Art Institute Student Creates An Award-Winning Wedding Gown
The Art Institute of Philadelphia is swarming with talented young people and Adriana Maria is one of them.
Currently enrolled in the Institute’s Fashion Design Program, Adriana officially made a name for herself last month having won Philadelphia Wedding’s “Sew in Love Fashion Showcase. Philadelphia Wedding, a publication of Philadelphia Magazine, asked design students to create a one-of-a-kind wedding gown that cost under $500. The dresses, refereed by Fashion Icon Nicole Miller, Project Runway winner Jay McCarroll, Danielle from Bridals by Danielle, Pattie Lamantia from The Wedding Shop, Mary Dougherty from MKDA Agency, Danielle Hoysa from Bridal Garden and Philadelphia Wedding’s Editor-in-Chief, Carrie Danny, were judged in three categories including creativity, execution, and emotional response.
Having been deemed the best of 21 entries (all from five local design schools including, Drexel, University of Delaware, Philadelphia University, and Moore College of Design), Adriana not only will have her dress (pictured left) featured in the Fall/Winter 2013 issue of Philadelphia Wedding, but the budding new designer also won the chance to work closely with the Bridals by Danielle owner on her brand new eveningwear line.
Making the competition even more exciting, 50 percent of ticket proceeds from the April 20th reception event went to the non-profit organization, Wish Upon A Wedding, which provides wedding renewals for couples who face life-threatening illnesses.
Great job, Adriana!
~Michelle Mass
Be A Fashionable Phillies Fan
Ladies, there’s no reason for you to be representing the Phillies in frumpy, oversized men’s apparel. With the team’s female (and overall) fan-base having grown a great deal over the last three years, companies have really stepped up their selection of women’s apparel and accessories.
In fact, on the Modell’s online shop, the selection was almost 50/50. More importantly, it appears companies are starting to take female fashion sensibilities into consideration when coming up with their designs, rather than just offering fitted versions of their men’s apparel.
So you’re one of those women I see walking around Center City every game day wearing what appears to be the same generic one-size-fits-all Phils tee—which I’m guessing you probably got for free somewhere—it’s time to seek out a more stylish alternative.
Here’s just a preview of the array of cute/cool Phils gear out there…
Modell’s: Fightin Phils Tee, $34.99 / Racer Back Tank Top, $24.99 / Capri Sweat Pants, $32.99 / Hooded T-Shirt, $35.99 / Sateen Shorts, $17.99 / Moccasin Slipper, $19.99 / Crew Neck Raglan T-shirt, $26.99 / Striped V-Neck T-Shirt, $26.99 / Vintage Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt, $54.99 / Cosmetic Bag, $14.99 / Hoodie Purse, $44.99 / Feather Hair Clip, $12.99 / iPhone Case, $29.99 / Socks, $11.99
MLB.com: Ruffle Bikini, $44.99 / Victoria’s Secret PINK® V-Neck Ringer Tee, $32.50 / Flannel PJ, $32.99 / Victoria’s Secret PINK® Hoodie, $64.50 / Sequin Flip Flops, $19.99 / Victoria’s Secret PINK® V-Neck Half Sleeve Tee, $32.50
FootballFanatics.com: V-Neck Fashion Top, $31.95 / Scoop Neck French Terry Sweater, $32.95 / Fashion Replica Jersey, $64.95 / Touch by Alyssa Milano Burnout Tank, $26.95 / Ponytail Holder, $5.95 / Lace Trim Panties, $13.95 / Touch by Alyssa Milano Tank, $34.95
Sports Authority: Hooded Sweatshirt, $89.99 / Camo T-shirt, $27.99 / Personalized Replica Jersey, $79.99 / Tweed Military Cap, $24.99 / Crystal Military Cap, $22.99
Get Your Swagger On at Swag Boutique
Alright readers, here is your daily vocabulary lesson from your friends at PW Style:
Swag (n): Appearance, style, or the way he or she presents them. Oh, he’s got killa swag!
Swag Boutique, a chic store-front in one of my favorite city hot-spots, NoLibs, is dedicated to helping customers “get their swagger on.” Whether you’re shopping for art, gifts for the home, or adorable fashion must-haves from local artists, your swag will sky-rocket upon entering this boutique.
The posh shop specializes in selling pieces from local artists and crafters. Unfortunately, due to the delicate shipping requirements of the one-of-a-kind items, you can only shop for them in the store or by contacting the artist directly as opposed to online shopping. Visit the North 2nd Street location to see unique jewelry from local artists including Bernadette Sunner, Pretty Little Things, Unique Annick and more.
Have no fear online shopping addicts, you can most-certainly get your fix with the rest of Swag’s products.
Some of my favorite Swag items can be seen below!
Everything about these two outfits scream swag. The bright colors, the adorable and sexy design. I’ll take both!
I’ll take the one in coral, please.
And then there were the purses…SWAG OVERLOAD
**Photos courtesy of the SWAG’s Facebook
~Michelle C. Mass
Exhibits To Look For At The Flower Show
Tomorrow, March 5, kicks off the first day of this year’s Philadelphia International Flower Show. This year, visitors will experience the show, “Hawaii: Islands of Aloha,” in four different themed nights: LGBT Night, Wedding Wednesday, Girls Night Out, and Family Day.
