Stylebook: Pittsburgh Fashion Week's future focused on opportunities for ...

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After five years of bringing a week filled with fashion to the city, Pittsburgh Fashion Week feels like it's found its groove.

'Consistency works and subtle changes make a difference in easing people into the change,' says founder and executive director Miyoshi Anderson.

This formula of tried-and-true meets fresh ideas was featured during the fifth annual Fashion Week, which wrapped a week ago. A record number of designers (25-plus) and models (about 340) participated. Plus it was the first year the majority of events were held at a single venue, Highmark Stadium near Station Square, which Ms. Anderson found to be 'beneficial, easy and less hectic.' She'd like to consider having one venue serve as home base for the week again next year.

A casting director for the upcoming film 'The Last Witch Hunter' also attended several events, scouting models for the movie. Buyers from local retailers also were invited, but it's unknown at this time how many attended and if any designers benefited.

Pittsburgh Fashion Week surpassed past attendance numbers with more than 1,000 people passing through events during the week. Previous years tended to hover in the 800-900 range.

Looking ahead, Pittsburgh Fashion Week likely will hold its sixth annual event at about the same time at the end of September 2015 and plans to continue to find ways to foster the talents of Pittsburgh's designers.

'We want to encourage [designers] into their own storefronts and their own websites,' Ms. Anderson says. 'We want to be able to get [their designs] off the runway and into the closets of those who are seeing them on the runway.'

More from the Pittsburgh fashion and beauty front ...

Cops in Couture runway show benefit: The second annual fashion event to support the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial of Allegheny County and the Police Support Team will be 7 p.m. Wednesday (doors open at 6 p.m.) at The Mall at Robinson. Police and K9 officers from more than 80 departments across the region have volunteered to serve as this year's models. Clairton Officer James Kuzak Jr., who was critically injured on the job in 2011, also will join the models. Tickets: $35 in advance at copsincouture.com.

Jeans, Jewels and Jam for Cancer Caring Center: Slip into your favorite denim, bling them up with your favorite baubles and mix and mingle on the rooftop deck overlooking PNC Park's left field entrance. Guests also will have the chance to win customized jewelry by Brian Smith valued at $1,000. It's Friday, with a VIP reception 6-7 p.m. and the main party 7-10 p.m. Tickets: $75 in advance at http://ift.tt/1tqRS78, or $85 at the door. VIP tickets are $100.

Natalie Deayala trunk show at Bella Bridesmaids: The shop at 1752 N. Highland Road, Bethel Park, welcomes one of its new designers for a trunk show 10 a.m.-5 p.m. by appointment Friday and Saturday. The brand's philosophy is 'friends don't make friends wear ugly dresses' and is known for its cool and stylish looks. Natalie Deayala orders placed during the trunk show will be 10 percent off. Information: bellabridesmaids.com or 412-854-4422.

Rena Lange resort/spring trunk show at Larrimor's: Shop ready-to-wear women's clothes known for their luxurious look, quality and design consistency 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday at One PNC Plaza, Downtown. Information: larrimors.com or 412-471-5727.

Vintage Valet fashion truck celebrates Pinktober: In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Pittsburgh-based mobile boutique by Marissa Zimmerman will donate a portion of the proceeds from truck sales and the truck's new online store, at shop.thevintagevalet.com, to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Also, shoppers who make a purchase this month and 'like' Vintage Valet on Facebook while at one of the truck's events will receive a free breast cancer awareness scarf while supplies last. Information: thevintagevalet.com.

Pittsburgh part of Flannel City Face-Off: When it comes to flannel, what city wears it best? Duluth Trading Co. is holding its inaugural contest to answer this question. Pittsburgh is one of 16 cities vying for the title. The public can participate by casting a vote for the Steel City at http://ift.tt/1yGBRlZ.

Sharspburg-based Simple Sugars update: Lani Lazzari, who founded the all-natural skincare line Simple Sugars at age 11, is up to $3 million in sales since the brand was featured on the ABC TV show 'Shark Tank' more than a year ago. She expects the company to do an additional $4 million in sales in the next 12 months, an update segment revealed on the two-hour 'Shark Tank' season premiere. Simple Sugars also recently struck a deal with Destination Maternity, which now carries its sugar scrubs in all 575 of the retailer's locations across the country. In season four of 'Shark Tank,' Ms. Lazzari of Fox Chapel made a deal with fellow Pittsburgh native Mark Cuban, who invested $100,000 for a 33 percent stake in Simple Sugars.

For more from PG style editor Sara Bauknecht, check out the fashion blog Stylebook at http://ift.tt/1blBsVB. To have a fashion or style event considered for Stylebook, email sbauknecht@post-gazette.com.