Photos: Phashion Phest 2012
Last night, people piled into the The Shops at Liberty Place for the 19th Annual Phashion Phest.
As always, the even featured cocktails, food, local vendors, giveaways, a showcase of student designer fashions and finally, a ready-to-wear runway show. There were also plenty of scantily clad burlesque ladies as this years theme was “Fashion Follies.”
I’d say the event was great, but that’s largely because I didn’t actually pay to get in. Had I been one of the suckers to shell out the $60 admission, I don’t think I’d be too pleased (in what world is a limited selection of sample-size Skinny Girl cocktails “lavish?”).
There was absolutely no reason to charge that much, especially since people who were hanging around Liberty Place prior to the event could have easily stuck around and enjoyed the same entertainment and amenities.
This is one of my main beefs with the local fashion community. Why throw these fancy fashion events and say they’re “open to the public,” when really you’re only targeting members of the press and Philly elite? There’s a reason I don’t promote any non-charitable style events charging more than $20.
Anyway, moving on, the fashion show was okay. Not great, but okay. I was surprised how few garments really wowed me. If I had to choose my favorite, I’d say that US*U.S featured designers (Mariel Rojo, Secret Bohemia, Lobo Mau and Lele) were by far the most innovative. As for Zinman’s collection of furs, well, that wowed me in a whole different kind of way.
I think the most memorable fashions were actually those of the student designers namely, Moore College alum, Marah Carpenter. Her hand-painted, nude-portrait dresses certainly grabbed your attention (see right). Not sure I’d ever have the guts to wear one of her designs, but I definitely appreciate the fact that they’re legitimate works of art.
Here’s some shots from the evening for your perusal…
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