June 19, 2009
“Common creatures, in other cities, dress to live; but in Paris people live to dress.” – Charles Dickens (1867).
We all know how Paris has been inspiring fashion addicts for centuries, but it is fascinating to discover the evolution of the shopping process.
The Shopping in Paris exhibition, showing at the Spain Gallery of the Philadelphia Art Museum until October 25th, pairs, among its nearly 35 garment and accessories, the luxurious designs of leading couturiers such as Charles Worth, Emile Pingat and Paul Poiret with American fashion items inspired by these Parisian designers.
The exhibit also underlines the radical changes in ladies fashion at the corner of the century, evolving from stiff, heavy gowns to light, leg-showing dresses as women were experiencing a newly found independence.
Shopping in Paris French Fashion 1850-1925
Now through October 25, 2009
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA”Ž
(215) 235-3200
June 18, 2009
Joan Shepp’s namesake shop, packed among the chain stores of Walnut Street, is a true standout. Shoppers feel cooler just walking into the industrial-chic, white-washed space, which feels more like a downtown loft than a boutique. After over 35 years in the business (her first two stores opened in the suburbs in 1971), Shepp is Philadelphia’s reigning queen of high-end fashion. She and her daughter make annual trips to the major fashion weeks and use their discerning eyes to choose pieces that are trendy and sophisticated.
The result is a carefully curated designer selection of everything you need to get dressed: shoes, accessories, bags, and a mix of wardrobe staples (smartly tailored shirts and Jil Sander pants) and avant-garde looks (asymmetrical patterned Gaultier dresses). There is a smattering of new designers on the racks, but tried-and-true names prevail: Yohji Yamamoto, Sonia Rykiel, Ann Demeulemeester, and Junya Watanabe are among the perennial favorites.
And if you’re so busy salivating over everything you need some extra help navigating the collection, you can set up a personal style consultation with one of the boutique’s seasoned staffers.
Joan Shepp
1616 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-735-2666
www.joanshepp.com
June 1, 2009
If you still need a reason to believe the Philadelphia Naval Yard has gone through a dramatic resurgence of a different color, here’s one. The first shipyard of the most powerful Navy in the world is going to host a fashion show.
On Saturday, June 6th, the annual fashion show from the fashion design and design merchandising programs at the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University will be held at the corporate headquarters of Urban Outfitters in the Naval Business Center.
The annual Drexel Fashion Show is the program’s culmination and features collections ranging from evening wear, men’s and women’s wear, sportswear and swimwear, children’s wear, lingerie and more. This year’s show will feature original designs from 20 graduating seniors and eight graduate students. Student collections compete for industry awards which in the past have been sponsored by: Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Lily Pulitzer, Destination Maternity and Joan Shepp.
Fashion design students begin the research for their collections in the fall and spend the next seven months creating pieces that exemplify their vision. Each student illustrates and then creates the patterns and final garments with great precision.
Tickets are $25 for the 4 PM show and $50 for the 8 PM show. A reception will follow the 8 PM show. Guests can also enjoy a private champagne cocktail reception with Hochman at 6:30 PM. Fashion Design students’ original lingerie designs will be seen on the runway and open the show…
May 29, 2009
Attention you all-star shoppers! Skip the mall, log off eBay and enjoy spending your cash in the great outdoors. The 2009 Art Star Craft Bazaar is happening this weekend from 11AM to 6PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Crafts, food, free gifts, live music and play for the kiddies-it all takes place at Penn’s Landing Great Plaza thanks to the good people of Art Star Gallery.
Craftaholics get ready, ‘cause this bazaar is big! Over 100 emerging artists fresh off the Indie Craft Scene have been selected by Art Star for this show. That means that artists and crafters from all over the country will be displaying their work for your shopping pleasure. Take your pick from a fine array of clothing and jewelry, handmade dolls, hats, house wares and stationary. There will even be a selection of fine art like prints, sculpture, ceramics, glass and more. And the best part? It’s all surprisingly budget-friendly and, of course all handmade, with that distinctive quirky Art Star aesthetic.
Wanna know what music you can enjoy while you shop? Check the line up out after the jump!
To add more fun to the afternoon there will be a chance to win a craft-stocked gift basket filled with goodies like 2 tickets to Inliquid’s Anniversary Benefit and a 3-Month Group Membership to Balance Health Center.
And when you’ve worked up an appetite, stop by NoLibs hot spots A Full Plate and The Soy Café, who will be on hand to feed hungry shoppers. Meanwhile, keep the little ones amused with hands on ceramic projects courtesy of The Clay Studio and meet and greet embroidery queen Jenny Hart (only on Saturday!).
Don’t forget to get to the show early as the first 250 visitors will get a chic Art Star Craft Bazaar tote stuffed with gifts like treats from Holly Hue Clothing, Jaime Zollars, Brainstorm Print & Design and Philly.Life.Craft, just to name a few.
See you there!
The 2009 Art Star Craft Bazaar
Penn’s Landing Great Plaza
Columbus Boulevard between Walnut Street and Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
May 26, 2009
If the toy stores of the world formed their own kingdom (hey, it could happen!), Happily Ever After would be crown royalty. The tiny Antique Row gem – easily one-tenth the size of your average Toys R Us – is bursting with creativity and fun times, sure to inspire adults as well as children.
From an exquisite array of collectors’ dolls (check ‘em out here) to classic toys like wooden trains, puzzles and jack-in-the-boxes, Happily Ever After contains a diverse selection of carefully-chosen toys that exhibit superior craftsmanship and good taste. You won’t find anything battery-operated or violence-inspired here… although you might find toys inspired by your favorite 1950s sitcom (I Dream of Jeannie, anyone?)
