him how to think. He says of the author, “She [taught me] about the value of art. She taught me how to look at the world like I never did before.” It is apparent that he is an actor who truly puts his mind into the characters he is playing to better understand complex struggles, and make the role come to life.

In one of his more realistic roles this

“Under the right circumstances I can be romantic, it depends, it’s like Michelangelo, he’s sees it in advance before he makes it. I’m not generally that way but I can be.

A person can touch those cords for me.”

FROM

HEAVEN

&HELL

PLAYING THE FORCES OF GOOD & EVIL MANIAC CHATS WITH ACTOR MARK PELLEGRINO

22

B Y ni co l e di c a r l o PHOTOGRAPHY BY eric williams S T YL E D B Y t a sha r e i ko br o w n

To be a god-like guy had a lot of gray area…I like challenges.” The godly character was his Lost role as Jacob, who is a native to the island in charge of its light. Jacob even came back from the dead to warn those still living that he must be replaced.

Contrasting the heavenly qualities of Jacob, Pellegrino has also effortlessly played Lucifer on the show Supernatural.

Therefore, he cannot be type casted in good or evil roles; instead he constantly challenges what his audience may expect from him. His new character is the vampire Bishop who is described as a charismatic, but menacing mentor to another vampire living with a ghost and a werewolf.

He says, “[Being human] to me is overcoming all of your flaws and issues and heroically carrying on, and to me, that’s a pre-flash of the show. The characters have to struggle constantly not only to fit in, they struggle with [having] happy lives, and that is good science fiction. It has a good human quality, all the same primal chords.” He goes on to discuss how Gothic Literature and his Roman Catholic roots have helped to shape his own understanding of a higher power. “As a kid I was always very fascinated by the idea of God and Jesus, no epiphanies or miraculous moments, more like a quiet knowing, not schizophrenic,” he jokes. “Humans are limitless.”

When asked if he ever gets lost like the characters on the popular television series he says, “I’m awful with directions. Spatially I have issues.” Spatial dyslexia he calls it. “I’ve driven everywhere and on all different sides of the road.” Unusual for a man to admit to being unable to follow directions, however, like many men his feelings of romance and love were brushed off as a lesser talent.

For this actor, his romantic side may not be apparent on screen, but his true

irritations become more than they are. All that matters is loving each other.”

His wife Tracy Aziz, who is a teacher like Mark at the acting school Playhouse West, has also been a supporter and a mentor for Pellegrino in his life, he says, “She’s taught me how to be a man. A woman brings a man into manhood in a very special way, virtues and sacrifice.” Pellegrino explains he knew he wanted to marry Tracy because he had eminent feelings on their first date, “When I went out with my wife (then friends) to a restaurant, I looked at her and thought ‘Oh no, I think I’m in love with her,’ and I knew at that moment I’m done. I told her a couple months later. Big decision going from friends to lovers, it changes everything.”

However, his love life began at a young age. When he talks about his first kiss he has so much enthusiasm it sounds as if it is coming straight out of a movie script. “Her name was Gale Riley,” he explains. “I was staying with my aunt in a mobile home park in Fresno in the summer time. I was 12 and she was almost 16, and I was in LOVE with her,” he gushes. “I was only going to stay for a week, and ended up staying the whole summer. We kissed in the pool lounge, rec room area. It was amazing. I remember the day I left…it was bittersweet. My heart was breaking. I sat in the back seat looking out of the back window, and Gale never looked back.” He sighs, “I can’t believe I remember that.”

Whether the motivation is good or evil, Pellegrino’s bizarre characters capture a unique humanity. His true character is insightful, philosophical, and extremely passionate. Short conversations that last only a short time could carry on for days, encompassing ideas of spirituality, human nature, and molding life experiences.

Raw and real, Mark Pellegrino

year he stars in the movie Joint Body about a parolee who finds kinship with a stripper (Twin Peaks star Alicia Witt) to be released sometime in 2011.

As for his Valentine’s Day plans, Pellegrino will be taking a break from working in Toronto, and will be spending the holiday with his wife in Maui where he originally proposed, a sign that his romantic side truly does exist.

23

ART

THE RELUCTANT

ART STAR

KATIE GALLAGHER A PIXIE FROM PENNSYLVANIA TURNING HER ART INTO FASHION B Y br i dge t t e cunni ngha m

24

atie Gallagher’s voice is soft as a kitten when she answers the phone. Her appearance is pixielike and ethereal with blonde-gray hair, a waif-like frame, and her eyeliner astray. Her collections are ferocious works of bondage, leather, and Lycra. She won’t reveal exactly where in Pennsylvania she came from, but that is part of her allure. She will talk about her work, but not too much about herself. She has an obsession with oversized cats, and a Russian boyfriend, but stops there with her personal taste.

She keeps you at a distance and won’t tell you exactly where she will be headed next.

Gallagher says she is from “between a farm and a forest” in rural Pennsylvania. With her unconventional beauty and the faraway fantasies depicted in her art, the only thing that seems real is the work Katie produces. Fashion insiders buzzed about Gallagher’s design skills even before graduation from RISD, but she won’t admit that she’s made it or show any signs of pride. Instead she replies, “I’m too young, very young. My only goal right now is to keep developing and keep going.”

She did stints in New York, working with both threeASFOUR and Anna Sui, while studying in Rhode Island. Katie landed in Manhattan after graduation three years ago.

When she talks about apparel design, she makes it seem as though she just fell into it. She majored in painting, and then switched upon her realization that art was “too laid-back.” Katie Gallagher, fashion designer, emerged. “I wanted

Katie Gallagher in her studio

her tough girl, art chick image. “She lives in a metropolitan area. Knowing where I come from, she couldn’t wear these clothes without being criticized. She works in a creative area where she can wear what she wants to work, and can wear it from day to night,” she says of the girls that she’s dressing.

Gallagher’s work all still starts with her art. Her website holds an archive of sketches of gray girls with hollow black eyes,

“I’m too young, very young. My only goal right now is to keep developing and keep going.” a skill. I figured I could always drop out. The most important thing to me is the pattern making and having a specific skill that I could use. It’s still the most important thing to me.”

While it seems like there was no turning back for Katie once she got the design itch, she stresses how hard she worked, the eight-hour long classes, and the secondguessing she did before she earned her place in the fashion world. Intricate pattern making awarded her significant notoriety. Her skill is unmatched. Her leggings are pieced together with spider webs of fabric art, a new breed of them coming out in every collection. Her banded jackets break the bank, available by special order for $5800. Everything is made to layer, and nothing should be worn to the office. Some of her pieces could leave a girl feeling modest at a Lady Gaga concert.

It’s not hard to pin down the girl that Gallagher is dressing. She doesn’t look to celebrities, and won’t give anyone credit for her inspiration. “I use myself for inspiration,” she says. Katie emphasizes the personality of the wearer, which happens to be a mirror of

protruding collar bones, and nest-like hair. A past collection titled “The Heart of the Woods & What I Found There” started with a drippy gray painting that she made on a trip back to Pennsylvania on a piece of wood. Though many critics call Gallagher’s designs refreshing because they aren’t commercial sellers, she doesn’t seem convinced that fashion is an art. “Everything coming out of New York is so commercial. To some people fashion is art, yes.

To some people, no. Not New York. More in Paris and Milan where there is Haute Couture.”

Gallagher can’t say where she will be in five years, and doesn’t even have her heart set on the success of her own clothing line.

Maybe it’s that she knows her giant puff sleeves and sheer leggings don’t have mass market appeal, or maybe it’s that her heart is set on going abroad. “If I’m still doing my own line, then I’ll be in New York. If I were to go work for a fashion house, then I’d leave New York to do it,” she says. This could be that she names her favorite designer as Rei Kawakubo, the head of Japanese label Comme des Garçons. Also futuristic and structure-heavy, like Gallagher’s 25

“Everything coming out of New York is so commercial. To some people fashion is art, yes. To some people, no. Not New York.

More in Paris and Milan where there is Haute Couture.”

designs, she loves the brand Balenciaga which finds its design home in France today.

For right now, it is certain that her heart is in her upcoming and much-anticipated fourth collection for Autumn/Winter 2011, which will debut at the launch of this issue. She doesn’t want to give away too much of what is in store, but her voice lights up as she spills, “This collection is inspired by Southern Voodoo. There will be fiery reds, grays, and burnt mustard.”

These are new colors for Katie, who can only be found out in black or white, but don’t expect her signature body-conscious styles to fade. She still says her favorite fabrics are leathers, silks, and 26

natural fibers. Considering her muse is her own svelte image, the looks are sure to be skintight.

