“I've seen mad rushes to the door, I've seen people run through the aisles, I've seen mannequins stripped bare,” said Henry Krakovsky as the floodgates to the Designer Days shopping extravaganza officially opened Nov. 5. “But I've never seen an actual fight break out over anything. I have seen some words exchanged, though.”

The National Council of Jewish Women's annual spree has been creating buzz since its inception 44 years ago. Tucked within the aisles of the organization's designer annex at its home-consignment store in Swissvale, treasures from the likes of Burberry, Max Mara, Thierry Mugler, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and St. John were waiting to be discovered by a crowd expected to peak at around 2,000 over the course of four days.

“Who doesn't need a little Yves Saint Laurent?” reckoned John Gurman as he showed off his finds.

During the patron party, VIPs exchanged war stories and enjoyed first dibs on a vast array of new closet companions that were to blame for a multitude of adrenaline rushes. It was money well-spent; each purchase will continue supporting the council's network of women, children and families as they strive for independence.

“I think it's the thrill of the find,” said executive director Andrea Glickman. “And, shopping for a cause always gets people excited.”

Spied were event chairwoman Carolyn Jensen, Bear Brandegee, Teddi Horvitz, Samantha Dye, Sheila Solomon, Gerri Weiss, Anne Stone, Jenny Jones, Joe King, Lisa Silberman, Barb Siegel, Lynn Siegel, Laurie Gottlieb, Tere Gilligan, Casey Devine, Mary Jo Miller, Claire Notkin, Rachel Colker, Terri Ford, Merrily Ford and Melanie Querry.

Kate Benz is the social columnist for Trib Total Media and can be reached at kbenz@tribweb.com, 412-380-8515 or via Twitter @KateBenzTRIB.

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