Photos: CandyCoated Cat Walk Promenade
Yesterday evening, at 5:30 p.m. on the dot, folks cutting through Rittenhouse Square on their way home were treated to a fashion spectacle unlike any they’ve probably ever seen.
Hosted as part of DesignPhiladelphia, the outdoor runway show was conceived by Candy Depew of CandyCoated in parnership the Philadelphia Art Alliance and innovative local designer, Lobo Mau. And just as the event description promised, the models strolled down the catwalk donning furball-esque quaffs and feline-inspired face paint. Going one step further, they even meowed, hissed and clawed.
While certainly a little bizarre, the theatrical presentation actually seemed befitting given the featured collection of one-of-a-kind, over-the-top fashions—a creative collaboration between Depew and Mau who share both an eye and appreciation for unique screen-printed textiles.
My favorite look was definitely the pink circle skirt with the black diamond decals, which was paired with a printed jacket covered in rosebuds and little gold diamonds.
The only thing that would have made the show better: the models getting on all fours and rubbing up on the ankles of passerbys.
Hang Out With Rookie Mag Today
Image Courtesy of The Style Rookie
As part of the Rookie Mag Road Trip, which just started yesterday in Brooklyn, some awesome ladies will be stopping in Philly today to hang out with their readers. The plan is to meet at Long in the Tooth (20th and Sansom) at 1 p.m. to shop for records and then over to Rittenhouse Square Park at 2 p.m. to make some crafts, all while I imagine some serious bonding will be going on.
Because it’s so wonderful, sometimes I feel it is a duty of mine to spread the gospel of Rookie Mag to those blind to it. Even if you’re no longer a teenage girl, it’s still the greatest thing ever. I often wonder what my high school self would’ve been like if I had it as my survival/sanity guide, which is probably a more confident, bad-ass and just generally cooler version of myself. Luckily for those of us post-teenage, it’s still completely enjoyable and helpful with articles about make-up, looking like David Bowie, honest advice about life and love and, really, just anything that may have ever crossed your mind about the quarrels of being a girl in this world.
I’ll be stuck in class and can’t make it, so to all of you who plan on going, say hi to Tavi for me!
-Emily O’Neill
Local Love: Kiki Hughes Boutique
Upon entering this Rittenhouse boutique, you’ll be greeted with the slight trickling from a waterfall descending on the wall, the low lights from the bejeweled chandeliers, and of course the gorgeous clothes adorning the hangers and shelves. If you look carefully there’s an obvious, yet subtle welcome to the store. A slender, curling tree reaching high up to the ceiling. “It’s my favorite part of the store,” owner Kiki Hughes says proudly while donning her signature rock-n-roll style with dark, voluminous hair.
Visiting Kiki Hughes will feel just like home. Well, if your home looks like an amazing walk-in closet.
This gorgeous shop makes for the perfect home for luxuriously kitschy clothes and accessories. Here you’ll find a slew of comfy knits, menswear-inspired blazers, and blouses in various hues and prints. Amongst your usual boutique buys are the real original, quirky pieces. Crushed velvet capes, fur shrugs, and—my favorite piece of the store: a black and burgundy velvet-lace collar neckpiece.
Kiki Hughes is the perfect place for ladies who have a classic look with a pinch of vintage flair and eccentricity. Kiki makes sure that no two pieces are alike, and loyal customers will always find something new and interesting. “I try not to wear things that I sell here, because customers would want to buy them right off my back!” Kiki jokes.
No, you can’t snatch up Kiki’s clothes as she’s wearing them, but you really don’t need to with such a fantastic selection in her store.
~ Jennifer Nguyen
Zara’s Online
Do all the Zara fans out there know that Zara’s online now? Finally. And you can eliminate those pesky shipping costs by having it delivered to the store. Thank gawd because the brand has more to offer that what you see on Walnut St. Seriously, the Philly store doesn’t do Zara justice.
This September they opened up online and all they have to offer abounds. And they make it easy for you.