With less than two months until the pieces are presented to the public, Gallagher has about half of the clothing finished. She doesn’t seem worried about time. Fashion moves fast and so does Katie. She is that cool girl whose brain is hard to pick. Just as everyone else is getting an idea of how she translates Southern Voodoo into ready-to-wear clothing, she’ll be onto the next thing. She has no motto or words of advice for the aspiring designers, saying, “I like to figure things out on my own.”

MANIAC BEAUTY

BEAUTY B Y k a t he r i ne r e e l PHOTOGRAPHY BY april hubal

THE SHY BUT FLIRTY GIRL

NARS Lipliner in Rosebud - A rosewood-hued, lovely way to define your soft lips with a long-lasting, velvety finish. Top with a clear gloss and you’re on your way to divinely demure.

NARS The Mulitiple in Orgasm - What’s better than a threeway with no strings attached? A triple-duty, universally-friendly, shimmery apricot cream makeup called Orgasm. The Multiple instantly adds a perfect pop of color to eyes, cheeks and lips. Oh snap! It’s the working woman’s best friend.

NYX Slim Lipliner Pencil in Tangerine - As effervescent as an Italian soda, this sheer, sparkly lip pencil is the perfect complement to to your subtle greige smoky eye, Armani-style.

THE MAN-EATER

Sephora Rouge in Valentine - Be prepared to turn some heads.

The highly pigmented and hydrating formula of this fierce magenta lipstick makes a statement. Apply with a sharp lip brush, and be sure to correct mistakes with a lightly-loaded concealer brush.

Cover Girl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Hot Passion - Guaranteed to stain your lips and his collar, this moisturizing, super rich, powerhungry lipstick screams, “Wasn’t me!”

MAC Lip Gelée in Dewy Jube - Pat this sheer, non-sticky, vanillascented formula onto bare lips using ring finger for that shiny and cherubic come-hither smirk; perfect for a gourmand lover.

THE REBELLIOUS WOMAN

HOT LIPS 28

Prestige Lipliner in Poppy - Are you over the reds, and feel that your lips crave a tarter shade? Fear not, my semi-sweets, Prestige Lipliner in Poppy is just what you’ve been waiting for. More of a blood orange than orange, this demi-matte liner stands alone or partners surprisingly well with creamy lipsticks and hi-shine lacquers alike.

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Brave Red - Conditioning, warm, wearable and flattering... In a chaotic world, rebel-girls need lip colors they can depend on. Relish in the plush comfort and flattering shade of Brave Red. New York Color Smooch Proof 16HR Lipstain in Forever Mine Wine - Who needs a Merlot with this innovative marker-like pen.

It delivers a lavishly rich wine stain, and is best if applied over exfoliated lips and topped with gloss promptly before happy hour.

THIS VALENTINE’S DAY, LET YOUR LIP COLOR DO THE TALKING. IN COLOR AND TEXTURE, OPTIONS ABOUND FOR EVERY PERSONALITY TO CREATE THE MOST CAPTIVATING POUT.

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CATEGORY HEADER

MANIAC

TALKS

Get Frosted!

STYLE B Y a shl e y so w i nski P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y m i che l l e r uss

ALLEN CHEN Allen Chen is the owner of Tamari, a restaurant located in Lawrenceville. Tamari , however, is more than a restaurant; it is a lounge that offers a new atmosphere to Pittsburgh. With a contemporary vibe, great sushi bar, and a cuisine that combines Latin and Asian flavors, it is easy to understand why Tamari has generated a big buzz since its opening in 2009.

Allen designed the space along with assistance from Tamari’s Executive Chef, Rodger Li, and Fukui Architects. Their goal was to create a space “to reflect the food, [be] innovative [and] contemporary, and at the same time, very approachable.” MANIAC is excited for Tamari’s second location tentatively scheduled for opening spring/ summer 2011 in Warrendale, located between Cranberry and Wexford just North of the city.

Allen Chen’s personal style is one he describes as “a mix of classic and modern,” and can be found picking up wardrobe pieces at Nordstrom’s, Saks, Banana Republic, and H&M. “I like to stick to the classics,” he says, “you’ll never catch me in anything bedazzled or a faux tattoo printed shirt.”

Good tailoring is his key to looking great, and according to Allen “is the most important element in men’s fashion.” He says, “You can never go wrong with a crisp white shirt, tailored blazer, slim jeans, and subtle touches like a pocket square, tie clip, and a nice watch to bring it all together.”

Adapting timeless style pointers from men like Frank Sinatra, J.F.K. and the cast of Mad Men, Allen Chen refines the look of menswear fashion in Pittsburgh. When he is not working you can find him traveling with his wife, Vicky, scoping out restaurants and bars in other cities.

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FASHION Red wool coat by Givenchy Red silk button up top by Roni. Gold mesh necklace by Disney Couture. Red crocodile clutch by Katiana. Gold mesh ring, stylist’s own. Gold and crystal ring (seen throughout)

by J. Landver. Red gloves

by La Crasia. Belt by Yves Saint Laurent. Black bottoms, stylist’s own. Thigh highs by Wolford. Shoes by Aldo.

scarlet THE

LET TER

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P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y a p r i l h u bal S T YL E D B Y k r i st i na c ha ne l H A I R & MA K E U P B Y st e pha n i e f l or MO D E L E D B Y e m m a m a r i e l 33

FASHION White shirt by Alexander Wang. Black skirt

by Zara. Python clutch by Lanvin.

Black cropped velvet sweater by Alexander Wang. Mesh bodysuit by American Apparel.

Gloves by La Crasia. Necklace by Mawi for Asos. Knitted shorts by Topshop.

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FASHION Red vintage coat, stylist’s own.

Earring and necklace set by Mawi for Asos. Gloves by La Crasia.

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Red vintage coat, stylist’s own.

Bra by Agent Provocateur.

Gloves by La Crasia. Leather shorts by Topshop. Tights by Wolford. Shoes by Topshop.

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FASHION Mongolian fur jacket by Topshop.

White shirt by Alexander Wang.

Black skirt by Zara.

Red wool coat by Givenchy. Gloves

by La Crasia. Tights by Topshop.

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FASHION Red blouse by Maison Martin Margiela. Red necklace by Topshop. Gloves by La Crasia.

Black bottoms, stylist’s own. Ring by J. Landver. Gold studded bangle by Mawi for Asos. Gold caged bangles by JewelMint.

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Top and skirt by Issey Miyake from Marmalade Vintage Shop in Nolita, New York. Heart bracelet by Tom Binns for Disney Couture. Fur sash, stylist’s own.

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MUSIC ayley and Taylor Hasselhoff are living, breathing, and creating the beautiful life. MANIAC recently caught up with the sisters to discuss their newest venture together, their band, Bella Vida.

Despite the initial difficulty in naming their band, Hayley, 18, and Taylor, 20 are quick to prove to anyone that no other name more accurately defines their personalities and the vision for their music careers. This became apparent in the first five seconds of our conversation.

The moment the girls picked up my call, I was met with a synchronized exuberant greeting, “Hi Jennyyyyyyy!!!” Admittedly, I was relieved and excited all at once that I had Hayley and Taylor on the line and they were as excited to speak to me as I was to them.

I prepared for the interview with a list questions covering everything from who writes their music to their most MANIAC moment. Conspicuously vague in my list of questions was much regarding their famous last name and family. Their father is David Hasselhoff of Baywatch fame and international music superstar in his own right. Mother is internationally recognized actress, Pamela Bach. They have recently been the subject of two reality shows; one based in England and the other had a brief run in the States.

During the conversation Hayley and Taylor were the facilitators of including their familial fame and I learned, as suspected, what influences and challenges the Hasselhoff name has on the girls. I also learned that beyond the name were two beautifully well-rounded, contagiously enthusiastic, and optimistic new artists.

MM: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?

THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE OF THE HASSELHOFF DOLLS

B Y j e nni f e r k m c gl i ncy P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y a da m he nde r sho t t S T YL E D B Y l e i l a ni l a c so n

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BV: Techno/House/Pop or Electro Pop. We grew up touring and travelling with our dad in Europe so we’ve been around DJ sets since we were kids. We’ve always connected with the atmosphere and the music because it was a place where people welcomed each other and all of their differences. We’ve been blessed with a beautiful life in which we’ve had these experiences, which is also the inspiration for the name of our band, Bella Vida (translation: beautiful life). Some of our biggest influences are Deadmau5, Fiesto, and Steve Aoki. We’ve dreamed of playing the same venues as our idols since we we’re small.

MM: When did you discover that you had musical talent? What inspired you to make music together?