Photo courtesy of Perfect Gardening Tips
With the variety of vendors and exhibits filling the Philadelphia Convention Center to the brim, it’s hard to decide which ones visit first. Besides the central feature – a showcase of over 2,000 orchids, by Waldor Orchids – here are some exhibits worth making a beeline for:
American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD)
The AIFD display, The Beautiful Dance: Song, Chant & Hula, is inspired by hula and the various topics of the Hawaiian dance. Hula is a way of telling a story through physical movement, and designers will interpret these stories through floral design. Legends of goddesses, the elements, and King Kalakaua are a few of the subjects that inspired the exhibit.
Camden Children’s Garden
A hidden spot in a city lot provides a place where a child’s imagination, sparked by nature, can be set free. This exhibit, A Child’s Tropical Adventure, echoes the aim of the exhibitor, Camden Children’s Garden, which invites families to “come out and play” by offering a variety of horticultural experiences for kids to discover and explore the natural world and their own creativity.
Celebrations Design Group
Enjoy floral compositions that showcase a creative interpretation of a fusion between iconic pop musical artists and their songs in the exhibit, Pop Petals.
Flowers by David
A dramatic water feature dominates a design inspired by the patterns of Hawaiian tribal tattoos in KāKua or, tattoo.
Irwin Landscaping
This beautiful patio is created around the remains of an old silo in Old Silo Garden. A waterfall emptying into a small pool surrounded by plants bursting into spring makes for a charming sitting area.
W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences
Today’s Hawaiian paradise began with the arrival of canoes laden with plants that were brought from Polynesian islands. These palms, hibiscus, and elephant ears, along with edible yams and sweet potatoes, quickly became part of the Hawaiian built landscape as they rooted and thrived in the island soil, lava, and stone, and are showcased in “Ka Māla”: The Canoe Garden.
For more information, visit the Philadelphia Flower Show’s website or download the Flower Show App, an all in one app which keeps you updated on everything that is happening at the show, from exhibitor information, to Marketplace shopping, and to the schedule of lectures, demonstrations and performances.
-Lauren Arute
Smelling the Roses at Fleur De Lis Boutique
My eyes were immediately drawn to the astonishing palate of colors as I entered the small yet fashionably organized boutique on the corner of 21st and Walnut. Purses, sun dresses, jeans and shoes adorned the color-coded walls from ceiling to floor. I have finally found it-fashion heaven.
Named after her favorite flower, Fleur De Lis Boutique is owned and operated by fashion leader, Kimberly Czyzyk. Opened three years ago, the Rittenhouse Square shop is not your typical Philly consignment boutique. Instead, Kimberly does all of the buying and selling on her own as opposed to setting up contracts and selling items for clients.
While buying from customers isn’t something she does all the time, she is not opposed to the idea and will never turn down a must-have item. What also makes Fleur De Lis stand out is that the chic owner doesn’t discriminate against non-high-end labels. If she spots a cute dress from H&M, it is on the rack of the boutique the next day. I fought the urge to purchase every cute spring sundress that stared me down as I sauntered through the maze of seasonally appropriate tops, skirts and fur coats. This was not an easy feat to say the least.
Separating herself from the masses even more, the clever fashionista is in the mist of setting up an Ebay store to double her presence. Once the merchandise is purchased from the online store, it is removed from the boutique and vice versa.
–Michelle Mass
Mitchell & Ness’ 17th Annual Winter Sale Begins!
With the Sixers’ and Flyers’ seasons in full gear and the Phillies’ spring training just a few months away, this is certainly an ideal time to stock up on some vintage-inspired team apparel (regardless of how likely it is their seasons will end on a bad note).
Starting today, the Philly-based sports brand is offering 50 percent off ALL their men’s and women’s apparel and headwear at their Center City flagship store (1201 Chestnut St.) We’re talking limited edition outerwear, t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, jerseys and hats now half the original price.
This incredible sale ends Saturday and the hometown gear is sure to sell out fast so you may want to consider stopping by the store on your way home from work today. As someone who owns two really awesome Mitchell & Ness shirts I can assure you this is one sale you do not want to miss.
Old City Boutiques for Unique Apparel….
Being a broke college student, there’s nothing more depressing than walking down Walnut Street near Rittenhouse Square. The only problem is there are identical stores all around the country…it’s almost impossible to find anything unique. I can understand shopping national stores if they’re your only choice, but Philadelphia has so many boutiques to explore, each one different from the next. I walked down 3rd street and visited four completely different stores in two blocks, each catering to a different sense of style.
