Old City Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Zipper This Saturday
As some of you may already be aware, the galleries and shops in Old City have recently come together to expand the neighborhood’s iconic First Friday festivities to include an entire weekend of art, shopping and dining.
What you probably weren’t aware of is that they have something extra special in store for the May edition of First Friday Weekends.
Marking the 100th anniversary of the patenting of the zipper, this Saturday, 12 of the neighborhood’s best design and fashion destinations are taking part in a free, zipper-centric fashion show dubbed “ZIP 19106.”
Students from Philadelphia University, along with a few local boutique staffers, will be modeling a variety of clothing, objects and accessories—all featuring zippers—during an energetic runway show narrated by Snyderman-Works Galleries Director Frank Hopson and set to the live tunes of DJ Adub.
Afterwards, the models will mingle with the crowd to give you a closer look at their fashions and answer any questions you may have about where you can find them. Chances are you’re going to be particularly intrigued by Kate Cusack’s intricate, sculptural and surprisingly chic zipper jewelry (see right).
Meanwhile, food and drinks will be provided by several local restaurants, including Art in the Age, Cuba Libre, Wedge + Fig and Pinot. As for the boutiques and stores participating in the show—all of which will all remain open during the event, some offering special sales and spirits—that list includes Franklin Square, Smak Parlour, More Than Old, Three Sirens Boutique, The Geisha House, Sugarcube and US* U.S. Boutique.
The zipper-centric bash is open to the public and will be going down from 4-6 p.m. at Snyderman-Works Galleries, at 303 Cherry St.
Six Stylish Happenings This Weekend
I hope you were already planning to go shopping this weekend. If you weren’t, you may want to reconsider your plans.
SURFACE: Viaducts of Fashion Fundraiser
By now most of us have heard about the Reading Viaduct Project, which seeks to build a neighborhood park along the long forgotten elevated Viaduct in the Callowhill/Chinatown North section of the city. It would be nice if something finally happened, right? To support the project, the urban revitalization group, SURFACE, will be hosting a bash showcasing the fashions of local eco-friendly designers, Melissa D’Agostino and Bela Shehu of NINOBRAND along with the photographs of Julia Blaukopf. Though there will be a fancy schmancy exclusive fashion show at 5 p.m., it’ll be immediately followed by a public reception during which guests will enjoy wine and have an opportunity to chat with artists. On Saturday and Sunday, CITYSPACE will also opening its doors to the public, creating an intimate retail setting where you can meet the designers and shop their goods from 12-5 p.m. Fri/5, 7-9pm. $25-$35. CITYSPACE, 2200 Walnut St.
That’s right, one of Philly’s most beloved boutiques has managed weather the economic storm for eight whole years. And you bet your ass owners Abby and Katie are going to celebrate. Besides offering store-wide discounts on select items all weekend long, the ladies are going to give away free b-day gifts to the first 50 customers and raffle off eight $10 gift certificates throughout the night. Oh, and this wouldn’t be Smak Parlour we’re talking about here if there weren’t pink cupcakes. Fri/5, 5-8pm. Free. Smak Parlour, 219 Market St.
Cayetano Legacy Trunk Show & Sample Sale
Curated specially by Three Sirens Boutique, the women’s accessories brand Cayetano Legacy Collection will be bringing some of their most popular spring pieces as well as a selection of only-available-here-samples. The collection is marked by colorful statement pieces, most featuring genuine, natural stones like the cuff bracelet and hand embroidered bib style necklace you see above. If you can’t make it out tonight, no worries—the trunk show will be going on through May 11. Fri/5, 5-9pm. Free. Three Sirens Boutique, 134 N. Third St.
First Friday Vintage Garden Party & Trunk Show
Arcadia Boutique is ringing in spring in style by inviting two talented local designers to showcase and sell their wares at their NoLibs shop for First Friday. Nana Pat Project will be bringing their selection of vintage and handmade fashions for the spring (I’m loving their spring scarves made from vintage 80s textiles) while newbie jewelry designer, Tessa Kennedy of New Histories will be bringing along pieces from her collection of elaborate rings, all inspired by the jewelry of yesteryear. Enjoy snacks and spring cocktails while you shop and definitely check out Arcadia’s new spring arrivals while you at it since it’ll all be 15 percent off. Fri/5, 5-9pm. Free. Arcadia Boutique, 819 N. Second St.
The Wardrobe Boutique Spring Fashion Show & Style Brunch
Helping to raise money for Career Wardrobe, a local non-profit empowering women in transition with free professional clothing and educational seminars, professional stylists, Jessie Holeva and Tia Gibson are not only going to show you some of the biggest spring trends, but they’re going to offer you tips on how to pull off yourself. Guests will also enjoy light refreshments and receive 25 percent off all new inventory, free gifts and a chance to win a free Wardrobe Boutique shopping spree. Though the $20 dollar ticket is a pretty small charitable donation, right now, PW Style readers can score themselves a ticket for half off by entering the checkout code “FRIEND.” Sun/7, 11am-2pm. $20-$30. The Wardrobe Boutique, 1822 Spring Garden St.
Local Gifts For The Kiddies
Baby Gaga Onesie, $29.50 / Born Yesterday, 1901 Walnut St.
Volta Organics Baby Balm, $10 / Available at Craft Foundry (701 Belgrade Ave.), JuJu Salon and Organics (713 S. Fourth St.), Nice Things…Handmade (1731 E. Passyunk Ave.) and VIX Emporium (5009 Baltimore Ave.)
