NICK BRACCO, FOUNDER PHOTOGRAPHER (1965-2011):

Nick left his blue collar roots in Munhall for the glamorous world of Los Angeles back in the 1980's after graduating from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. While in LA, he had the opportunity to work for and with some of the biggest names in photography including Herb Ritz, Firooz Zahedi, Aaron Rappaport and Diego Uchitel to name just a few. He made a name for himself in celebrity photography and shot some well-known album covers and movie posters with stars ranging from Madonna to Arnold Schwarzennager to U2. His true love was fashion photography though so he eventually moved to New York City to focus on the world of fashion. His photos were widely published in Vogue, Vanity Fair & Rolling Stone. Family obligations brought him back to his hometown of Pittsburgh where he spent some time in his second career as a banker, but photography was always his passion. After finding a willing partner in crime, he and Robyn developed the idea for Pittsburgh Fashion Magazine. The ultimate family man, Nick loved his wife Robyn, 5 children, and their overweight but lovable dog Brooklyn very much. Tragically and unexpected Nick passed away on July 2, 2011. He leaves behind him a legacy of love and devotion to his family, his staff, and to spreading the message that "your all beautiful, every single one of you!" The PFM staff is now dedicated to carrying on Nick's vision by continuing to spread the message that fashion is for everyone!

ROBYN GREENLEE BRACCO, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

Although she now serves as the driving force behind PFM, Robyn's career path had nothing to do with fashion before she and Nick developed the magazine. She received her Bachelor's degree in English and Education from Emory University in Atlanta, GA and her Master's degree in English Education from Columbia University in New York City. She taught in New York City Public Schools as well as both public and private schools in the Pittsburgh area upon her return. She says teaching is her first love and is certain she will return to it in some capacity in the future. Ever the student, she returned to the University of Pittsburgh where she is currently completing her PhD in Social and Comparative Analysis of Education, with a focus on International & Development Education. Her dissertation research is in rural Kenya, where she spends as much time as possible. In addition to her research and magazine work, Robyn enjoys hanging with her kids, reading, cooking, and camping in places that have no cell phone reception or WiFi availability.

ASHLEIGH KUHN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

Ashleigh was born and raised in Penn Hills, an eastern suburb of Pittsburgh. She is a 2008 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Business Administration & Marketing and a BA in Economics and Political Science. She has always had a passion for arts, fashion and creativity! After graduation she took a position in the beauty industry working as a Salon & Spa Director and a Marketing & Events Coordinator.

She began her work with Pittsburgh Fashion Magazine in March 2010 as our Production Manager and quickly developed a passion for PFM taking on projects from event planning, to photo shoot hair and makeup, and editorial styling! She truly loves all things fashion and Pittsburgh related! She now resides in Oakmont, PA with her boyfriend, Mark Jacobs (a funny coincidence, we know) and her standard poodles, Roxie & Vinnie. Outside of work, Ashleigh loves Steelers Football and Pitt Basketball. She likes playing intramural sports and working with animals and more than anything she absolutely loves to dance!

COLLEEN SCHREIBER, PRODUCTION ASSISTANT:

Colleen is part of the University of Pittsburgh graduating class of 2012 and she bleeds black and gold. Colleen began working for PFM in the summer of 2011 as an Intern and quickly rose to fill the Production Assistant position.  At the age of fourteen she picked up her first fashion magazine and hasn’t put them down since! She now follows way too many fashion news sites, industry blogs, personal style blogs, international fashion editorials, and is always in the know. Colleen loves working with the PFM crew to develop unique, exciting, and creative content for our readers! Colleen’s undying love for fashion is closely followed by her passion for traveling the world and her never-ending search for the best soy latte.

JOHN COLOMBO, LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER/STAFF WRITER:

John Colombo is a bon vivant and hot on the heels of the Pittsburgh social scene, attending many parties and events.  John loves keeping up with fashion and fashion trends, and his favorite articles of clothing are jackets and shoes. Born and schooled in West Virginia, he has called the East End home for 25 years.  He has worked for almost every publication in Pittsburgh as a freelancer and even shot for the LA Times. In his spare time, he enjoys working out, quality time with friends, and his other passion, interior design.  John is also a wedding, event and portrait photographer. He loves working for Pittsburgh Fashion Magazine and can't believe something so enjoyable is called work. John is a staff photographer and writer for Pittsburgh's OUT, and a freelance photographer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Seen Column.  John has taught photography in an after school program at Sacred Heart in Shadyside, and more recently was hired for an after school program at Winchester Thurston teaching at both the Shadyside and North Hills campus.

KEITH BLOOM, STAFF WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER:

Fresh, innovative and distinctive are just a few words to describe this Artist of Fashion… Unless you want to include handsome, friendly, and did we mention extremely handsome?!? There is not too much this man can’t do! Whether he is photographing models or illustrating new fashions, Keith does it with finesse. He has a natural talent for photography; but it is his training in fashion design, modeling, and art that sets him apart from the rest.  Onset he brings an understanding of styling and composition to his photo shoots, yet from a designer’s perspective. Armed with dashingly good looks and killer style, along with the combination of his innate and learnt skills, Keith Bloom II is a force to be reckoned with. Those qualities and his positive attitude are what make him an excellent addition to the PFM family.

MICHELE TALARICO, STAFF WRITER:

Michele is a 53 year old mother of two children and "Glam-mother" of one. She graduated in 1993 with a High Honors Associates Degree in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.  She  owns and operates her own Interior Design business in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. She is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers.  Michele has taught numerous classes in interior design and decorating, has been a guest speaker for various community and charitable organizations and now writes for Pittsburgh Fashion Magazine as our Over 50's Fashionista. Her Interior Design experience and training have helped her express her personal style through fashion.  Mixing textures, colors and accessories (she especially loves shoes, the finishing touch to any outfit) creates her flair for style.  Her aim will be to help you keep up with the current trends but tweaking it here and there to remain age appropriate with a goal of showcasing YOUR sense of style - no matter your age or body type.

CASSANDRA FALKENSTEIN, SALES REPRESENTATIVE:

Cassandra's is another convert to the world of fashion. For her first career, she attended The Washington Hospital School of Radiography and has been working as a Radiology Technologist ever since performing mammograghy and CT scans. Her favorite time in the field was when she did pediatric CT scans in Florida .  While she's always been a fan of fashion, wearing scrubs everyday was no way to show it!  She came to us as one of our Mom Models in the May 2010 issue of PFM and is now very happy to be working with us. She says she loves meeting so many new people while making sales  calls (not to mention she gets to wear something other than scrubs and Dansko clogs!) Cassandra serves on the USC Jaycees and other committees and has been a member of a local book club for many years. She enjoys cooking, hiking and reading, and one of her favorite things are road trips with husband Chris and their 3 children. She is originally from the South Hills area and currently resides in Upper Saint Clair.