Fashion is synonymous with art, and even more so in the pop culture world that Andy Warhol inhabited. This Friday, the seventh annual Pittsburgh Fashion Story runway show and benefit will showcase collections from local retailers along with a dress from The Andy Warhol Museum's archival collection.

Museum director Tom Sokolowski is the honorary chair for the event, which will include an auction of works by local artists to benefit Partners for Quality and the Allegheny Children's Initiative. This is the first year that Mr. Sokolowski is working with event coordinators to give the fundraiser some visibility.

"Andy Warhol had the perfect nexus of art and fashion. He always could predict what the next look would be. A lot of people are saying that pop art is infecting some fashion, and getting involved could be a fun thing," he said.

The show will feature a dress inspired by Warhol's Campbell's soup paintings. Although not designed by him, it's something that Twiggy might have worn during that influential era.

Other stores lending looks for the fall season are Charles Spiegel for Men, Maxalto, Jupe Boutique and Ambiance Boutique. Tori Mistick is co-ordinating the show, with Paul Steigerwald as emcee.

The Warhol Museum is also providing film footage for television monitors that will be interspersed throughout the venue. They will be showing Warhol's 1960s "Screen Tests" along with his MTV show "Fifteen Minutes," which aired in the 1980s.

"Andy Warhol's fashions ran on MTV, so we will have those going on throughout the evening to give it a little special jolt," says Mr. Sokolowski. The videos highlight an early collaboration between artists and fashion, he adds.

The benefit is the brainchild of co-chair John Lamberson and Douglas Tjelmeland, who wanted to create an event that was the essence of international runway shows and chose Partners for Quality as the beneficiary. The proceeds have helped the organization to set up its first emergency fund program for families in a crisis situation.

"Over the years the event has netted more than $150,000 for the children who receive services through Allegheny Children's Initiative," says Mary Mitchell, the organization's director.

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