Schmidt Happens Youth Thermal, $21.49 / Philly Phaithful, 737 N. Fourth St.
Philly Onesie, $26 / Verde, 108 S. 13th St.
Children’s Magic Revolving Lamps, $32.95 / Gourmet of Olde City, 26 N. Third St.
Owl Bookends, $39.50 / Born Yesterday, 1901 Walnut St.
Bunny Love/Little Kitten Baby Onesie & Bib Sets, $28 each / Smak Parlour, 219 Market St.
Gifts For Her (Under $50)
That’s right–there’s great gifts out there for the ladies that don’t cost an arm and a leg. If you haven’t already, check out PW’s 2012 Giving Guide and return to this here blog next week as I shall be unleashing plenty more gift ideas.
What To Do This Weekend…
Just in case you didn’t already know, NoLibs is certainly be the place to be this Sunday. Now in its fourth year, this supersized, all-day block party promises to be the biggest yet, equipped with a four music and event stages as well as all the workshops, art, food, beer and crafts you can imagine. As far as the line-up of vendors, several NoLibs boutiques, including Art Star, SWAG and Arcadia will be selling their goods outside in addition to over 150 awesome local crafters and designers—BreakawayINK Apparel, Duke & Winston, Wise Owl Shop, Birdie Jewelry, Snowbird Vintage, Gypsy Adornment and Buttercup Jewelry, just to name a few. Seriously, the entire list of expected vendors and performers is one of the most expansive I’ve seen to date. So, in other words, go! Sunday, 12-10pm. Free. @ N. 2nd St. between Germantown Ave. & Spring Garden St.
Old City First Friday
Starting tonight, Smak Parlour (219 Market St.) will no longer be celebrating “First Friday” as usual. Rather, they’ve decided to extend their monthly celebration two extra days, officially launching “First Weekends in Old City” (let’s hope it catches on). That said, now through Sunday, the boutique will be offering a buy-one-get-one-FREE deal on all sale items. Over at Moko Hair Studio (55 N. Third St.) however, they’ll be continuing the First Friday tradition with a special “Bangs, Braids, Brows” event tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Guests will be treated to complimentary braiding, brow consultations and even free bang trims.
Handmade Market & Community Arts Project
For their annual art bazaar event, Paradigm Gallery has invited various local artists to come and sell their plethora of affordable, handmade goods—from artwork and prints to clothing and jewelry throughout the day. Meanwhile, guests will also have a chance to unleash their own creativity as Paradigmwill also be holding it’s third ever Community Art Project. The theme of this month’s event is wheat-pasting and as always, the gallery will provide any necessary materials. Saturday, 12-6pm. Free. @Paradigm Gallery (803 S. 4th St.)
If you live in West Philly, chances are you’re well familiar with this monthly flea market. And for those of you who aren’t normally inclined to venture beyond 40th and Baltimore, perhaps its time. As always, vendors will fill Clark Park selling a plethora of items—from antiques, furniture, records and books to jewelry, crafts, food and bikes. Saturday, 9am-5pm. Free. @Clark Park (43rd & Chester Ave.)
First Friday Fashion
NOLIBS
Arcadia Boutique: Getting a head start on their massive summer sale, the boutique will be offering up to 60 percent off spring styles and 15 percent off everything else in the shop including new summer additions from Dolce Vita, Threads for Thought and BB Dakota. And nothing goes better with savings than some fruity sangria. (819 N. 2nd St.)
Art Star: Take 15 percent off all regular priced items plus an additional 10 percent off sale items. There will even be a table of “Super Sale” items including calendars and prints marked as low as 75 percent off. (623 N. 2nd St.)
Once Worn Consignment: In addition to drinks, snacks and tons of sales, from 5-8 p.m., Al Huda Fashions will be doing their traditional contemporary and unique henna designs outside. (910 N. 2nd St.)
Concrete Polish: Stop by now through Sunday and receive 25 percent off all of CP’s incredibly awesome jewelry. If you can’t make it to the showroom, shop online using the checkout code “Fireworks.”(716 N. 3rd St.)
OLD CITY
Smak Parlour: Seek shelter from the sweltering heat and enjoy complimentary freeze pops from 5-7 p.m. While there, you might as well peruse their selection of feminine summer dresses, bold accessories and printed hair bows. (219 Market St.)
Three Sirens Boutique: Missed their 4th of July sale? No worries—the boutique will be offering customers 15-30 percent off storewide all day today as well as an additional gift with purchase from 5-9 p.m. They’ll be serving up cold glasses of their popular lemonade punch. (134 N. 3rd St.)
Moko: Experience the salon’s aromatherapy misting or have your hair chalked up in a non-permanent bold pastel by one of their experienced stylists from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (55 N. 3rd St.)
Adorn Boutique: Pour yourself a glass of wine and behold the stunning array of crystal, handcrafted and fair trade treasures of owner and designer Sarah Lewis. (1314 Frankford Ave.)
Two Percent To Glory: Besides offering an unusually generous helping of free wine, beer and snacks, this vintage haven happens to be one of the finest I’ve been to in the city. In fact, there’s so much amazing merch in the store that you could easily drink three beers in the time it takes you to rummage through it all. Oh, and be sure to keep an eye out for the bucket of $5 fashions. (1817 Frankford Ave.)
Craft Foundry: Over at Angler Movement Arts Center, Craft Foundry will be showcasing some of their jewelry, crafts and new Volta Organics items. The studio will be hosting a wine reception starting at 6 p.m. followed by their “Lure” performance series at 8 p.m. (1550 E. Montgomery Ave.)