BV: We grew up in a household where someone was always singing. Our parents are both singers so naturally they encouraged us to sing when we were young. The inspiration for our

music comes from witnessing the experiences of the fans whether it was around us at DJ sets or at one of our dad’s performances. You see how much joy and happiness an artist can bring to a fan. It’s about the connection that you share with someone else through your music. We are inspired to share our life experiences with people through our music because music is what helped us navigate some of the toughest times in our own lives.

MM: What are the pros or cons to working with your sister?

BV: The main advantage from an artist’s standpoint is that you know the other person more intimately than anyone else. When we are creating our music together, it allows us to dig deeper because we can push each other. We’ve been best friends since childhood and we know we can count on each other. We also get to share wardrobes.

MM: Could you describe the music-making process?

MM: OK, you’ve opened Pandora’s box with the mention of wardrobe, what is your signature style and what can we expect to see you wear on your upcoming tour?

BV: For the upcoming tour we are working with our stylist. We describe our personal style as a band as “edgy baby doll.” Taylor’s style is more edgy and Hayley’s style is more baby doll. For the tour you should expect something that incorporates our personal styles with some amazing black body suits and neon that goes extremely well with the ultraviolet lights on our set.

MM: What has been your biggest challenge as a band?

BV: The biggest challenge AND blessing as a band has to be our well-known family. We’ve been in the public eye since we can both remember and with that comes scrutiny. Coming out as an artist is difficult in itself but when you are trying to break in to the business and your father is so famous, there will always be people who doubt your talent and think you were handed everything on a platter. We do have to work for it. Fans of our father’s aren’t necessarily going to be fans of ours no matter how much they love him. We have two completely different styles of music. The blessing has been that our Dad’s exposure has provided us the opportunity to perform and we grew up in a family that encouraged our creativity.

BV: We always come into the studio with an idea of our own as far as what the song will sound like and what the inspiration for that song is. We have been so blessed to work with our producer who is fairly new to the business as well. We wanted someone who would grow with us as artists as opposed to someone who would come in with an idea of who we should be according to the path they’ve already cut our for themselves. MM: What has been your most MANIAC moment?

We come in with the inspiration and lyrics and our producer comes in with the beats and BV: Our most MANIAC moment was definitely arrangements. our first performance. Our dad asked us to perform in Austria. We had one rehearsal MM: Are you signed with a music label? before the show and we really thought we had everything together. We got ready for the show at BV: Not yet, but we recently signed with our our hotel and then we had to take a boat over to manager, Jeff Hadadd who is best known the venue. Once we got there we realized that we for also managing The Pussycat Dolls. We had forgotten the outfits for our show at the hotel. are so excited to have him on our team. He We were so frazzled. We had almost no time but understands our genre of music and we are sure we both jumped back on the boat and headed that he will lead us in the exciting directions and back to the hotel to pick up our outfits just in make decisions that will enable us to share our time for the show. It was insane! Luckily the music with as many people as possible. performance went well but we will never forget how crazy we felt.

MM: Where have you performed? Do you have any upcoming shows?

As my conversation with Hayley and Taylor concluded, it was so clear that these girls were BV: We performed at numerous discos but our madly in love with the journey upon which they favorite has to be Dome 55 in Germany. We had were about to embark. They possess a refreshing our fourth performance there and 20,000 people enthusiasm for their art that is untainted by surrounded us. We got to perform alongside criticism and it seems protected by sisterly some other amazing artists such as Jason love along with the support of a family who has Derulo, Taio Cruz, and Mike Posner. successfully overcome the ups and downs of show business. MANIAC loves their positive We are starting to prep our show including outlook, their catchy creative tunes, and fierce wardrobe and choreography for 20 different sense of style. We look forward to seeing what dates in Europe including Austria and Germany is next in the beautiful lives of Hayley and Taylor in February.

Hasselhoff and Bella Vida. www.myspace.com/bellavidamusic 43

JET-SET HAWAII

JET-SET

HAWAII FAR, FAR AWAY: MANIAC VENTURES WHERE THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES

BY ja re d b u n d y

THE EXCITEMENT OF ACTIVE VOLCANOES, THE CALMING NATURE OF THE OCEANS AND THE BEAUTIFUL TROPICAL CLIMATE ALL MAKE HAWAII ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR TRAVEL DESTINATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. AS YOU START RACKING UP VACATION TIME, YOU MAY BE WONDERING JUST WHAT THIS ISLAND PARADISE HAS TO OFFER A MANIAC. CHECK OUT OUR TOP RESORTS THAT ARE TOTAL MUST-STAYS, OFFERING A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR COUPLES, THOSE WANTING TO RELAX, OR ANYONE SEEKING A TRUE MANIAC EXPERIENCE. 44

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JET-SET HAWAII

Hotel Renew Honolulu

Kona Village Resort If you are looking to take a break from the MANIAC lifestyle and completely unplug and unwind from the high-stress world of fashion, look no further than the Kona Village Resort. Billed as the only all-inclusive resort on the Hawaiian isles, this is the perfect paradise for when you just need to get away from it all.

We found this resort to be just as described, summed up best as “unplugged, unpretentious and unmatched.”

With all of your meals, lodging, and activities already provided in one place, the Kona Village Resort gives you the opportunity to spend time with more meaningful exchanges.

No one has to worry about who is picking up the meal, leaving the tip, or paying for ocean activities. Instead, the focus is on connecting and reconnecting. Trade in your iPod and phone for the quiet, relaxing nature of the ocean and conversation with friends, old and new, as you enjoy this truly unique stop.

The setting has a genuinely traditional feel of Hawaii without all the distractions of everyday life and technology. Built on an old fishing village, Kona offers serenity unparalleled on other spots. Blissful, soft beaches are yours to explore barefoot all day, or simply to relax and take in the exceptional view of black lava cliffs, and other untouched beauties. The black lava, known for emitting a calming vibe throughout the resort, still has ancient writings carved into it for you to enjoy. Even the lodgings are small bungalows inspired by the Polynesian ancestry of the islands, serving as your home when you are finished exploring its over 82 acres of the beautiful Kohala Coast.

Thrill seekers, fear not, as the resort also offers more types and varieties of activities than any other resort, sure to please even the most anxious traveler. Their luau, winner of numerous awards for its culinary and entertainment value, is rooted in the Big Island’s history. Other land activities include a variety of athletic and beautification options, including yoga, spa and massage options. So grab a life coach and a masseuse as you learn ‘lomilomi,’ discovering an intimate bond with yourself.

Additionally, the ocean activities offered by Kona Village resort are unmatched in both breadth and variety. There is something for any MANIAC with their Ambassadors of the Waves program, which offers many extraordinary and exciting options. One can sneak a peek at whales, scuba dive, explore hidden treasures at various snorkeling sites, standup paddleboards, and even learn to canoe like a real Hawaiian.

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From your first steps into the chic and stylish lobby, you will see the Hotel Renew is aptly named. Forget the Tiki torches and luaus because this spot offers an elegant, modern style in this exotic locale. Often regarded as the best kept secret on the Hawaiian isles, the hotel is sure to please the most fashionconscious explorer as they discover all of Honolulu.

Renew is known for being the first designer boutique hotel. This is evident by their elegant yet relaxing rooms. The design is largely influenced by the Japanese Shoji style, with sliding screens and doors, all coming together with an elegance to create a tranquil place to rest and relax. New technology is mixed into this classical feel to give guests full internet access, air-conditioning and HDTV. When you are ready to venture from these luxurious accommodations, the famed Waikiki Beach is just a few feet away. This scenic spot offers clear and shallow water for wading or for just dipping your toes. The huge waves also make this an ideal location for surfing and long boarding.

Once you dry off, a MANIAC needs to take advantage of some of the best, most fashionable shopping experiences around. We recommend the nearby Ala Moana that features over 290 stores sure to please any fashionista. Gucci, Prada and Jimmy Choo are just some of the options available as you find the latest trends.

There are literally hundreds of options when choosing where to eat near the Hotel Renew, but one restaurant in particular that rocked our taste buds.

Morimoto Waikiki, like Renew, is an awesome fusion of traditional Japanese with contemporary American culture founded by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Get ready for a signature meal. Each course offers unique selections and helps put a modern spin on Eastern favorites. Perfect for the seafood or sushi lover, the menu also offers many great vegetarian options. Throw in the roasted pineapple for dessert and a signature cocktail for a meal to write home about.

