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Closet Full of Vintage Dresses & Shades @ Katacomb

As the vintage and retro market continues to show strong growth, stylist Brooke Dillon is helping to bring the best of the best to Philadelphia.

Dillon, the owner and brains behind The Katacomb: Vintage, is offering a one of a kind shopping experience for the ultimate fashion girl.

In what feels like the closet of Vogue, Dillon has turned the lower level of her beautiful home into a chic showroom, displaying all of her stunning finds throughout her international travels.

Aside from having your choice of one-of-a-kind vintage clothing, jewelry and decor, you also get a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, as it is an appointment only boutique.

You’ll have the luxury of the entire showroom to yourself, with Dillon as your personal stylist. Browse through labels such as, Chanel, YSL, and Gucci throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s and even some rare items dating back to the 1800s.

Vintage pieces such as jewelry and scarves can also add the final touch to an otherwise simple outfit. These original pieces, once added to your usual dress can help you stand out and make your own statement.

Even better, it doesn’t have to break your bank. Those with the love and appreciation of fashion, but without the cash can still pick up a great bargain!

The Katacomb: Vintage [ www.thekatacomb.com ]

This weekend, the Hardy Plant Society is hosting their annual Fall Gardeners’ Market, inviting several nurseries and artists from around the region to come sell their plants and crafts.

They’ve expanded their offerings this year and are now including botanical-themed gift items, like jewelry and pottery.

The Gardeners’ Market is free and open to the public, and runs from 9am to 2pm this Saturday. For more information on the event, as well as directions, visit the Hardy Plant Society’s official website.

Fall Gardeners’ Market
Saturday, August 21, 2010, 9 am – 2 pm
www.hardyplant.org

Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge
1601 Valley Forge Road, Valley Forge, PA 19482
(610) 933-8825
www.freedomsfoundation.org

Celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week by doing your grocery shopping at a local market this weekend. The Philadelphia region is chock full of great markets on both Saturday and Sunday. To find a market near you, use the Philly Homegrown Food Finder. Alternately, pick a new-to-you market as a way to explore a different neighborhood. Here are a few of our weekend favs:

Saturday:
Clark Park, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rittenhouse Square, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Piazza, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Chestnut Hill, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Upper Merion, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday:
Headhouse Square, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Farmers’ Market at Reading Terminal, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A rendering of the new Walnut Street Apple Store. (Philadelphia Art Commission)

Apple is finally ready to open its very first retail store in Philadelphia. The grand opening of the new Walnut Street Apple Store will be this Friday, July 30th at 5 pm.

The Grand Opening event will take place from 5 – 8 pm and then the store will re-open on Saturday morning at 10 am for its regular business hours.

The store is located at 1507 Walnut Street along Rittenhouse Row and will be open from 10 am – 8 pm, Monday – Saturday and 11 am – 6 pm on Sundays.

The new store is designed by award-winning Pennsylvania architect Peter Bohlin, who also designed the famous Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York City, as well as Apple Stores in Manhattan’s Upper West Side and SoHo, and London, Paris and Japan.

UPDATE: Apple will be giving away free T-Shirts to the first 1,000 customers at the Grand Opening on Friday.

Philadelphia Walnut Street Apple Store [Official Site]
Apple store opening in Center City Philadelphia [Philadelphia Business Journal]

Root for Philly native Kristin Haskins Simms on the new season of Project Runway, premiering tonight at 9 p.m. on Lifetime. (Photo courtesy of Lifetime Television)

Philly 360° Insider Rakia Reynolds caught up with Philadelphia native Kristin Haskins Simms, a contestant on the new season of Lifetime’s Project Runway, and discovered the Strangefruit designer’s favorite Philly musicians, restaurants and of course, shops.

Head over to our sister site, Philly360.com, to read the entire exclusive interview.

