Threads of Destiny: Studio Booth Styles the Pittsburgh Opera Fashion Show

Every spring, Pittsburgh's fashion and opera worlds share one runway. The Pittsburgh Opera Fashion Show at the Bitz Opera Factory in the Strip District pairs couture with live operatic performance — and every year, the hair and makeup on that runway comes from our chairs.

This is more than a booking for us. The very first show, in 2017, was created by Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn together with our founder, stylist Ron Booth — the namesake of Studio Booth. What began as one evening bridging two art forms has become one of Pittsburgh's signature cultural fundraisers, with a new designer or curator taking the reins each season. Studio Booth partnered on 2022's vintage retrospective Diva Dreams and Fashion Queens with Eons Fashion Antique, styled 2023's Laced/Unlaced, and returned in 2026 for It's About Time, curator Richard Parsakian's celebrated farewell show.

Threads of Destiny

The images below are from Threads of Destiny, the 2025 edition — a visual narrative honoring operatic masterpieces like Madama Butterfly while pushing into modern couture. Runway styling is a different discipline from the chair: looks have to read from the back row, survive quick changes, hold under stage light, and still frame the face up close. Our team builds each look to move with the garment and the music.

Runway styling, in your chair

The same editorial eye our team brings to the Opera runway shows up in everyday appointments at our Bakery Square studio — from bridal and event styling to precision cuts and color. Browse more of what we do in Our Work, or meet the stylists behind these looks.

Learn more about the event itself at Pittsburgh Opera — and if you'd like runway-level styling for your own occasion, we're at 6343 Penn Ave in Bakery Square, (412) 362-6684.

Keep reading: the story continues backstage at It's About Time — Richard Parsakian's farewell show, with professional photography from the 2026 runway.