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FUN

Fairmont Orchid The sugar-white sandy lagoon contrasts the aquamarine waters on the shore of this 32-acre luxury hotel and resort. Their exclusive Gold Lounge rooms have a team of people to help cater your experience with your needs and desires. Relaxing in the beauty of the island is at the core of this destination. “The Spa Without Walls” is set outside in huts with breathtaking views along with a waterfall massage. The relaxing experience is said to draw from the island’s healing mana, meaning power. To convene with more of the island’s natives take a careful stroll on the shoreline in the afternoon where you might meet Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles basking in the sun. Looking for even more of Hawaii’s simple pleasures then paddle an outrigger canoe, hike a petroglyph field, weave a coconut leaf basket, or take a tour with the Orchid Beachboys. This resort seems miles away from the trappings of life because it is.

And that is the best thing about Hawaii, it is far, far away from our busy MANIAC lives.

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BACK TO THE FUTURE BY s arah l ol l e y

he amusement of sqeezing into a photo booth with your friends is almost extinct with the digital age making it easier for us to create images on the fly. Instead of going quietly along with arcade games, the photo booth is enjoying a comeback thanks to Michelle Miller, manager of the Pittsburgh Photo Booth. Thanks to the Pittsburgh Photo Booth, guests at events like birthday parties, weddings, proms, fundraisers, or bar mitzvahs can enjoy the vintage past time of making successive funny faces for a photo collage.

“I think the whole experience with the photo booth is to be able to cram everyone into one frame,” says Michelle. “It is the fun of it and it’s not as static as a portrait. We have props and themes to match the event that is going on.

People let their guard down a little bit.”

When asked if people have ever let too much down Michelle laughs and says, “Definitely we have seen a little more body parts that we need to see. But for the most part there isn’t enough time for anything to happen. They have to be pretty ingenious to get something in that amount time.”

The craziest event they worked at was a Halloween themed wedding. “The groom dressed as the bride and the bride dressed up as the groom. Michael Phelps had just won Olympics so there was a gentleman walking around with his speedo and gold medals. The priest was Luigi from Mario Brothers.”

Pittsburgh Photo Booth uses vintage style booths, but has a transportation system to easily install the machine almost anywhere.

INTERVIEW WITH MICHELLE MILLER FROM PITTSBURGH PHOTO BOOTH

Since they customize the photo borders the activity is popular with corporate and charity events as well as the traditional parties. The photo booth team provides props and a scrapbook table if the host wants a place where guests can further personalize their attendance.

Event hosts also receive a record of all the photos taken on a CD, which makes creating an entire photo album easier.

“The whole experience is fun, interesting,” says Michelle. “Adults have more fun at it because it is their generation. It brings back memories when they were kids.

The photo booth was actually created in 1925 by a Russian immigrant that first introduced his invention to Times Square in New York. Back then a strip of photos cost 25 cents. The service is now free to guests during the rental period.

“If people are not engaging then we will get out and get people involved so they know it doesn’t cost anything,” she explains. “I get a lot of people who tell me that it reminds them of Kennywood.”

For prices and availabilities for your next event call 412.372.2244. For more information go to www.PittsburghPhotoBooth.com

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FEATURE

DAVIN DYNASTY AN INTERIOR SCOPE OF DESIGN

BY r e becca tudi PHO TOGRAPHY BY pari s n ic h o ls o n S TY LED BY j es s i ca ama d ban ana republ i c s hady s id e I NTERIORS BY ca thy da vin alisha humphre y & s an d e e k o c h da vin i nteri ors

*A portion of MANIAC generated sales will go to support the Max Talbot Foundation. For more information call 412.221.5770.

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MANIAC’s prep school boys were inspired by the dynasty designs of Davin Interiors, youthful sophistication with a playful streak that translates in the colors and fabrics used to create an elegant home. Through great style and design the disciplines of classic design is resurrected through creative interpretations of fashion and vibrant hues.

As a home interior specialist, Davin Interiors orchestrates a home design by balancing fashion through elements of scale, proportion, and color to achieve customized style and comfort.

The men were suited in the latest fashions from Banana Republic in Shadyside.

Jessica Amad chose skinny ties and cashmere sweaters to help translate the connection between fashion and the architecture of interiors by appealing to a classic look that has become current again.

We were invited into two lovely South Hills homes that mix traditional with the contemporary on a snowy Friday morning. At the first stop the hostess was more than inviting by immediately greeting us and offering to make coffee. It was easy to see how her home is the epitome of entertaining and family memories.

The living room was painted in green with old English country furniture. The men made themselves at home right away and gravitated

toward the chess board on a table. Then they waltzed into the adjoining room where they sipped a much needed scotch in a masculine den with leather sofa and bar.

True design is more than just colors and furnishings; it is a way of life that streams through our everyday living. Our favorite chair can have the same sentiment as our favorite sweater.

The next home had the same warmth one could expect after being treated like a family member. You can tell that Cathy Davin has wonderful working relationships and keeps things fun and professional throughout her client list. Terry again greeted us into her well lit home that was filled with plenty of color in a fresh and beautiful look. From the dining room to the family office, there was tranquility within the functional design that married the owner’s way of life.

A house becomes a home when a house reflects a person’s inner design utilizing details to create harmony and serenity. For help achieving a fashionable home that reflects your closet contact Davin Interiors to set up your consultation today.

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FEATURE

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MANIAC ROMANTIC GETAWAYS

PLACES TO CUDDLE WITH YOUR LOVER

GUIDE

FEBRUARY IS HERE, MANIACS! The cold has set in full force and we’re all going a little crazy in the gray, dismal city of Pittsburgh.

You could buy coats and gloves or crank up the heat, but the only real cure for the winter blues is grabbing your favorite guy or girl and heating up your Valentine’s Day plans in luxury and elegance. We’ve sought some of the most popular vacation spots that heat up the love fire in this cold, cold weather.

B Y j a m m i e m o unt z

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT DUNCAN HOUSE

If you are looking for something to do besides skiing and golfing at a resort, Nemacolin has what you need and more. While fully equipped with an award winning golf course, ski slopes and spa, this Laurel Highlands destination has much more for active couples who like variety. Take the ride of your life on a dog sled, slide down the snow tubes, or make reservations to visit the animals at the Wildlife Academy. Settle down to the Winter Concert Series, bringing live music to Nemacolin every Saturday evening. Not a cold weather person? Check out the Heritage Court Shoppes, located right inside the resort, offering clothes, accessories, toys, kitchenware, gift items, and much more. All of this on top of beautiful scenery, accommodations, and a local shopping area offering endless opportunities to explore with your sweetie!

Turning off your cell phone to spend time with your sweetheart and reconvene with nature can help recharge romance and relaxation. At Frank Lloyd Wright’s Duncan House at Polymath Park the houses are secluded from the world on a hundred acres of stunning woodland in Laurel Highlands. Guests enjoy being physically removed from the fast paced urban lifestyle. Relax and recuperate while your creative juices are supercharged by the amazing architecture that is flooded with natural sunlight. You can also order “Chef on Request” meals from the amazing Tree Tops Restaurant that is under the direction of award-winning Chef Mark Henry. Spend your evening at the quaint Black Diamond Pub, or enjoy the solidarity of the woods with your sweetie in front of the fireplaces in the Balter and Blum house. However, we know the idea of going without a phone gave you shivers, so if you have a meltdown the houses offer Wi-Fi, cable TV, and an iPod docking station.

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS COUPLE

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FIND MORE GETAWAYS ONLINE AT MANIACEXCHANGE.COM

FOR THE OVERWORKED COUPLE

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GUIDE

Omni Bedford Springs Resort

The Greenbrier Resort

You don’t have to travel far to visit a piece of our nation’s history and sophistication. Discover Omni Bedford Springs Resort, 200 years in the making, just 90 minutes outside of Pittsburgh.

The vacation spot has hosted a different kind of American famous; Presidents Taylor, Buchanan, Taft, Polk, Harding, and Eisenhower. Buchanan made the resort his summer White House, which was popular because of its restorative waters. Now there are even more reasons to make a trip to the resort with activities like skiing, golfing, hiking, spa pampering, and fishing available.

Looking to do Valentine’s Day in a big way? Make your sweetie president for a day with “The Sky’s The Limit Valentine’s Day Package.” The resort picks you up by helicopter and takes you to your accommodations where a personal butler and chef cater to your every need, including a six to eight course dinner. It doesn’t stop there! The package includes a carriage ride and a couple’s spa treatment in the room. We suggest the “Bedford Cure” spa treatment, which uses herbs and local spring waters rich with sulphur and minerals to top off the luxurious experience.