Exclusive Interview with Project Runway Designer, Kristin Haskins Simms [Philly 360°]

Katacomb

Sick of blending in with the hundreds of Philadelphians who own the same Urban Outfitters dress as you? Me too. For a stand out outfit, look no further than The Katacomb: Vintage for your next shopping trip.

Brooke Dillon’s “boutique” offers a luxe, appointment-only shopping experience amongst private residences on 15th and Pine. Customers can make a one on one appointment with Brooke or have a shopping day with a few friends. She strives to keep the experience intimate, and can help you find anything you might need.

The lower floor of the space showcases a hallway with several closets of clothing (organized by color) leading into a large showroom with tables and racks of her one of a kind finds. Many of her items are from the past collections of Oscar de la Renta, YSL, and Dior, to name a few, but she does not limit her buying to high end and has pieces in a wide range of prices. Brooke goes on buying trips to Los Angeles and other locations, ensuring that all pieces are truly unique. Not limited to clothing, her showroom includes belts, sunglasses, and purses.

Personal favorite pieces included a bold floral maxi dress from the 1960s, brown leather Oscar de la Renta pencil skirt circa 1980, and a Studio 54 worthy black and gold sequined butterfly top. With so many beautiful pieces in excellent condition, your biggest problem will be choosing just a few!

Besides her vintage wears, Brooke makes commissioned coats, with the fur (real or faux) and lining (a variety of vintage fabrics) completely customizable. She also sells accessory pieces by local designers including reworked vintage jewelry and creative key keepers featuring silk scarves and antique keys to ensure you’ll never lose yours again (handy!).

All pieces are organically dry cleaned before entering the immaculate showroom, so they’re ready to wear. To add to the “perfect fit” experience at The Katacomb, custom alterations are free, ensuring that you’ll wear them well for years to come. For more information on how to explode this ‘katacomb’, visit Brooke’s official website.

Luscious Dresses Hang From the Ceiling @ Carmelita Couture

I don’t know how many stores you’ve been to that happen to have a seamstress on hand for sample-making, but my visit to Carmelita Couture was a definite first for me.

The entrance evokes vintage Paris with its black and white-striped awning and abundance of bright red hues. Once inside, you are greeted by luscious dresses hanging from the ceiling, shoes resting in cutouts in the walls accompanied by other colorful accessories. The clothes that you see make a definite statement of confidence and fashion-forwardness.

Carmelita Martell is the woman behind the clothes. She started the line in Miami in 2007 and is now based in Philadelphia where she creates her designs. She described the line as “fashion-forward and art-inspired”. Her clothes have been featured on Millionaire Matchmaker, Dancing With the Stars, and many a celebrity can be spotted in one of her pieces these days.

So, next time you feel you need a brush-up on the latest in fashion, stop by and open your mind to couture.

Carmelita Couture
17 N. 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(305) 310 0446
www.carmelitacouture.com

Outside Square Peg Artery & Salvage

If the fire-engine red exterior of Square Peg Artery and Salvage doesn’t command your attention, the unique trinkets and hand-made crafts displayed in the window will. Selling everything handmade and mostly local, this artist consignment shop is a prime spot for handmade crafts and fine arts.

If you’re looking for the perfect, one-of-a-kind gift, you’ll find it at Square Peg Artery and Salvage. From clothing, jewelry and handmade soaps, to tiles, paintings, cards and journals, Square Peg’s got you covered. Peruse shelves of handmade baby booties and necklaces made of keys and tiny books–you won’t find this stuff anywhere else.

Just walking through the store is an experience in itself. You’ll be opened up to new ideas—like jewelry made of typewriter keys and old watch parts—and entertained by clever t-shirts and witty, one-liner buttons.

Square Peg's Logo, Painted on the Basement Door

Square Peg isn’t just a store where eclectic design finds its home, it’s a place for creators to gather. The store works as a “community space for local artisans to connect, learn new skills and feel at home,” according to store owner Rachel Parker, who designed the store’s logo, which holds dual meaning. An artery is where one makes art, but it also represents the work of artists, which is from the heart.