Sugarcube is a swank boutique on 3rd and Arch streets. Their unique selection of clothing ranges from a sexy faux leather dress to sophisticated men’s cashmere cardigans with vintage and new clothing sprinkled throughout the store. Laid back owners Elisa and Edward were eager to help customers with every need without breathing down their necks, a huge plus in our book. While the prices are what one would expect of a high end boutique, the quality and selection of clothing makes it worth every penny. In addition to great quality, the store sells Williamsburg Garment Company selvedge denim, one of only a handful in the country, for significantly cheaper than any national store carrying selvedge denim. The chic atmosphere and eclectic range of clothing makes this boutique one to check out next time your wallet is burning a hole in your pocket. More »
Greek and Life Boutique’s Launch Party…
The Greek and Life Boutique Mural by Asswad Jaleel
On Saturday, the Greek and Life Boutique officially opened its doors with a launch party hosted by DJ Emez from hot 107.9 and DJ Omega.
Last week, I wrote an article announcing that the boutique was opening, but I mentioned how I wasn’t convinced there was a market for high end apparel on Temple’s campus.
After attending the launch party, I take back what I said. The cozy boutique was buzzing with shoppers perusing the apparel and accessories neatly hanging throughout the store. The store is divided in half; one part is dedicated specifically to Greek life apparel and accessories, while the other caters to the rest of us.
While I’m not a part of Temple’s Greek community, I spoke with Courtney Mick, a Psychology major at Temple University. ”The prices are really good compared to the stores I’ve been to,” Mick said. “A regular shirt would run around $40 [at another Greek store]. The shirt [from Greek and Life] was around $25. It wasn’t bad.”
The Greek attire was very popular, but many people were looking at the Life side of the store. The Greek side of the store is clearly marketed at college age, but the Life side of the store features a more mature audience. There are shirts perfect for a night out on the town, and pants suited for a fashionable day at the office.
The selection of men’s clothing is more casual than the women’s, but it’d be easy to incorporate the shaw collar Life After Denim sweaters into almost any winter outfit.
Overall, I was very impressed with the boutique, and I’m really excited for fashion-forward stores like Greek and Life to spread throughout Philly. Hopefully, Philly can develop to its own fashion scene one boutique at a time. Check out more pictures of the boutique after the jump. More »
Versace for H&M is Coming…
The H&M store on Walnut Street will be blessed by the Versace for H&M collection starting at 8AM Saturday, November 19th, 2011. Mark your calendars because this event is going to be HUGE!
According to the site, each group of 20 people in line will get a colored wristband (up to 280 people). Shoppers will be allowed a 15 minute shopping window, and the order in which people are allowed to shop goes according to the color of their wristband. Wristband holders are only allowed to shop the Versace for H&M women’s collection. Anyone else who wants to shop the Versace for H&M men’s line, Versace for H&M home collection or regular H&M apparel can do so at their leisure.
Once you’re in H&M and drooling over Donatella’s designs, don’t get ahead of yourself. Customers are allowed to purchase only two items, so plan wisely. H&M’s posted the entire selection to its website so shoppers can pick out their favorite pieces for the budget.
I can’t wait to see everyone there, and stay tuned for a detailed review of the line. Is it going to actually look like Versace, or just a cheap Chinatown knockoff?
Don’t forget:
- Doors open at 8AM.
- You’re only allowed two pieces.
- The Walnut Street H&M is the one with the gold.
- You only need a wristband if you’re shopping the women’s collection.
- PW Style will be attending and documenting the chaos that will ensue.
The Art Museum Invites You To Get Crafty
Well folks, it’s official: craft show season is upon us. Every weekend between now and Christmas you can except there to be at least one craft show going on somewhere in or around this city.
First up, the 35th Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, which kicks off this Thursday and will run through Sunday at the Convention Center. The premiere show and sale includes 195 of the finest craft artists across the U.S selected from more than 1,400 applicants. That being said, this is far fancier craft show than most. Not only do you have to pay a whopping $15 just to get it, but your chances of finding something for less than $75 are pretty slim.
Yet, if you have the cash to spare, it may just be worth checking out—if not for the cool works of art and handmade wares, then for the variety of artist demonstrations that will be held each day throughout the show. Here’s some of the most interesting…
Thursday
12pm: The Art of Cake Decorating: Presented by A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Wilton Method Instructors will show why it is truly an art form unto itself. You can also catch this demonstration at 11a.m on Friday and at 1 p.m on both Saturday and Sunday.
3pm: The Art of Flower Arranging: Philly’s own Jamie Rothstein Flowers will show you how to creatively combine flowers for color and effectiveness using vessels exhibited at the show.
Friday
12pm: Roberta and David Williamson from Berea, OH (booth #501) will demonstrate how to create a personalized cuff bracelet utilizing steel letter and number stamps, piercing and texturizing of metal.
2pm: Randall Darwall from South Yarmouth, MA (booth #208) will lead an interactive demonstration on the versatility of color and tying techniques of hand-woven scarves and shawls.
Saturday
11am: Ping Wu from New York (booth #719) will demonstrate how to wear her multi-functional scarves and hats.
2pm: Ann Emlein from Providence, RI (booth #604) will demonstrate her lace technique as well as talk about machine knitting, the materials used and how the machine actually works.
Sunday
11am: The Art of Coffee Making: Elixr Coffee of Philadelphia will demonstrate how coffee is extracted and talk about making coffee.
12pm: Leni Hoch from Glenmoore (booth #724) will show you three easy scarf tying concepts and variations.