You don’t have to go very far to feel the warmth and comfort of the South. The Greenbrier Casino Club is described as “Monte Carlo meets Gone With The Wind.” Closed to only guests of the resort, the over 100,000 square foot gaming venue has live entertainment, shopping boutiques, and international cuisine. Isn’t this somewhere you and your lucky lover deserve to be? Check into the Valentine’s Day Weekend Romance Package, complete with accommodations, a breakfast buffet, a five course dinner, a sleigh ride, plus a wine tasting and chocolate pairing session. Romance aside, the one thing you don’t want to gamble with is your health. The Greenbrier Clinic takes wellness a step further with physicians that specialize in diagnostic and preventative medicine for your individual needs or problems.

If you want something more relaxing, The Greenbrier Spa specializes in restorative bath treatments in native sulphur waters. With so many ways to enjoy and relax it is clear this resort takes health and happiness serious so you can have peace of mind and body.

FOR THE HISTORICAL COUPLE

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FOR THE GAMBLING COUPLE

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FEATURE

Dana Bannon (Left) with Rachel Vallozzi

UPCYCLE PAGEBOY BOUTIQUE REDOING LOCAL VINTAGE

B Y be t hi e g i r m a i P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y he c t o r co r a nt e

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with Buttercup Blues and I knew that was going to be the new collection but it took me a while to bring it to fruition.”

Vallozzi craves the element of nostalgia present in most articles of vintage clothing. “There’s definitely a spirit in things [because] somebody has worn this and loved it or had a memory in it. I like that history and that energy that comes along with buying something that had a home before.”

Additionally, the clothing line Iron ocal designers and boutique owners City Upcyclery, also available at Pageboy, is the are literally redefining what it means brainchild of up and coming designer Jackie to buy vintage. ‘Upcycling’ is the McDowell. The young designer is drawn to new term used to describe the vintage fabrics and clothing for its resilience and transformation of vintage garments into wearable quality. “The run of the mill, mass produced fashion pieces. fabrics available now are not as well made,” she Pittsburgh’s very own Rachel Vallozzi says. is introducing a fresh style to the city with this McDowell also believes the journey new take on the classic vintage clothing initiative. to find a certain piece, is an art form in and of This innovative trend fashions practical and its self. “Not only does the piece have a story, modern pieces out of recycled vintage goods. [but] you have a story of how you found it, how “It’s taking something that I think would probably it came to you,” she says. “It’s like they found it or should probably end up in a landfill and and it means something to them, more so than saving it [so] it can be worn again,” she explains. just picking it off a rack where there are 25 of Vallozzi and business partner Dana the same thing at a chain store.”

Bannon own the joint venture Pageboy Salon This Illinois transplant believes and Boutique. Bannon runs the hair salon, environmental responsibility is a great benefit of while Vallozzi runs the boutique. Although vintage clothing and upcycling. “I consider [the the boutique marks the first time Vallozzi has line] sustainable and the reason why I call it that ever collaborated on a business venture of this is because I really go to great lengths not to use nature, her interest in vintage clothing precede brand new materials,” she says.

Pageboy.

Since upcycling was created in the “It was just frustrating when I would spirit of the DYI (do-it-yourself) trend, it has be shopping because there were all these pieces also become a popular way to endorse the that were [surprising] but I couldn’t buy them ‘green’ initiative. “It’s something to be proud because they were ugly,” she says. “The fabric of, that you’re doing something good for the would be great or there would be promising environment and I think it’s becoming more of things about it, but nobody should wear them.” a selling point. I think people are looking for it,” The boutique carries several vendors she says. that specialize in upcycling, including Buttercup McDowell believes the culture in Blues, a brand Vallozzi helps design. “I started Pittsburgh thrives on creativity and she often an upcycled collection with two of my friends turns to the city for inspiration. She says, called Daisy Mae and then that over time “Pittsburgh is really open to new art and music dissolved,” she says. and I think it wants fresh energy.”

After Daisy Mae dissolved Vallozzi Furthermore, the designer credits sought inspiration from art form of another the strong sense of community in Pittsburgh for variety. “I was listening to Nina Simone one her success. “People just started introducing wintery, dark, evening and [decided] the blues me to everybody who was even the slightest bit can also be happy,” she says. “Then I came up creative and that is really unique because I think

Jackie McDowell

with a lot of the bigger cities like Portland or New York or L.A. you really have to fight to get any recognition.”

In the end, McDowell believes vintage clothing is timeless and will continue to transcend trends and seasons for years to come.

“It’s not the cutting edge fashion you see on the runways, but you can kind of wear a vintage piece any year, any season [because] it’s just so universal,” she said. “It just doesn’t go out of style, it just keeps coming around.”

Pageboy Salon and Boutique is located on 3613 Butler St. Pittsburgh, PA, 15201.

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HUSBAND UPGRADE

HUSBAND UPGRADE PART 1 WITH SUSIE MEISTER 60

was not the marrying kind. I was the girl who flirted blatantly, but charmingly with everyone, but had no intention of being that girl who married young and followed the ordinary path to nowhere, or what I perceived as nowhere. I wanted to be someone.

In my quest for stardom I ended up traveling the world on one of the ubiquitous MTV reality shows. While it wasn’t the big time, I was at least leaving the zip code and saw it as the start of even bigger and better things. I began my college career and for a few years, I felt like I was beating the odds of my blue-collar background quite nicely.

But then I met him. The moment I laid eyes on him, I became literally and metaphorically afflicted with tunnel vision. He was The One. He was everything I wanted to be, and he was my professor. I had seen enough Saved By the Bell: The College Years and Indiana Jones to know that the professor was at least supposed to be older, wiser, and certainly not like the frat boys drinking cheap beer out of a hat fashioned with straws.

This wasn’t an “I’ll-do-anything-foran-A” situation. We started dating, fell in love, and at twenty-two I was walking down the aisle to a divorced man ten years my senior, and the father of an eight-year-old. Life as I knew it was over, but I was over the moon. I embraced my role as the devoted wife and stepmom in our suburban life. Even though I hadn’t expected to marry so young, or at all really, I was swept up in love and it was good, really good - until it wasn’t anymore.

Even under the best circumstances being a member of a broken family is a challenge. Although I’m not a parent myself, from what I hear about those people is that they really love their kids. This is evident by the numerous status updates about potty training or their kid’s strep throat. I get it, but I don’t get it. And my ex-husband is a great dad, but I was not really cut out for that line of work. My idea of being maternal was begrudgingly going to see the latest Pixar installment. Things weren’t pretty when immature step-mommy and child were competing for daddy’s attention. And let’s just say adolescence doesn’t do any favors for familial bonding. Cue my resentment.

I always question the judgment of people who think having kids is going to cure their marital woes. That might be the most backwards logic I’ve ever heard. What parenting did in my marriage, and I think for many people, was place a magnifying glass over our problems. While I understand that age isn’t that important, my husband and I were at two totally different stations in life. I was still an undergrad serving beers at the local watering hole to earn cash, and he was a published author and successful professor. And I was sassy in my youth. My family used to call me The Bulldozer. Perhaps you’ve seen some of the work of my persona on MTV—whatever it takes to win a couple of bucks!

After seven years of marriage, we broke up. As anyone who has been through a divorce knows, the “whys” really don’t matter as much as the reality that what was supposed to be forever isn’t going to be anymore. My divorce, as personal as it is to me, really represents what happens to so many people entering their thirties. I felt like I was living someone else’s life.

From the time little girls are old enough to walk we are showered with tiaras, princess dresses, Easy Bake Ovens, and play kitchens. This isn’t just our land of makebelieve; it is our destiny. Or so we’re told.

Sure, we can go to college and have careers, but we’re not asked what we want to be when we grow up. Instead, we’re asked if we have a boyfriend or a prom date. I think when I was getting married at twenty-two part of me accepted this image of what it means to have success as a woman. But what does a 22-yearold know about life?

and tell him that I loved him. He. Never. Spoke.

Finally, at the wrap party, I scampered over and said, “Are you ready for this?!” Apparently, he was.

Then it was so long to the single life for me. Don’t judge me! What was I supposed to do? Just leave love on the white sandy beaches of Phuket? Forget it, this Brit was coming to freezing cold Pittsburgh, and fast.

And I don’t know about you, but I say anyone willing to move to the other side of the planet for love must be commended. So I married him a year and a half later. This was my Husband Upgrade.

But let me be clear. We’ve all heard tales of the “Starter Wife.” She is the woman who is canned for no good reason after being an accessory to her husband’s success for years.

Once he hits the big time he leaves his loving, but aging wife in the dust and trades her in for a new model. So when I use the phrase Husband Upgrade I am not implying some sort of female

“The Upgrade is the one who is a participant in the life that you’re meant to live and who will grow with you along the journey that is yet to come.”

Supposedly, the human brain isn’t fully formed until we are 25-years-old, and from what I see in our Facebook pictures, I think it is evident in our behavior. You might love those stripper heels, but once your brain finishes its lengthy gestation period, you often realize that the life, or shoes, in which you find yourself in do not always match who you are anymore.

