Billy Porter teams with Phipps Conservatory for summer flower fashion show
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Actor and groundbreaking fashionista Billy Porter is teaming up with Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for a new show that will feature elaborate costumes inspired by Porter’s iconic looks and roles, along with his hometown of Pittsburgh.
“Billy Porter Presents: A Summer Flower Fashion Show” will run run May 6 to Sept. 24 at the historic glass house in Oakland.
“The idea evolved when Billy was shooting (the 2022 Amazon film) ‘Anything’s Possible’ at the Conservatory last summer,” said Joe Reed, Phipps director of marketing and communications. “His energy, vibrance and compassion really inspired us, and we engaged him about taking that inspiration to the next level.”
Since wearing a black velvet tuxedo gown by Christian Siriano at the 2019 Academy Awards, Porter has become known for wearing innovative, gender-neutral designs.
Porter is working with the Phipps horticulture and facilities team, who will be designing and fabricating four costumes — three made of dried plant materials and one that will be a working aquaponics system. Aquaponics combines aquaculture, the growing of fish and other aquatic animals, with hydroponics, the growing of plants without soil, in a single recirculating environment.
The show will feature design contributions from students at Carnegie Mellon University and Pittsburgh CAPA High School, Porter’s local alma maters.
Phipps also is working with five professional fashion designers and costumers who will each add a signature flair to the displays. The designers were chosen from a request for proposals that went out early this year.
“We’re excited to showcase a diverse array of talented designers alongside the work of our horticulture and facilities teams, and it was important to us that students from Billy’s alma maters could play a role as well,” Reed said.
“Billy is incredibly generous with his time and very much in demand, but he and his team are giving input on the direction of the show as it comes together,” he added. “We want to put on a fabulous show, and we know that Billy will expect nothing less”
Professional designers contributing to the show include:
• Madison Michalko — An Oklahoma State University theater arts graduate who is costume shop manager and wardrobe supervisor at Pittsburgh’s City Theatre Company. She also is project specialist for Workhorse Collaborative and floral assistant for BLOOMS Pgh. Michalko said she will design a gown “in honor of the courage, strength and unapologetic authenticity that is Billy Porter.”
• Thee Suburbia — A New York City-based stage and screen drag performer, who also writes poetry and is a licensed cosmetologist.
• Cathy Olivar — A Pittsburgh-based independent fashion designer and sustainability advocate whose Cathy Olivar Brand offers sustainable, ethical and accessible alternatives to fast fashion. She had two pieces in the recent “How You Wear It” exhibit at Pittsburgh Children’s Museum and MuseumLab.
• Daniele Mathews — A New York City-based costumer designer and drag artist who also writes poetry and performs solo plays about gender, identity and authenticity. Mathews holds a master of fine arts degree in costume design from Carnegie Mellon.
• Damian Dominguez — A Pittsburgh-based costume designer with a master of fine arts degree in costume design from Carnegie Mellon. His recent design credits include productions for Quantum Theatre, New Hazlett Theatre and Carnegie Mellon. He is currently a costumer and stitcher on the upcoming Netflix film, “The Deliverance.”