Women Who Rock celebrates Taylor Swift's birthday with Swiftmas pop-up shop

Walking into the Swiftmas pop-up shop, guests were greeted by a pink Christmas tree, sweatshirts that read “1989” and bedazzled lightning bolt earrings. A pink neon sign read, “Babe you look so cool.”

It was held at the SouthSide Works by Women Who Rock in honor of the pop star’s 34th birthday on Wednesday. The organization champions women in music and women’s health.

“I hope people feel inspired and they walk away with a smile and make new friends — that women are here encouraging and supporting other women,” said Melinda Colaizzi, founder and CEO of Women Who Rock. “We wanted to do an end-of-the-year event based on female empowerment and have a really fun event.”

With Wednesday being Taylor Swift’s birthday, Colaizzi thought it was the perfect time. The pop-up shop sold out, drawing more than 100 people. Not surprising from the city that renamed itself “Swift-burgh” when the Eras Tour came to town.

About five women-owned businesses participated in the pop-up shop event, some that directly partner with Women Who Rock.

The Haute Wick Social, a health-conscious candle company, uses soy wax and phthalate-free scents. Owner Ashley Casto provided six signature scents for the event. Swift inspires Casto as an entrepreneur, “to go for it and be true to myself,” she said.

Sing Sing Sing, a music school and party venue based in the North Hills, was on hand with karaoke.

“Our mission is to spread joy and empowerment through music because everyone deserves to feel like a star. Taylor Swift is the embodiment of female empowerment and being a role model,” owner Jackie Smathers said.

Clicks-burg Retro Rentals provided the Eras Tour box, and Sprinkled Custom Cookies provided Taylor Swift cookies, iced with Swift’s face on the top for the event.

Fanny Flores, a resident of the South Side, considers herself a huge Swiftie.

“We all came as a group and we are all Swifties — we often have Taylor Swift karaoke-themed parties,” she said.

“Mirrorball” is a song that resonates with Flores the most, but, like many of Swift’s fans, her favorite song depends on her mood or what she is feeling in a specific moment.

South Side resident Justin Chassan became a Swiftie after watching “Taylor Swift’s Reputation Stadium Tour” on YouTube. “It was so good,” he said.

He was excited about checking out the merchandise and the festive cookies.

Jennifer Kilgore, a North Side resident, came with her 10-year-old daughter, Greta. They made a candle with Haute Wick Social.

“We knew it was Taylor’s birthday and so we were looking for a way to celebrate. You know Swifties, they love to get together and celebrate,” Kilgore said.

Swift has come a long way since those early songs, now having 10 released studio albums and recently being named Time’s Person of the Year. On Wednesday, state lawmakers passed a resolution declaring 2023 as the “Taylor Swift Era” in Pennsylvania.

“We tried to make it as Taylor Swift-esque as possible, we have a friendship bracelet station because that’s something that Taylor is really about,” said Bailee Gazdag, partner activation and pop-up events manager at Women Who Rock.

Gazdag had a hand in picking out some of the recipes for mocktails named after a few of Swift’s songs: “Lavender Haze” and “Anti-Hero.”

Alyssa Trunzo Hutchinson and her husband, Zak Hutchinson, were enjoying the mocktails. She has been a fan since the album “Fearless.” Her college roommate got her into Swift, and they attended many concerts together. She said her roommate is still her best friend today.

“Swift is so inspirational, and just to have that sentimental connection is special,” Trunzo Hutchinson said.

Swift’s positivity and her empowerment of women also resonate with fan Capri Scarcelli.

“I loved watching her journey over the years as an artist and as a person,” she said.