After a month of weeping, watching “Rock of Love” marathons, and eating bag after bag of Tostitos “hint of jalapeño” chips (Seriously, what the heck is in those things they are ah-may-zing), I took off my mom jeans and dove head first into the life that I was really meant to have. I often perform stand-up comedy, and one day I realized that the despair was going to ruin me if I didn’t choose laughter.

I didn’t go out searching for a replacement husband. Even though I was teetering on the brink of my thirties and single, I wasn’t going to send in my application to be on “The Bachelor” just yet. I was getting my doctorate, still worked in television, and wanted to giggle, frolic and travel for a minute.

Enter Prince Charming. I travelled around the world to Thailand to compete in another “Real World Road Rules Challenge” (I know this is cheesy programming, but it pays the bills!) and stumbled upon Great Britain’s most eligible bachelor. Holy Moses, this guy was a dreamboat. The only obstacle was that he was on the production crew, who are forbidden to even speak to the cast. Now this became my “challenge” within the Challenge! For six weeks I asked him where we would go on our first day

vengeance where we dump our loyal, loving husbands for some fly-by-night-Stella-got-hergroove-back adventure. That’s just tacky.

There was nothing wrong with my ex.

He’s wonderful in many ways and I wish him all the happiness life has to offer. The Upgrade comes in finding the person who is truly meant for you. Not the one who is the logical choice, the one who has the most money, or the one you just happen to be with. The Upgrade is the one who is a participant in the life that you’re meant to live and who will grow with you along the journey that is yet to come.

Suburbia, white picket fences, and stay-at-home mommyhood are perfect for some people, but they aren’t meant for me. I want a life that is outside of that traditional range where on Monday I might be buried in books working on my dissertation, and by Friday I might be in Italy sipping vino for a weekend getaway. That’s living and that’s the life my Husband Upgrade facilitates. He makes me an even better version of myself and I hope I do the same for him.

I always thought the actresses who swore up and down that life in their thirties was so much better were just trying to convince themselves not to jump off a bridge because they got crow’s feet. It turns out our thirties can be a reward for surviving the ridiculousness that is our twenties. And my reward is a 6’2” Englishman who makes me tea and toast every morning and frolics with me all over the world.

Upgrade.

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FROM ARM CANDY TO SHOE CANDY REBECCA MINKOFF TELLS US ABOUT HER INSPIRATIONS AND NEW FOOTWEAR LINE BY zara husaini

e’ve all seen Rebecca Minkoff’s bags slung effortlessly over the shoulders of Hollywood’s most stylish. Pop colors, detailing, and unconventional shapes characterize Rebecca’s collections. Most known for her trendy yet timeless designs, this year marks the designer’s crossover into footwear.

Rebecca was catapulted into handbag heaven after creating the Morning After Bag in 2005 for her friend Jenna Elfman. The bag became as famous as the stars that had to have it; a short list includes Lauren Conrad, Keira Knightley, Ashley Greene, and Reese Witherspoon. This marked the second time that her design skills would set off frenzy. Her “I love New York” tee shirt was an instant success in 2001 when she launched a five-piece collection of clothing.

However, Rebecca says she has a hard time choosing one particular area of design to call her favorite. Much like her distinctive bag line, Rebecca will stamp her trademark use of quirk, glamour, and brightness across a variety of shapes and styles. The shoe collection promises to have the same universal appeal as her handbag collections.

Everyone from the young rocker girl who dreams in every possible color to sophisticated femme fatale can find something that speaks to her own personal sense of style. Between stilettos, booties, pumps and flats, the line combines the freshness that Rebecca is known for with the grit and soul that are embodied by the collection’s two muses: Bianca Jagger and Janis Joplin.

Rebecca tells MANIAC when she started sewing and also shares a little bit about her life as a well-rounded designer who tackles all areas of the business.

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PROFILE MM: You started designing at a really young age.

Did you always know this was the right career for you?

Rebecca: I started sewing at eight years old and was immediately hooked. I’ve been designing ever since, to me, it’s more of a passion than a career.

MM: You are well known for your amazing handbags. Is this the area of design that most appeals to you?

Rebecca: It’s interesting how trends change over the years for every collection. What’s crazy is how intense the desire is for handbags – everybody seems to want that bag that doesn’t scream trendy, but is more about style and quality. I enjoy creating that feeling by designing handbags, shoes and clothing... So hard to pick only one!

MM: Where do you find your inspiration?

Rebecca: Most of my inspiration comes from traveling. I’m constantly taking pictures and exploring new places. Being amongst different cultures, I think is pretty inspiring.

customer should feel chic and at ease at all times, in our clothes, handbags and now shoes.

MM: Success follows your great designs like the “I Love New York” tee and the Morning After Bag. How do you handle the pressure to followup your hit “albums” with another star-studded hit?

Rebecca: I wouldn’t say there’s pressure, the “I Love New York” tee started my career and the Morning After Bag is still one of our constant best sellers season after season. It is important however, to keep our customer excited for all the new collections and products that are set to debut.

MM: What I love about your handbag collections are the romantic quality and ideals behind the designs. Are there recent /vintage movies or stories that inspire you?

Rebecca: My favorite old movies -in no particular order- are Manhattan, JD Salinger’s Franny and Zoey and Taxi. It’s a broad mix of favorites but there are so many elements that channel your inner creativity.

MM: You mention working in a costume theater department in a previous interview how did this influence you?

Rebecca: I was a dancer throughout high school but my dance teachers told me that I was too tall, too long, and I threw off the symmetry.

I couldn’t perform in any shows because of my height and my long arms, so they put me in the costume department. Because it was a performing arts high school, it was a very competitive department and I started learning in depth how to make patterns, construct garments, and drape garments, persistence was key.

MM: With everything you’ve accomplished in 2010, what is your New Year’s resolution for 2011?

Rebecca: My New Year’s resolution is to get muscles!!! 2010 was a great year for us and there’s only more to come…

MM: You use a lot of color in your bags. Is this reflective of your personal style?

Rebecca: I always like to have at least one piece of my wardrobe to stand out amongst the rest, whether it be a metallic bag or a hot pink blazer.

MM: Which other designers do you most admire?

Rebecca: I’m a true fan of Isabele Marant- I find her talent to be extremely admirable and I enjoy wearing them as well!

MM: A handbag is such an important part of a woman’s wardrobe because it marries fashion with function. What style statement does your favorite handbag make? What items do you always have in your handbag?

Rebecca: The handbag that I choose to carry has to be functional and mine! The bag I use always has to be able to transition from day to night and carry my everyday essentials: sunglasses, camera - that gets a lot of use- keys, mirror, my Blackberry to answer emails, cell phone, three lip glosses, and some gum!

MM: I had the pleasure of visiting your hometown of San Diego recently. You infuse a little sunshine in your collections. How much of the laidback Southern California culture inspires your line?

Rebecca: I’m pretty laid back, so it’s important for all of my collections to feel effortless. Our 63

MANIAC PARTY

EVENT

THE ENTERTAINMENT ISSUE LAUNCH BY d omi ni c j ani das PHO TOGRAP HY BY bill s c h m i t t and cas e y montev erde

Though it may have been approximately ten degrees outside, our beautiful, little MANIACs set The Wine Loft in the South Side Works on fire for the launch of our Entertainment Issue.

Hot off the press, the issue itself pulled some very amazing international attention from the nationally broadcasted E! News! The entertainment program giant ran two huge features on our coverage of Hollywood’s “Bad Ass Good Girl,” AnnaLynne McCord. We are so blessed that you all came out to help us celebrate!

The evening’s patrons could barely move in The Wine Loft, as 250 plus MANIACs packed the place for amazing wine specials, good times, and great friends.

Local A-list revelers came out to party with us, including actors, models, screenwriters, producers and musicians along with our past music features These Lions and Ronda Zegarelli along with this month’s undercover Brandi Engel. It was a truly beautiful night with beautiful people…and that’s not the red wine talking!

One of our guilty pleasures of the evening was a fun photo booth where we could all get ready for our close up. To sum up the evening, take a glass of cabernet, add a free photo booth, multiply it by ridiculously fantastic props, and divide it by more cabernet equals an extraordinary great time sharing our wild side.

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1.

FASHION

3.

2.