Prices are a little more expensive than what you’d find at Walmart, but the quality speaks for itself. Chatting with the owners (friendly as can be!) it’s clear that they regard toy-collecting as a lifelong passion. And the result is pure magic.
Happily Ever After
1010 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 627-5790
www.happily.com
May 21, 2009
I’ve probably walked past Linu Boutique, the tiny, classy-looking linens shop on Antique Row, 1,000 times without venturing inside. Why? Mostly, I was intimidated… by the gorgeous fabrics and impeccable tailoring always elegantly displayed in the front window.
But then last week, drunk on spring air and euphoria, I felt indulgent, and decided to pop my head inside. The tiny trove did not disappoint! A store for people who love beautiful things, Linu is an oasis of one-of-a-kind treasures, from hand-made curtains and tablecloths to luxe shawls and breezy scarves to an impressive selection of unique house wares, such as ceramic bowls, teapots, candlesticks, and platters (not linen, but still pretty!).
Owner Karina Sotnik runs the show here, importing luxurious fabrics from as far away as the Baltics, then custom-designing quality items to meet clients’ desires. At 23, I don’t have a need for custom table runners YET – but I’ll certainly stop by next time I need a wedding gift or a present for my grandma’s birthday (like these pretty purple napkins, just $22!). Beautiful things, affordable prices… what more could a girl possibly want?
Linu Boutique
1034 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 238-0747
www.linuboutique.com
May 7, 2009
Inside Bob & Barbara’s
Spring time craft fairs are not the kinds of things you generally associate with bars. Little old ladies selling knitted sweaters next to a guy who makes custom painted flower vases doesn’t scream bitchin’ nightlife to anyone.
Which is why Bob and Barbara’s Craft Bazaar had a lot to live up to when the weekly event premiered last week. But the location and the extremely low vendor fees (booth rates start at just $10) kept the top-notch young crafters coming.
Philly artists, textile makers and art students gathered to sell their wares at the bar most famous for the Philly Special. The 15th-and-South institution hosted half booth spaces inside the bar and the other half out. And while this is still a bar, the ownership is lax about the door during the Craft Bazaar. That means feel free to bring the kids. And your little dog, too.
According to the Bob and Barbara’s MySpace page, the Craft Bazaar is set to be a monthly event, giving you the best Philly gear for recession-level prices. You can check it out this and every Saturday through the summer from 11am-3pm. Because this ain’t your grandmother’s craft fair. This one is a Philly Special!
Bob & Barbara’s
1509 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 545-4511
April 16, 2009
FUEL, where the show is taking place!
Green with Fashion is more than an eco-fashion show spotlighting designers from across the country… it is a charity event conceived out of a senior project assigned at Drexel University. This show not only celebrates great design but provides a wealth of information on environmental issues to the community.
On April 22nd, take the opportunity to be inspired by the works of over 30 designers and boutiques participating in the show. Plus, Drexel students (including a buddy of mine) will have the opportunity to present their own eco-friendly sportswear designs at the event!
Carbon Fund will be donating five tons of carbon offsets to make the event carbon neutral, not-to-mention an addition 15 other sponsors from all over the map are on board for the show. Green with Fashion is to take place in Old City at the F.U.E.L. house, which you may recall is where they filmed the Philly house for MTV’s Real World back when after midnight you could still view music videos.
As an FYI, the fashion show is only getting its word out their by way of the internet and word of mouth. Tickets can only be purchased in advance and their proceeds also go to benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. So be sure to log onto their website to make your purchase!
The FUEL House
249-51 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 592-8400
www.fuelcollection.com
April 14, 2009
When I was growing up, I was an avid reader with a taste for books set in earlier eras. I devoured the collected works of Louisa May Alcott as well as the Betsy and Tacy books, by Maud Hart Lovelace (apparently I preferred authors with three names). One of the things that was so wonderful about these books were the exhaustive descriptions of the clothes the female characters wore. No sartorial detail went undocumented and I longed to step into those long dresses instead of my jeans and sweaters.ÂÂÂ
Last Saturday, the Philadelphia Museum of Art premiered a new exhibition in the Perelman Building that completely satisfied the little girl in me who still loves all those fashions from bygone eras. Called Shopping in Paris: French Fashion from 1850 – 1925, the exhibit features nearly 25 gowns from the PMA’s fashion collection that are displayed along with era-appropriate accessories. It’s a fascinating exhibition, because it gives one the ability to see clearly the ways in which fashion changed and evolved over a seventy-five year period. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to see up close the artistry that went into each item.ÂÂÂ
Last week, I had a chance to visit this exhibit prior to its opening and took a few pictures of the garments. You can find the full slideshow of images here.ÂÂÂ
This exhibition will be on display in the Perelman’s Spain gallery now through October 25th, 2009. There is also a complimentary exhibit on display in the Perelman Building Library called Something to Wear: Fashion in Print 1850-1925 that will be on view through the summer. General PMA admission will also cover admission to this exhibition.ÂÂÂ
April 1, 2009
Hip, one-of-a-kind fashion boutiques grow up so fast, don’t they?
Smak Parlour opened at 219 Market Street four years ago, just as Old City’s ascendance as a destination for hip shopping began. And now, they’re celebrating.
On April 3rd, the month’s First Friday, Smak Parlour is hosting its annual Pink Birthday Bash from 6-9 p.m. That means 20 percent off any one item and fun birthday presents with purchase. Oh, and, yeah, there will cupcakes. Pink, frosted cupcakes. And cocktails, of course.
The boutique is dressed for the spring season, with in-house designed dresses, tunics, tanks and tees in oh so many bright, saturated colors. Like fuchsia, people. Fuchsia! Like any good boutique, they also have fun jewelry, accessories, and lots more.
Smak Parlour
219 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 625-4551
www.smakparlour.com