And the store has a huge heart when it comes to showing its artist some love. Besides hosting a section of free supplies for artistic creation, Square Peg opens its doors every third Thursday of the month to host “I wish I were in Art School.” These workshops offer anyone the chance to bring in works in progress and receive critiques from local artisans.

Every first Saturday of the month, the consignment shop hosts opening receptions for a featured artist to display a work. With “sharing is caring” in mind, Square Peg also provides a list of resources to artists so they are able to find other places in which to show their work.

The store is usually open Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sundays 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, though has a different schedule throughout July. Check out their official website for summer hours, event details, workshop registration and online shopping.

Square Peg Artery and Salvage
108 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 360-5548
www.squarepegartery.com

Outside the Piazza, Photo by M. McClellan

This Saturday and Sunday, July 10th & 11th, is the official grand opening weekend of the Market at the Piazza, a new arts-crafts-clothing-food-etc bazaar that will continue year around within the Piazza at Schmidt’s courtyard.

Participating vendors include Elizabeth Bayu, Duke & Winston, Heart City Vintage, Showroom 77, Flygirrl, and dozens more. The new open air market runs from noon til 7pm.

This is in addition to the outdoor farmer’s market that runs every weekend from 10am to 3pm, where you can pick up local, sustainably grown food.

Piazza at Schmidt’s [ visitphilly.com ]

Come to the HAUTE Summer Party this Friday, June 25th, at Bus Stop and walk out with hot shoes, good deals and maybe a little something extra.

In celebration of warm weather and hot new styles from Irregular Choice, Nicole, Schu and more chic brands, Bus Stop is holding a party where guests can sip on PIMMS No. 1 cocktails and obsess over lush shoes on display and for sale.

The boutique will also be selling the new TOMMS Summer Collection, which includes cute Gold Glitters and super-comfy Cordones. Go ahead, indulge. For every pair of TOMS you purchase, the brand pays it forward by giving one pair of shoes to a child in need.

And with 15% off the purchase of any summer shoe (excluding TOMS), you can leave the store, new shoes in hand, without leaving your wallet empty.

The party starts at 5:30pm and lasts until 8:30pm. Be sure to come early. The first 10 customers will receive a free Bus Stop beach bag—as if you weren’t spoiled enough.

Bus Stop Boutique
750 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-3121
(215) 627-2357
www.busstopboutique.com

The Museum's Gift Shop

With the National Museum of American Jewish History getting ready to pack things up and move to their new location, they’re hosting a big sale in their museum shop to clean out their inventory.

Right now, the shop has discounted its entire inventory by 30% for in-store purchases. This includes hand-crafted jewelry, books, toys, and a number of other wares inside the shop.

This sale continues through June 30th, and then goes online at www.judaicashop.net.

The new National Museum of American Jewish History opens up November 14th.

National Museum of American Jewish History [ www.visitphilly.com ]

Garland of Letters' Sign

The independent bookstore scene has taken quite a hit in the past decade. One bastion of the breed can still be found amidst the hustle and bustle of South Street.

As you turn into Garland of Letters’ storefront at 527 South Street, an elegantly adorned sculpture of a lion will greet you and portend a bit of what is to come. This isn’t just a bookstore after all, it is an experience. The aroma of the store is relaxing in itself coupled and combined with the art adorning the high walls and ceiling, you may even get the feeling that you are not on South Street anymore.

Whether you are looking for a unique gift to lift the spirit, or some choice incense to soothe your nerves, Garland of Letters will have something to pique your interest. In addition to a wide array of books on topics ranging from religion to alternative medicine, yoga, and meditation, the store also carries high-quality jewelry, personal care items, and art (both prints and original pieces).

If you have a friend or family member that is in need of a relaxing interlude, bring them along on your first visit. Garland of Letters is one of those unique stores you will be talking about long after you have left.

Garland of Letters Bookstore
527 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-2218
(215) 923-5946