MANIAC

SHOPS GE T THE LOOK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY a pri l huba l STY LED BY bri dgette cun n in g h a m HAI R & MAK EUP BY s teph a n ie g a r d n e r d est efi no s ouths i de M ODELED BY dani ka ada m s , d o c h e r t y m o d e ls

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SPRING IS IN SIGHT, BUT THE SNOW IS STILL FALLING. We want to wear the spring pieces right this second, and fortunately there is a solution. For the February/March issue of MANIAC Shops we mixed the soft spring pieces we are eyeing with heavier knits and tougher accessories to carry you through the next few months. Add soft-colored sweater tights under silk dresses or tulle skirts. Belt heavy knits to tailor your look or throw on a cropped fur to play with proportion.

Pastels are pretty and wearable year-round and white might very well be the new black. To avoid looking like you have been taking style tips from ten-year-olds in this season’s tutus and ruffles, mix textures and metals to add a grown-up touch.

EB Pepper helped us hit the laid-back, soft looks with silk dresses from Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen’s bohoperfect line, Elizabeth and James. A dazzling dotted tunic and ruched mesh dress kept things current with the always on trend and young celebrity favorite label, Alice+Olivia. Planet Pulse is the perfect stop to keep the looks urban chic and casual with gray denim, easy skirts, tank tops, and effortless throw-on favorites from Free People. Keeping the look uncomplicated and breezy, Stephanie from deStefino Salon created loose, wavy hair and added drama with a side-part. She used softer eye makeup to keep our model unfussy, but punched it up with a brighter pink pout.

1. Alice+Olivia green strapless dress from E.B Pepper $440, Dolce Cabo sweater vest from E.B Pepper’s $69, Alternative Apparel blue wrap from Planet Pulse $24, multi-strand silver and white chunky necklace from deStefino Southside $68, rabbit fur and pearl double stranded necklace from deStefino Southside $34 gold chain-link cuff bracelet from deStefino Southside $28, Purse by Rebecca Minkoff 2. Elizabeth and James floral dress with pink leather belt from E.B Pepper $394, Casmari almond sweater from E.B Pepper $488, copper circle and feather earrings from deStefino Southside $12, Purse by Rebecca Minkoff 3. Elizabeth and James grey and blue dress from E.B Pepper $370, Three Dot white button down shirt from E.B Pepper $69, feather and jewel necklace from deStefino Southside $26, gold bangle bracelets from deStefino Southside $18 OPPOSITE PAGE: Bailey 44 lace layered tank from E.B Pepper $119, Free People ivory mesh skirt from Planet Pulse $98, Free People white Almost Famous jacket from Planet Pulse $244, gold bangle bracelets from deStefino Salon Southside $18, gold 3-strand chain necklace from deStefino Southside $26

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GUIDE BY chelsea l d anley

MANIAC GUIDE

WHERE TO GO IN THE BURGH FOR THAT PERFECT DATE

Valentine’s Day has left MANIAC hungry for more than loving. So we sought out some of Pittsburgh’s most romantic restaurants, whether for a blossoming relationship on first date or a special night out for a well-seasoned couple. These locally owned establishments all have a unique vibe but compare in excellent cuisine, MANIAC style, and lots of vino! So grab your significant other and check out some of these restaurants to get the sparks flying. And hey, even if you’re flying solo, do it in style with a fancy night out on the town with some of your friends.

Bottom line, these six restaurants from all over Pittsburgh are perfect for a night out with anyone special.

Braddock’s

Girasole

Wild Rosemary

The Naked Grape

Located within the elegant and architecturally stunning Renaissance Hotel there is a hidden treasure, Braddock’s American Brasserie. Restaurant manager, Eric Brown, says that the restaurant’s menu pays homage to Pittsburgh’s culture and history, offering a melting pot of cuisine. Chef Brian turns a traditional dish like perogies and kielbasa into modern cuisine using local ingredients, like his “Grilled Strip District Kielbasa.” Braddock’s offers a choice of two distinct dining areas which bookend the elegant lobby. For the casual night out, the French-style setting of the Street Side Bar offers small plates such as frites with roasted garlic aioli or seared scallops. For fine dining try the lobster cassoulet or the filet mignon with béarnaise at the American Brasserie. Both restaurants pay tribute to the Whiskey Rebellion serving over 40 bourbons and 20 malt liquors. Chef Brian incorporates bourbon into many of their dishes, including the onion soup, pulled pork, and bourbon wing recipes. Their Bourbon Dinners are becoming popular with “local-istas” and visitors. Its location in the cultural district, across from the stadiums is perfect for satiating appetites before and after sports or entertainment events.

However, don’t wait for an event, enjoy themed happy hours like Tuesday Wine Tasting with Grape Nuts, and Whiskey Wednesday featuring Jim Beam cocktails. Braddock’s is fast becoming the downtown place with Pittsburgh neighborhood charm.

Girasole is owned by five family members who bring each of their separate talents together to run this Shadyside gem. Patty Girasole says that “the essence of Girasole is delicious comfort food in a cozy and friendly atmosphere.” They treat their customers as if they are inviting them into their home because it practically is their home for this family! While providing a comfy setting, Girasole brings in a hip NYC style with a splash of Italy along with a carefully chosen all-Italian wine list. In addition to the happening scene, the excellent food is what keeps people coming back for more. The restaurant has a seasonal menu keeping things fresh and delectable. Every man knows the way to a woman’s heart is chocolate. They took the aphrodisiac a step further and mixed it with fettuccini as one of their specialties. While Girasole is not your quiet romantic spot, it provides an energy that has been the scene of many engagements, making it perfect for a date night. The next time you’re shopping on Walnut Street with some friends or your better half, take a side step to enjoy a night at Girasole.

For a quaint evening with exquisite food, visit The Wild Rosemary in Upper St. Clair. Borrowing its inspiration from the owners’ favorite garnish, The Wild Rosemary is an Italian style bistro full of Mediterranean flavors. The menu offers tantalizing entrees, like their popular scallops, and every meal includes a complimentary starter, side and salad prepared by Chef Gloria. Save room for homemade dessert by the resident baker, Lynne.

The restaurant opened almost three years ago turning a dream into reality for three friends. Manager Kathleen Enders explains that their talents work well to complement each other, and they truly enjoy making the customers happy. The small yet eloquent size of the restaurant and menu provides a more concise restaurant allowing the owners to serve fresh made-to-order meals every night. The dining area is lively enough for a good time, yet private and intimate enough for a couple to enjoy a romantic conversation over a delicious meal and BYOB drinks. Make reservations now for your night at The Wild Rosemary where as their motto says “good things will come to you.”

Take your significant other on a trip to Italy or to Sewickley to “Escape to the Grape.” Husband and wife, David and Ryta, opened The Naked Grape just two years ago, but they have quickly received recognition for their true wine bistro.

Ryta Mirisciotti, who worked in the wine industry for years, takes an outside the box approach to the restaurant business with The Naked Grape, making it more of a unique experience. The relaxed atmosphere allows each guest to experience the magic of wine at their tasting counter while experimenting with authentic Italian cuisine and wine pairings. Whether you’re more of a chardonnay or cabernet kind of connoisseur, The Naked Grape allows for you to explore your options and taste buds. Wednesday Flight Nights and wine tasting classes are offered as well. This Tuscan style restaurant, complete with grape vines and garden fountains, makes you feel like you are in a cozy vineyard, oceans away. Since, as Ryta says, Italy is for lovers, what better place for a date? And for those of us that are less committal, The Naked Grape offers wine flights to seek out your favorite nectar. Here, you won’t feel rushed; it’s an intimate and unique experience for everyone. At The Naked Grape, they offer wine without the snobbery and truly encourage fun with food and wine.

107 6th St l Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.992.2005 l www.braddocksrestaurant.com

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ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS

733 Copeland St l Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412.682.2130 l www.733copeland.com

1469 Bower Hill Rd l Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 412.221.1232 l www.wildrosemary.com

515 Broad St l Sewickley, PA 15143 412.741.6420 l www.nakedgrape.net

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HEALTH

MANIAC GUIDE

WHERE TO GO IN THE BURGH FOR THAT PERFECT DATE

The Sonoma Grille

Eleven

Celebrating food and wine is what The Sonoma Grille is all about. Owner and Executive Chef, Yves Carreau, was born in France where he studied the culinary arts and then later lived in Los Angeles. Upon moving to Pittsburgh, he brought the taste of the Sonoma Valley with him and turned it into his very own California bistro. He offers a delectable taste and authentic atmosphere filled with casual warmth of color and sophistication. General Manager John Ajay stresses the pure earth-to-plate concept of their local food. This west coast kitchen also offers an inviting wine bar with over 100 domestic wines by the glass to compliment the savory meals. Whether on a first date or together for 40 years, the wine experience provides an interactive and sharing atmosphere that can kindle a romance and excite the senses. Check out The Sonoma Grille’s happy hour, wine series cocktail party, and wine dinners. Carreau says, “These are exciting times for Pittsburgh and especially Downtown. We are glad to be part of the renewal and feel inspired by how savvy today’s young professionals are about food and drinks.” Carreau also owns the Nuevo Latino restaurant Seviche and plans to open Nola in Market Square this March.