For example, I bought this faux fur coat to go with an outfit. Picked it up at the store, and it was wrapped up all pretty. Unfortunately, it was more of a blue-black than the black-black I wanted (bastards in that regard).
So instead of my usual process of having the jacket sit in its box in my living room for weeks (which I would most likely trip over every day until getting the motivation to drag it to the post office – where I would wait in line forever as the clerks take their sweet ‘ole time – only to find out out weeks later that I got a store credit because I returned it too late), I just dropped it off to the Zara store with no hassle whatsoever. Done.
Now if only H&M would get on board…
~Zenovia Campbell
Jack Wills Will Blow You Away
Jack Wills opened a store on 16th and Walnut streets Friday night at 5:30 p.m. With its pink and blue striped walls, map of the northeast and vintage books perched atop a fireplace, the store reminds me of J.Crew meets a swank ski lodge, and it’s a mecca of British pop culture.
Given its British roots, the men’s clothes are elegant in their simplicity. Everything garment in the store fits slimmer than its American counterpart; their blazers had a tailored look without actually being tailored, and the jeans were tighter than anything I’ve seen in America while still being really comfortable.
The nice thing about their men’s line was how almost every piece could be dressed up or down with several staples. Their blazers could be dressed down for a night on the town with a pair of slim dark blue jeans, or dressed up for lunch at the country club with a nice pair of khakis.
Much like the men’s line, the women’s line was very old school prep. Pressed oxford shirts, high waisted knee length skirts and leather loafers could easily be dressed up with the right accessories or dressed down for a day at the office.
The clothes aren’t cheap, but they appear to be well made. Given that the store sells well-made wardrobe staples, the prices aren’t terrible considering what you’re getting. If you’re into New England chic, Jack Wills is definitely worth checking out.
Street Snaps: Summer Silhouettes
I’ve noticed that hats (not baseball caps) have, in general, come back in vogue in the city. I’m quick to say that Urban Outfitter’s presence offering of affordable hats have contributed, but then that rudely discounts all the boutiques offering quality pieces. To say the least, I have been greatly enjoying the variety and breadth of summer straw hats seen around town, and today’s Street Snaps is no exception. Continuing from last week’s more mature interviewee is this breezy example of how to dress for the summer while still being modestly clothed. And by no means is this a look confined to those of more age and experience — lengthy, ambiguous silhouettes can be so dramatic, which is almost always more head-turning than something “sexy.”
Martha, from Philadelphia.
What’s your favorite thing on today?
“On television?”
On your outfit.
“Oh, on my outfit? My shoes and my hat. Covers a multitude of sins. (laughs)”
Are there any trends that you’re tired of in Philadelphia?
“I am tired of the bare mid-drifts.”
The short, loose shirts cut into mid-drifts?
“Yeah, yeah… And I would like to see the long skirts come back. I like that!”
They’ve come back in style now.
“Yeah. (Husband suggests the ‘bare bellies’) And the bare bellies on fat people.”
Oh no! All right. Well I’ll keep the questions short here, unless you have anything else to add.
“I’m older. Very mature. Three children. Married fifty-five years — I was three, it was an arranged marriage. (laughs) No, no. But we were cyclists at one time, till my husband broke his knee and had a knee replacement. And we go to Florida for six months and live in Philadelphia across from the art museum for six months… And our life has ended up being very nice. We’re very happy. Our children are all seemingly happy.”
Elegant & subdued embellishments in dark plum polish
Nice. Do you have any tips or thoughts on cultivating a comfort in your own body?
“I always felt my job was to — and my husband felt the same way — produce these children so that they could be independent, support themselves — we weren’t rich enough to support them for the rest of their lives, we didn’t want to, and it wasn’t a question. After college, they were on their own and they had to take something in which they knew they would be able to support themselves. And that was important. We also said no to a lot of things. And whenever one of my sons says ‘you never took us to Europe‘ and ‘you never took us here‘, and I always say, and look how wonderfully you turned out. That shuts ‘em up.
