27th annual Pizzazz shopping event in Fox Chapel raises money for Garden Club of Allegheny County projects
Chris Canning lives 25 miles from New York City and often travels to the city to shop.
But not for herself.
She’s in search of items for others.
Canning, of Westchester County, N.Y., owns Burkewood Road, a home goods and lifestyle brand featuring home decor, serving pieces, table top linens, baby gifts, jewelry, select apparel and more. The collection is sold online and at traveling trunk and other shows.
She will be bringing some of those items to Fox Chapel for the 27th annual Pizzazz Oct. 18-20 at the Fox Chapel Golf Club.
The event is hosted by the Garden Club of Allegheny County. It creates a shopping experience to raise money for environmental and conservation projects of which the garden club has funded more than $2 million. Some items to be sold include home goods, clothing and accessories, handbags and jewelry.
“Pizzazz offers a unique collection of boutiques from across the country and allows the Garden Club of Allegheny County to raise funds to support horticulture, conservation, historic preservation, community and environmental education, and civic planning and planting programs throughout the Pittsburgh region,” said Joanna Flanagan, of Fox Chapel who is co-chairing the event with Mary Krauland, of Kittanning. “We are proud that the event has enabled us to award more than $2 million in grants supporting the Garden Club of Allegheny County’s mission. “
This will be the first time as vendor for Canning, who started her company after a career as a nurse and after raising her two daughters.
“I try to curate the items with care and want to showcase crisp, classic design with an updated, modern sensibility,” she said.
Another first time vendor is BURU—the name means breast feeding in Mandarin. Founder Morgan Hutchinson created the brand as a first-time mom. She curated the brand first and now designs the pieces.
BURU Vice President of sales Susannah Mathews said she heard about Pizzazz from another vendor, Mignonne Gavigan, a jewelry brand based in New York.
This is the 10th anniversary for BURU, based in Los Angeles, Calif. It is a fashionable line of clothing that is comfortable and washable, for the woman who is balancing a lot of things in her life, Mathews said. The apparel is sold via stylists and mobile pop-up shops and at an atelier.
“We’ve heard it’s one of the best markets, so we are excited to try it,’ Mathews said.
Canning, who grew in Cambria County, said that when she found out about Pizzazz through a networking circle of people who do these shows, she definitely wanted to participate. Pizzazz being held in a golf club makes it the perfect fit for her placemats, linen décor and other wares.
She will be bringing some holiday items, such a tea towels and ornaments.
“I am looking forward to coming to the area and to Pizzazz,” Canning said. “Western Pennsylvania is near and dear to my heart.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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