The Philly Collection 2012: This Week
Well folks, the clock is ticking. In just three days, The Philadelphia Collection will officially wrap up its fourth year.
Fortunately, it’ll be going out with a bang (i.e four huge fashion shows). So if you haven’t gotten dolled up and spent an evening enjoying fall’s fashion offerings at least once this past week, what the frick are you waiting for?
Here are some of the grand finale events going on this week (Note: PW Style with be covering the events marked with “**”). Follow us on Twitter (@PWStyle) to get the lowdown on the remaining fashion happenings.
TUESDAY
NINObrand & HyLo Boutique’s Shopping Soiree: For this special shopping experience, guests will have a chance to sample the newest pieces in NINObrand’s fall collection. Grab a cocktail, drape yourself in NINObrand’s chic creations and even enjoy a custom fitting by the creator/designer herself, Bela Shehu. 6-9pm. Free. HyLo Boutique, 333 S. 20th St.
Breeze Back Into Fall Fashion: Enjoy refreshments as you drool over the new fall fashions from Yoana Baraschi, Alice+Olivia, Tart, Weston Wear, Eva Franco and many more amazing designers. 5-7pm. Free. Kimberly Boutique, 123 S. 16th St.
WEDNESDAY
**Phashion Phest: Attracting over a thousand guests each year, this premier fashion and beauty event features a cocktail reception, a high-energy fall fashion show and a showcasing of an array of local salons, accessory boutiques, upscale retailers and other related businesses. The fashions of local student designers will also be displayed throughout. The theme for this year’s event is “Fashion Follies.” 7pm. $25-$60. The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut St.
**Model Citizens: Come and enjoy an evening of live music and drinks as Valanni showcases the fashions of several local designers and retailers during a free outdoor fashion show. The runway will extend out of the restaurant and onto Spruce Street. 10pm. Free. Valanni, 1229 Spruce St.
Fashion Up In Lights: Learn firsthand how clothes make a statement in every on both the big and small screen. A Hollywood costume designer will speak about the importance of fashion in film while designer Melody Thomas will be showing her latest collection. Michel Tcherevkoff, conceptual photographer and designer, will also showcase his new collection of shoes. RSVP at info@mrestaurantphilly.com. 5-8pm. Free. M Restaurant at the Morris House Hotel, 225 S. Eight St.
Hope Chest Center City Grand Opening: The Philly region’s premiere lingerie store is now opening a Center City boutique and all are welcome to come and help them celebrate. Owner Jen Rosen will have a carefully cultivated collection of fine lingerie, bras, sleepwear and shapewear for shoppers. Bring your old bras to donate to the non-profit org, Free The Girls with provides job opportunities to women rescued from sex trafficking. 6-9pm. Free. Hope Chest, 1937 Chestnut St.
SA VA Harvest Moon Fashion Show & Community Street Fair: See the SA VA Fall 2012 collection during an outdoor runway show stretching the entire 1700 block of Sansom Street. Meanwhile, several neighboring retailers and shops will participate in outdoor vending and entertainment with DJ and special guest speakers. Although the event is free and open to the public, VIP tickets are available and include all sorts of extra perks in addition to benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern PA. 6-8pm. $0-$40. SA VA, 1700 Sansom St.
THURSDAY
**Macy’s Fashion Show: Join celebrity host Kara Laricks, season one winner of the NBC show Fashion Star, for a runway show debuting the 2013 collections of The Philadelphia Fashion Incubator’s designers-in-residence. Macy’s hottest fall style trends will also be showcased. After the show, guests can shop the featured looks and enjoy makeovers from Macy’s Center City beauty partners. 5:30pm. Free. Macy’s, 1300 Market St.
**The Rittenhouse Row Fall Gathering: The annual celebration will feature a fashion show with the trendiest fall looks from Rittenhouse Row’s many amazing designer boutiques, modeled by some “familiar Rittenhouse faces.” Some of the neighborhood’s most talented bartenders will also go head to head in a cocktail competition. 7-9pm. $25. Comcast Center, 17th & JFK Blvd.
JRochelle Designs Trunk Show: Roots Inc in Chestnut Hill will be hosting a trunk show for the accessory collection of JRochelle Designs. 6-8pm. Free. Roots Inc., 8436 Germantown Ave.
What To Do This Weekend…
Warning: if you leave your house this weekend, be prepared for an insane amount of traffic, loud music and street vendors literally anywhere you go.
For the seventh year, this annual festival will once again celebrate East Kensington and the wonderful things the neighborhood has to offer with an afternoon of live music, food and fun as well as 200+ booths of local arts vendors. Some of the featured crafters whose handmade creations are likely to make you swoon include, As The Crow Flies and Co. (vintage ceramic china and stained glass jewelry), ABJ Glassworks (affordable and stunning 3-dimensional stained glass terrariums, mobiles, nightlights and lamps), Orgotten (sustainable, eco-friendly clothing/handmade, cruelty-free jewelry) and Two Lucky Cats (fun, vibrant textile accessories). Saturday, 12-6pm. Free. Trenton Ave. between Norris St. & Frankford Ave.
Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
One of the city’s most popular spring festivals, the annual event attracts over 10 thousand people around the region each year, rain or shine. For the sake of conserving space, let’s just say that basically every store and restaurant in the neighborhood will have something special going on—cooking demos, sales, workshops, live entertainment, kid’s activities, free shit, ect. In the midst of all the chaos, just be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the spring fashion booth from Rittenhouse Row’s many super-chic boutiques (Knit Wit, Sephora, Town Home, Joan Shepp, Arcadia, South Moon Under, Bella Turka, ect.). Saturday, 12-5pm. Free. Rittenhouse Row (Walnut St. between Broad & 19th Sts.)
9th Street Italian Market Festival
That’s right, yet another festival. So what does this one have to offer that the other two do not? In short, cannolis. In fact, you’ll find delicious, authentic Italian food literally everywhere you look (beat that Rittenhouse!) There will also be stages set up at each intersection with live music throughout the day and a craft marketplace between Fitzwater & Christian Streets featuring one-of-a-kind, handmade items from a juried selection of local artists. What local artists, you ask? Ummm…presumably whichever ones aren’t in Rittenhouse or Kensington. Again, the party doesn’t stop in the event of rain. Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. Free. Along 9th St., between Fitzwater & Federal Sts.
During the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, SA VA will be serving light refreshments and hosting a trunk show featuring three talented local designers who make all their items right her in the U.S.A: Toggery, J&I Jewelry and BCS Designs. Founded by Kate D’Arcy, Toggery is a contemporary fashion collection for women that blends beautiful design with luxurious, environmentally conscious fabrics (50 percent organic). The J & I jewelry collection is highlighted by gemstones and freshwater pearls, each piece hand formed in their Philly studio. Finally, there’s Center City designer Beth Soffer of BCS Designs who will be bringing along her collection of exquisite gemstones and 18K gold plated chains. Saturday, 12-3pm. Free. @ SA VA (1700 Sansom St.)
Nadeau Grand Opening Celebration
Enjoy drinks and nibbles while being one of the first to discover Manayunk’s newest retail haven: Nadeau. The store offers beautifully handcraft hardwood furniture imported from around the globe. This includes traditional and brightly painted dressers, TV stands, chair, accessories and more. And while perhaps not as cheap (or shitty) as Ikea furniture, Nadeau’s prices are actually pretty reasonable, especially considering that none of their pieces are mass-produced or cookie-cutter. Saturday, 10am-6pm. Free. @ Nadeau (4131 Main St.)
Also Tomorrow: Shopping Party & Fundraiser at SA VA
Wow, your Wednesday night sure is filling up quickly. Before heading over to The Trestle Inn to drool over BUS STOP boutique’s sexy shoe showcase, stop by SA VA in Center City (1700 Sansom St.) where they will be holding a special shopping party and fundraiser from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
While enjoying complimentary beverages, guests can shop the SA VA spring collection which is centered around eternal bloom and features ultra feminine pieces marked by soft shapes and wispy fabrics.
A portion of the party’s proceeds will be donated to InLiquid to help support their mission to create opportunities and exposure for emerging artists while making art more attainable to the general public with programming such as the upcoming Art for the Cash Poor and CAFe.
You’ll also be simultaneously helping SA VA in its mission to create a new kind of fashion community through local living wage creation, community partnerships and socially conscious clothing and accessories. If you didn’t already know, 90 percent of the garments the Philly-based brand sells are made in their adjacent garment center, always with fair-trade and often eco-friendly materials.
Certainly beats heading straight home after work and spending the rest of the night watching American Idol.
What To Do This Weekend
Finally a chance to out all your America’s Next Top Model fantasies! During this exclusive, two-hour Philly Dance Fitness workshop, instructor Beverly Holskin who has modeled and choreographed for hundreds of fashion shows around the area over the past two decades, will lead you through the three key components of modeling. First, you’ll learn to work the runway like a pro. Next, Beverly will show you some basic tips when posing for photos to ensure that you always get a flattering shot. Finally, you’ll get a hands-on makeup lesson, learning professional techniques for both day and night. The workshop is limited to only 20 women so be sure you to register ASAP. Sunday, 2:30-4:30pm. $20-$30. @ Major Movement Studio (1624 South St.)
With the forecast calling for summer-like temps, you can expect 2nd Street in Old City to be packed with vendors tonight selling their handmade creations. Once you’ve worked up a sweat, head a block over to Three Sirens Boutique for a refreshing margarita while perusing their new summer styles, including fun dresses from Press and Gracia. As always, the store will also be offering special in-store sales on clothing and accessories. Friday, 5-9pm. Free. @ Three Sirens Boutique (134 N. 3rd St.)
