About The Owners

michele-martaAnd so it began…in the late 70‘s, a serendipitous series of events led to a pivotal fashion show in New York City. It was the Disco-Era, and Marta, while working in fashion display at Pittsburgh’s Gimbels Department store, was adorning herself in her own designs-Space fashion-think “Ziggy Stardust.” A friend from New York, came back home to join the Gimbel’s force and became a momentary catalyst. Boredom soon sent him back to New York City, where he was able to book a fashion show for Marta to showcase her designs along side Patricia Field (of Sex and the City fame.) As a last minute entry, she ended up as the finale, and was mentioned in Women’s Wear Daily the following week. Soon after, at the Boutique show in New York, Marta received orders from Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Fiorucci and Fred Segal to sell her collection in their stores. The rest is History.

Her sister, Michele was living in New York at the time, studying Dance, and the two would find themselves collaborating on another fashion event to be held at New York’s infamous MUDD CLUB. Cindi Lauper was assigned to be their model, along with “Rockin’ A” from the downtown art scene, at the time, was also among the celebrity models that evening. It was an exciting time.

That show led Michele to move back to Pittsburgh in 1981 to join Marta in designing and manufacturing their own clothing line “Zivio.” A few years later, Marta and Michele Minic opened the doors to MAXALTO, their Walnut Street Store in Shadyside, Pittsburgh, which at the time was meant to sell only their own collections.

As the years passed, the sisters would seek out other innovative designers in the market, keeping their philosophy of creative, well constructed clothing. Several major lines from Europe, such as Marithe and Francois Girbaud, Sarah Sturgeon, G Gigli, Rundholz, and Lilith began to define who they were. Now approaching 30 years in the business, with an eye for fashion and a zest for sharing their appreciation of beauty, detail and quality, they strive to create a one-of-a-kind encounter. Always looking for the next most interesting line to bring to their many loyal customers, they provide a fun and fashionable atmosphere bent on discovery.