Fox Chapel sisters win trip to cover Fashion Week
There will be double the coverage from New York Fashion Week.
Fox Chapel identical twins Kaitlyn and Arianna Costanzo are headed to the Big Apple as the official Polyvore community correspondents. Polyvore is a shopping site and app on which people give and receive style advice.
The pair will be taking over the company’s Snapchat and Instagram accounts on Feb. 13 to share a behind-the-scenes look at designer Rebecca Minkoff’s show. They will attend a Diesel store opening and launch party in addition to soaking up Fashion Week activity on this all-expense paid trip.
The 21-year-old juniors at Point Park University were chosen from thousands of entrants to cover the catwalks, independent designers, new trends and the hottest up-and-coming labels.
“I’ve always loved fashion,” says Kaitlyn, whose blog is The Layered Lineup. “But it wasn’t until 2013 that I took my passion to the next level. I created my blog to express myself through fashion. I also use my blog to share my inspiration and connect with others in the community.”
She plans to showcase the street styles she sees, as well as highlight trends, while searching for celebrities.
“I would ‘fangirl’ the most if I saw (model) Bella Hadid,” Kaitlyn says. “She’s my biggest fashion inspiration at the moment.”
Arianna, whose blog is called Flawed Paradise, says she hopes to have a career in the fashion industry. Like her sister, she will be looking out for celebrities such as Sonya Esman, the blogger behind Class is Internal, and the Hadid sisters, Bella and fellow model Gigi.
“Ever since I was a little girl, I was always in touch with my creativity,” Arianna says. “I would constantly draw outfits and designs. Thanks to Polyvore, I can now share my style creativity in a different way.”
Kaitlyn says she started her blog as a way to connect with the fashion community.
Because not everyone is able to attend Fashion Week, having insiders on social media brings the event to the world, says Ellen Cohn, a member of the Polyvore team.
“They can share cool trends they see and people can see their posts and feel like they are there with Arianna and Kaitlyn,” Cohen says. “We are so excited to have them. They empower others to feel good about their styles, and they will be giving others access to Fashion Week. To see fashion through the lens of your peers is inspiring.”
Both women, who share clothing, say they have an edgy fashion style. Arianna is inspired by Alexander McQueen, who blended masculine and feminine to perfection. She expresses that look by wearing a floral dress under a leather jacket.
Kaitlyn draws inspiration from her surroundings, from the West Coast styles she sees in Los Angeles, to the range of outfits people wear in New York City.
“New York is a great city for shopping,” she says. “And being able to be there for New York Fashion Week is a dream come true. It’s a chance to do something we love, and if you do something you love, then it’s really not work.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 412-320-7889 or jharrop@tribweb.com.