Once you’ve loaded up on margaritas at Three Sirens, head over to Smak Parlour for Smak-tinis and even more pretty spring dresses and accessories. Sultana Maria Jewelry will be hosting a pop-up shop with everything 20 percent off so be sure to keep your mother in mind before you go spending all your cash on yourself. Friday, 5-8pm. Free. @ Smak Parlour (219 Market St.)
The first of a slew of upcoming spring craft bazaars, Greensgrow Farms is inviting you to come and spend the afternoon appreciating nature and the great outdoors while perusing the handmade goods of more than 30 local artists and crafters. With the variety of items ranging from handmade soaps, candles and jewelry to prints, wood crafts and furniture, you should have no problem finding something your momma will like. Saturday, 9am-5pm. Free. @ Greensgrow Farms (2501 E. Cumberland St.)
SA VA Style Event
Join SA VA founder and CEO Sarah Van Aken for a super fancy cocktail party featuring a Style-It Fashion Show showcasing the brand’s signature “New Classics” collection, modeled by local celebs with jewelry provided by Bario-Neal. There will also be passed hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a chance to win one of two signature SA VA items. Following the event, shop at SA VA for the looks just shown, with 20 percent of all proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters. Space is limited and you can purchase tickets here. Sunday, 4-6pm. $59-$295. SA VA @ Sofitel Philadelphia (120 S. 17th St.)
Local Black Friday Sales
Avoid this, Shop Local.
Adresse (1706 Locust Street) - Get 30 percent off this weekend on select merchandise like Stella McCartney and Peter Som.
Arcadia (819 N 2nd and 265 S 20th) – From 11am-7pm, take 30 percent off of all black items and 15 percent off everything else.
Bus Stop (740 S 4th Street) – From 5:30 pm to 9 pm, take 20 percent off of the Autumn/Winter inventory of black footwear.
Denim Habit -(47 Saint Georges, Ardmore) – Now through Sunday, take 25 percent off of everything in the store.
J Karma (62 North 3rd Street) – Get 50 percent off remaining inventory in the store before it closes.
Jack Wills (1617 Walnut Street) – Get 30 percent off storewide.
Lucifer (350 S 15th Street) – Get 20 percent off storewide. Spin the boutique’s “Percentage-Off Wheel” to get additional savings.
Mitchell & Ness (1201 Chestnut Street) – All team jerseys will be offered for $100 (regularly ($150-$300).
Omoi (1608 Pine Street) – Get 35 percent off sale items.
Reward (55 North 2nd Street) Get 15 percent off store-wide. Additional discounts on red-line markdowns.
SA VA (1700 Sansom Street) – This whopping sale promises 50 percent off of one piece of regular-priced items and 25 percent off regular-priced accessories. Everything on the second floor will be reduced to $25.
Sazz Vintage (38 N. 3rd Street) – Everything in the store will be 40 percent off.
Ubiq (1509 Walnut Street) – Savings up to 60 percent off from open to close on Friday.
A Must-See Fashion Film Screening Tonight
Believe it or not, but Philly was once the second largest city for apparel and textile jobs in the country. That was of course until companies started shipping manufacturing jobs overseas. However, the growing movement around local, sustainable in recent years has created jobs and reinvigorated the fashion industry.
Tonight, from 6-8 p.m, Haworth Design (located at The Cutis Center) will be hosting the premiere of a new video series produced by The National Association of Sustainable Fashion Designers which highlights just how important local fashion is.
The first video of the series Fashion on the Frontline features four Philly designers—Cheryl Ana Organic Atelier, the natural dye-house BLUEREDYELLOW, Melissa D’Agostino Fashion Textile Design and Sarah Von Aken of SA VA—who each discuss how they’re working to develop ethical apparel lines in hopes of inspiring others in the industry.
The reception event will include cocktails and a Q&A with the designers who will also have some of their designs available on display.
Three Designer Sales
Three stores. Three sales. Lots of designer brand clothing and apparel. Here’s where you can save yourself some much-needed dough right now:
SA VA: This is the Philly-based brand’s biggest summer sale with 40 percent off regular priced clothing plus an additional 50 percent off already reduced sale items. They’ve got some amazing locally-made and globally-inspired clothes to choose from which are now actually affordable. The sale is going on both at their Center City flagship store (17th & Chestnut) and online (coupon code: SummerSale).
Benjamin Lovell: To celebrate 20 years in Philly, all merchandise will be 20 percent off till July 24.
South Moon Under: Their insane summer sale ain’t over just yet. In fact, it keeps getting better. Aside from offering up to 75 percent off on a limited selection of designer styles, you can now get an additional 25 percent off sale items (online code: “Extra25”).
SA VA: $78.00
South Moon Under: $82.95
Benjamin Lovell Shoes: $185.00
South Moon Under: $29.95
SA VA: $91.80
South Moon Under: $41.40