General Manager Chris Thinnes argues that Eleven is one of Pittsburgh’s prettiest and most contemporary restaurants. This chic establishment is home to some of the most impressive styles and dishes where there is something for everyone. As a part of the Big Burrito Restaurant Group, Eleven holds high standards for their cuisine and service. While serving American food with a flare, the restaurant stays true to its Pittsburgh roots even offering perogies with their juicy New York Strip steak. Whether a refreshing take on a corporate conference, a special event in the private dining area, hanging out with a group of friends in the comfy lounge, or a night of romance, this destination has an accommodation for any occasion.

Eleven never feels rushed or busy, especially in their intimate booths or the special chef’s table. Visit the tavern for happy hour and Penguins games specials with a fresh take on bar food. Executive Chef Derek Stevens says that he and the Eleven team never stop examining the restaurant’s complete experience and take pride in making improvements to the whole package.

Eleven is the perfect urban getaway to share a meal and night with someone special in the Strip District.

947 Penn Ave l Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.697.1336 l www.thesonomagrille.com

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ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS

1150 Smallman St l Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.201.5656 l www.bigburrito.com/eleven

THE SCIENCE BEHIND

STEM CELL FACIALS ould stem cell science really be the holy grail of skincare? It just might be according to New York-based beauty engineer and stem cell researcher Mary Schook. The skincare product Beaucell is leading the way toward a new and different philosophy of skincare by turning back the clock on aging, or resetting the clock so to speak.

What makes Beaucell unique in today’s rapidly growing and competitive skin care market is its biotechnology, the use of stem cell media to nourish aging skin back to life by helping the body repair itself and regenerate healthy, rejuvenated skin on its own.

“No other product is performing like this,” said Schook. After one month of use, it is “going to change the structure of the skin,” she said, “it’s going to change.”

Her test subject experienced a 20% increase in collagen after four weeks of daily use, according to Schook. A postchemotherapy patient with troubled, sunken skin experienced a collagen increase from 54% to 78% after four weeks of continued use. Users of the product may expect better or less results with daily use. “It’s genius,” said Schook, “it brings skin back to life.”

Contrary to what some believe, stem cell media are usually not from embryonic stem cells, but from plants or adult stem cells.

Beaucell uses stem cell media from Adipose cells (human fat cells). Stem cell research in skincare is not new, according to Schook; in fact, stem cell research has been around for decades, and in other countries like Korea where Beaucell is made, their skincare formulations are at least twelve years ahead of us, and that makes a difference.

This cream uses stem cell media in combination with liposomes as a delivery system, each contained within a different

BY s h arm ai n e b ro w n e

chamber in the jar, and which converge only when pumped through by the user. The serum is then introduced via electricity, an ionizer that helps increase the product’s absorption into the skin.

The materials and the delivery system play a role in helping to “reverse aging,” said Schook. The serum stimulates “fibrobroblasts” and helps encourage the “way a cell turns on a specific axis,” by “increasing the electrical responses in the cell” and “reteaching this communication to other cells,” she said. In other words, it may help jolt a cell’s memory of how it performed when it was young. “Everything in aging has something to do with electricity,” she said.

Collagen, a key structural component to healthy, young-looking skin, begins breaking down most often during our thirties, and this is what leads to the fine lines and wrinkles we see as we get older. Sun damage, smoking, consuming sugar, and exposure to free-radicals accelerates the aging process, but it is the body’s ability to repair and heal itself that plays an essential role in how rapidly or slowly we age.

There are a number of collagen creams on the market. However, “our cells become hardened as we get older,” said Schook, so the “collagen molecules [in these creams] simply flood the surface of the skin and don’t penetrate it.” Other products, like Retinol A, “bring toxic amounts of vitamin A to the skin to irritate the cells to increase cellular turnover and stimulate collagen production.

The problem is our cells are only programmed to reproduce so many times,” she said.

Beaucell achieves greater and faster results in collagen stimulation by nourishing the skin, and “not [by] creating damage to get a result,” said Schook. It is a “best-case scenario of anti-

aging and skincare itself,” she said, “without the risk and without the damage.”

Moreover, the type of collagen produced by other products is Type I Collagen (scar tissue), which according to Schook, is more similar to muscle tissue which might produce beautiful results that make us feel as though we have “never looked this good,” but which are temporary and do not stop or decelerate the aging process. In the long run, said Schook, the beneficial results from products that create damage or inflammation to produce these short-term results damage the skin in the process by decreasing elasticity which can never be regained.

The use of stem cell media in skincare appears to be a more holistic and nourishing approach by “nursing” or “feeding” the skin back to health, said Schook. Stem cells are a key component in the body’s ability to heal. As we age, the body releases fewer stem cells from the bone marrow that would otherwise help repair the damage to all of our organs, including aging skin. Introducing stem cell media into the skin might very well be a new inside-out approach to an overall anti-aging philosophy.

What does something like this cost?

As of now, it costs approximately $2000 per month for a two month kit that includes the vials with electricity, the moisturizer, mask, toner, and eye kit. The cost could go up as it was originally priced for a period of one to two months, but in trials the product lasts longer and goes farther than expected.

Like healthcare, “skincare is common sense,” said Schook, “if you eat a Cheeto, you’re going to look like a Cheeto.”

However this might be one more step toward bridging the gap between medical innovations and skincare.

71

FITNESS

Tons of controversy, women’s groups, religious groups and individuals, in fact, the billboard got spray painted twice. You know what they say, bad PR is better than no PR at all. In fact X got on the news and talk shows. We actually thought it was great and we ended up getting a lot of free press from the original campaigns. This is why we continue to create advertising that is out of the box and really different from the everyday stuff you see.

Shadyside has been tantalizing audiences with their provocative billboards and ad campaigns since 2000. MANIAC talks with the owner John Byrnes about the inspiration behind using sex appeal to inspire people to tone their bods.

MM: As the mastermind behind the bold, strapping, almost nude theme featured in the gym’s campaign ads, can you tell me about the first inspirations from your collaboration with the advertising agency Idea Mill?

POWER FITNESS

PROVOCATEUR X SHADYSIDE REFLECTS ON THEIR SEXY AD CAMPAIGNS B Y s a r a h lo l l e y

JB: We had the opportunity to do something really cool with the advertising campaign and started a brand that people would recognize and say, wow! We’re a health club not a bank or car dealership so the options were much broader when it came to creative advertising and marketing ideas and really thinking outside of the box. We thought why do you come to a gym? It’s the main reason to feel and look good that’s obvious. But another reason that most people don’t think about is the whole social aspect and our demo is just as concerned about that, so we thought the marketing should be fun, and make people say to themselves, ‘X is cool and a great place to work out and socialize at the same time.’ We decided to work a little backwards from the traditional creative process.

So we had Duane Rieder, one of the city’s best photographers shoot the image, layout the board and put the tag line on and we were off and running! We figured a health club builds ones image so why not base the campaign on solid and striking images.

JB: Now that we have created such a strong brand, we look to create campaigns that immediately remind people that this is a campaign for X Shadyside. I always tell the story of when I met a guy in the middle of woods in the middle of the state. We started talking and he asked me what I did and I said I was in the health club business in Pittsburgh. He replied, ‘I was in the big city once and I remember driving down the freeway and I saw this beautiful girl laying there and it was for a gym.’ I just kind of snickered.

MM: What do you think the campaigns say about the gym?

JB: We’re not a cookie cutter gym. We have a real personality and X would be a real cool place to be associated with. We always strive to be the best and focus on the community while creating an advertising campaign. We also want the members and anybody to see not only our outdoor, but all of our marketing from TV to social media and say, ‘Wow that’s a great campaign. What an interesting image, that’s awesome. I have to check X out and see what is going on there.’

MM: There was some major controversy behind the first campaign called “You Could Stop Traffic Too” that featured a glowing image of a naked woman, tell us about what happened?

X SHADYSIDE 5608 Walnut St l Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412.363.9999 l xshadyside.com 72

JB: Tons of controversy, women’s groups, religious groups and individuals, in fact, the billboard got spray painted twice. You know what they say, bad PR is better than no PR at all. In fact X got on the news and talk shows.

We actually thought it was great and we ended up getting a lot of free press from the original campaigns. This is why we continue to create advertising that is out of the box and really different from the everyday stuff you see.

MM: Are the sexy, hot, fit images meant to inspire, insight, or astonish?

73

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