“So… But you have to have a sense of humor. If you can’t laugh at life…”
Then what are you gonna do?
“My husband’s very funny. Last week we went to the Ritz, and he got me a big soda because it was free if you had to refill it. And he reached over and he poured the whole thing by accident all over me. Just before the movie started. I was sitting in wet clothes from top to bottom. But he went back and he said to the guy, ‘she was so thirsty.’ (laughs) Boy, was she thirsty! So all we could do was laugh about it at that point. But anyway, that’s not interesting.”
Well it’s always interesting to hear what people have to say. But anyway, any last comments?
“I love Philadelphia. I absolutely love it. I don’t like to go to Florida because I miss Philadelphia. I really do. And it has a lot to offer.”
If you’re looking for more Philly street style, visit Broad&Market, or check out the Street Snaps archive by clicking on the “street snaps” tag just below.
Street Snaps: Continuous Glamour
One day in your life, you find this one object of clothing or some accessory, and it changes your style outlook forever. It’s the day you realize that you shouldn’t wear XYZ cut or silhouette because it’s just not you. It’s the day you realize that you can appreciate someone else’s look without later attempting to copy it. Cause it’s not you. You are you. Admittedly, I secretly sigh when someone tells me “I just do me,” but it’s a legitimate response, especially when that person is so put together. This week’s Street Snaps did not cull such a response, but I just wanted to point out how nicely Alima’s glasses, eyebrows, haircut, and face shape complimented each other — to me, that demonstrates a rich self-awareness. Pair it with bold stripes and that touch of red? Yeah, let’s get into this:
“My name is Alima. I’m from Philly.”
What do you think about the style of Philadelphians? How have you seen it change since you were younger until now?
“Well, I like style a lot, but as I’ve gotten older my complaint is, a lot of things I want to wear, I feel too old to wear. Sometimes I push it, but I kinda like the fact that most people have decided to do their own thing and not worry about what everyone else thinks about it. And I wish I could do that more with myself.”
Do you have a workplace dress code or anything that holds you back like that?
“I just went through this last night. I was going to tie a big scarf as a halter, and the way I came up with it, my entire back was out. And I thought, oh this is pushin it. I feel thirty in here (touches chest), but I have to remember that I’m not.”
Is there anything you see other Philadelphians wear a lot that you wish would stop?
“Yeah, in a way. I like jeans, but on some days, does everyone have on the same uniform?”
Do you own many jeans?
“I have about ten pairs. Like I said, I like them a lot, but I don’t wanna wear them every day. And I see them more than anything else. Maybe it’s because it’s an easy thing to…”
It’s something American. Like once you go outside of the United States — or at least, I’ve been to Europe and I’ve been to Japan, and both times I was like, wow nobody wears jeans like we do. It’s crazy. But I’ve thought about it. If you go into a retail store they don’t have anything but jeans.
“True. So I like them, as I said. But some days — you can come downtown on a Saturday and that’s all you see. That’s all you see. So maybe it’s an easy default when ‘oh I don’t know what I wanna wear‘ — throw jeans on.”
Are there things you look at the get inspired, since we’re surrounded by jeans all the time?
“Mmmm… I would have to say more magazines — I’m not really inspired by the people I see on the streets, so I have to look at something else. (chuckles)”
Is there a favorite magazine you have?
“Well, I like Glamour. I guess that’s pretty much my favorite as far as fashion.”
So switching to what you’ve got on right now, is there anything you have on that’s a favorite of yours?
“Actually not. No. I’ve had this sweater for maybe three years, and I haven’t worn it for the last two. The pants, I’ve had them for about a month. And this is the first time I’ve put them on, today. Not a favorite yet, but I think these pants are so comfortable, they’re gonna become a favorite. Without a doubt.”
Do you have a current obsession?
“Uhh, no. No.”
Do you have any shout-outs or comments or anything you’d like to say to the readers?
“The readers? Be yourself.”
If you’re looking for more Philly street style, visit Broad&Market, or check out the Street Snaps archive by clicking on the “street snaps” tag just below.