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With their playoff pushes, the Philadelphia Phillies have hogged late summer and early autumn since 2007. Fashion fans are seeking a share of the focus for their passion, and the City is listening.
Mayor Michael Nutter and style disciples launched The Philadelphia Collection 2011 Sept. 8 at a City Hall gathering detailing 75 events that began Monday and will continue through Sept. 24, with five local establishments aiming to accent the thrill of threads.
Six models, including Beth Baskett of the 1300 block of East Passyunk Avenue, glamorized the Mayor’s Reception Room with vibrant colors and constant smiles. Their late morning appearance gave the day’s three organizers cause to believe their initiative’s second year will top its predecessor.
“With all we have planned, now we know where we can go,” City Representative Melanie Johnson said of a difference between the two collections’ abilities to make fashion an unfailing economic boon.
Johnson’s office last year banded with the Philadelphia Retail Marketing Alliance and the Center City District to laud local retailers. The union earned significant secondary acclaim in December when Forbes Magazine placed Philadelphia in sixth-place among its 25 best cities for shopping. A placard bearing the ranking rested behind the four-female, two-male set of models, whose attire showcased subtle ways to turn heads and offered a retrospective of their field’s trends.
“When most people think fashion, they think glitz, glamour and fame, often overlooking the hard work, dedication and innovation that take place behind the scenes,” Johnson said. “As part of our overall mission in highlighting the city’s fashion economy, it’s our responsibility to bring forth an educational component where real stories can be told by real people who have lived fashion firsthand.”
The Philadelphia Collection contains a twist on the typical fashion collection, as it does not involve a particular line of clothing. Instead, the city’s version comprises boutiques, design schools, designers, fashion and design students, modeling agencies, retailers and stylists. They will reveal their skills with independent productions of fashion and trunk shows, lectures, movies and panel discussions.
Though rain necessitated a location change, Nutter paid tribute to the day’s intended spot at Fourth and Bainbridge streets.
“Fabric Row is the inspirational birthplace for much of Philadelphia’s independent fashion design history,” he said.
The 13-day celebration also earned his praise.
“The Philadelphia Collection represents the City of Philadelphia’s commitment to a thriving, innovative economy that will convey one message to entrepreneurs — Philadelphia is open for business,” he said.
The area will look to lure roving eyes and bulging wallets and purses through several new programs Nutter is hoping will prove “the vitality of our fashion community.” The first began after the unveiling and ended Monday night. The collection’s overseers received applications from men and women eager for complete makeovers and chose one gent and one gal for pampering.
Jimmy Contreras put into motion another novel idea during the announcement. A Center City resident, he has enjoyed eight years in the fashion industry, forging a reputation as a blogger and a style expert. The proprietor of the defunct JimmyStyle, 1820 E. Passyunk Ave., serves as a fashion and lifestyle publicist for Center City’s Matthew Vlahos Public Relations. PhillyStreetStyle, his online guide to the fashion world, debuted in December. Part of last year’s collection, he wanted this year’s to have a chance element.
He has that through the Random Acts of Fashion component. As a style spotter, he will join other bloggers in scouring the streets for fashionable individuals. The writers’ choices will receive a Philadelphia Collection shopping bag and will have their photo taken. They will receive instructions to visit the collection’s Facebook page to tag themselves in their photos, which will go on the blogs to spotlight the city’s fashion identity. Contreras picked the first two last week and was eager to uncover 98 more stylish citizens.
“So many different looks put fashion at the forefront of innovation,” he said. “Finding the best will be fun.”
Baskett used her lifelong attraction to fashion to make a morning memorable. She studied political science and communications at South Jersey-based Rowan University, graduating in May, but fashion occupies as much of her time as her new job at NBC and other pursuits will allow.
“I’ve always been interested in fashion,” the tall figure said after showing her enthusiasm for being draped in a dress from notable Italian designer Alberta Ferretti and for wearing shoes from Bus Stop Boutique, 750 S. Fourth St.
Interest morphed into involvement in March, when she began to find assignments through Center City’s Reinhard Model and Talent Agency. Her busy job schedule has kept her from accepting many gigs, but her few shoots have been aids in exposing her to talented colleagues all bent on lining stores and ultimately adorning bodies with quality garments. She will not be a part of the other festivities, so she maximized her lone commitment by posing for dozens of post-event photos and exuding gratitude for her opportunity.
“Today was great,” Baskett said. “I am really proud to have been selected to be in The Philadelphia Collection opening. The clothes are beautiful.”
Contreras, who that night traveled to New York City for its “Fashion’s Night Out” extravaganza, felt Philadelphia needs to be persistent in becoming a fashion force.
“I was involved last year and was eager to have this year be a triumph,” he said. “I am already thinking about next year’s.”
“We’re so excited to highlight everything fashion in the city and engage all members of the fashion community, from our talented designers that continue to inspire us to our fashion writers and bloggers and their everyday readers who love and appreciate style in all of its forms,” Michelle Shannon, vice president of marketing and communications for the Center City District, said.
Her turf dominates the slate of events, but South Philadelphia has a fashionable fivesome of experiences. Dumpster Divers Art Gallery, 604 South St., will host Jewelry Making with Repurposed Materials 5 to 8 p.m Saturday. The children’s event will cost $1 per piece. Ms. Tootsie’s Soul Food, 1314 South St., will present the Philadelphia Fashion Week Buyers and Accessories Opening Event 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 20.
Eye’s Gallery, 402 South St., will oversee an open house and fall fashion preview 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 21. The next day, Decades Vintage, 739 S. Fourth St., will offer an open house complete with vintage and retro pieces from 5 to 7 p.m. The PNK Elephant Accessory, 504 South St., will hold a dress consignment event 2 to 9 p.m. Sept. 24.
“Whether speaking on an expert panel, tasting a fashion-inspired cocktail or simply viewing a runway show from afar, The Philadelphia Collection has something to offer for everyone,” Shannon said.
For a full list of events, visit www.thephiladelphiacollection.org.
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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