What To Do This Weekend
Good morning good morning good morning, hope no one is bathed in sweat this fine, non-90-degree-plus day. Clouds? I’ve never been so excited to see them.
Artist Rachel Bone learns her alphabet in her newest exhibit, I Bet You, at Art Star. Join the artist tonight to take a peek at her letter-themed paintings, where women are positioned in different actions–from high fives to swingsets–that also happen to form the entire alphabet. Join the artist tonight from 5-9pm with free beer and light refreshments.
Join Philadelphia-based Carmelita Couture at her First Friday trunk show with New York-based celebrity stylist Felipe G., who will be on hand doling out styling tips. Enjoy a free glass of bubbly and some sweets as you browse through her summer and fall collection.
Vox Populi Gallery in Center City will be hosting an opening reception for four different artists tonight: Jamie Dillon’s Pictures of Smoke, is, quite literally, an exhibit of artwork made of smoke, while Jonathan Prull’s Eastwood is Eighty focus on the artist’s fascination with Clint Eastwood. Other exhibits include David Contra’s Can You Survive the Insanity and Roxana Perez-Mendez’s Paradise.
Space 1026 will be showing the exhibit Yesterday is Tomorrow, a group show featuring work from John Garrett Slaby, Tobias White and Craig Hein. The show features a variety of works in different mediums, including paintings and sculptures, that have been pulled from pop culture and childhood references.
As usual, the first Saturday of the month plays host to the Wardrobe Boutique’s Clothing Swap. From 12-2pm, attendees are welcome to bring clothing size 0-10 (plus size swaps are held later in the month.) Bring at least five items and swtich ‘em for five new ones for an instant fall style update.
Have a good weekend everyone!
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I swear I did not put him there…
I walked into the living room and found Old Man exactly like this. Caught in the act! Unbelievable how amazing this guy is....
7 Days of Fall Boots
It’s September which means, contrary to the temperatures this week, it’s fall. It’s time to pack up your sandals and flip flops, pull out your socks and start covering your toes. One of my favorite parts of fall fashion are boots and this season’s offerings are as bountiful as ever. Below you’ll find a boot for every day of the week. Think of it as a my friendly attempt at easing you into a fall frame of mind.
Boutique 9 Rivet Laceup Boots: because Monday can be a battle
Bass Nikki Boot: Tuesday, much like the saddle shoe, is worthy of reinvention
Frye Chelsea Riding Boots: Hump Day Schump Day, these go with practically anything, stop whining and get dressed
Stuart Weitzman Tall Clog Boots: The clog style should help with balance, even after one too many Thursday happy hour cocktails
Belle by Sigerson Morrison Grey Leather #6431 : Casual is boring, we voted in Friday thigh high day.
Sam Edelman Zoyla: Studs and leather are always work-appropriate on Saturday.
Minnetonka Side Lace Knee High Boot: Hangover appropriate and pairs well with Sunday brunch.
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Happy 90210 Day!
In honor of the occasion, here’s a clip from every season. You’re so welcome.
Season one, featuring an amazing guest appearance by Matthew Perry. And an even more amazing mock turtleneck on Mr. Brandon Walsh.
In season two, Brenda and Andrea took an acting class. It ended with an epic girl fight.
Everyone remembers the epic “Donna Martin graduates” episode in season three, but here’s a peek at what got her in trouble.
Only Brenda Walsh can make potatoes slutty.
Remember when that prude Andrea finally got laid? And then pregnant?!
In season six, Dylan married that chick from Starship Troopers. The marriage lasted about 30 seconds because she was shot in a drive-by arranged by her father.
SPECIAL BONUS SEASON SIX CLIP! Kelly on coke!
Kelly and Brandon are together for fortieth time in seven seasons. And she’s knocked up!
Brandon Walsh schools us on what you need to start a newspaper. Kelly, who somehow lost her memory, begins to regain it on the beach. Those wacky kids Donna and David lose a dog. Oh season eight. So close to end. But yet so far.
I admittedly have no idea what is going in this clip from season nine. (Did anyone watch at this point?) But look how fake-baked Tiffany-Amber Theissen is! Girl has got that Northeast Philly glow!
Shock of the century: 90210 ended with Donna and David gettin’ hitched.
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Lanvin goes all H&M
Click here to view the embedded video.
Big news for ladies who love a major label but haven’t stretched the limit of their credit card enough to pretend to afford the major price. Parisian house Lanvin will be joining the ranks of Jimmy Choo, Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld, Sonia Rykiel and Victor + Rolf as the newest H&M designer collaborator. As noted at the end of the above video, more info will be hitting the public streets on September 9 and the line goes live November 23 but until then, we can all only dream about the looks Alber Elbaz has up his sleeve for an H&M that’s “going luxury.”
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Super-Cheap Bathing Suits
Don’t pack up your summer stuff just yet. Now is the time to stock up on cheap light-weight clothing and bathing suits while they’re on sale at the end of the season. Here’s three great swimsuits on sale — so inexpensive you can treat yourself to two!
Victoria’s Secret (y’all know how I feel about Vicky’s bathing suits)
Suits are anywhere from 25 percent to 50 percent off, with some pieces as low as $9.99
Victoria's Secret, $11
J. Crew
Originally $84, this retro, peachy one-piece suit is marked down to less than $20.
J.Crew, $19.99
Old Navy
Admittedly, this is a cheaper-quality selection of bathing suits, but for less than $10, does it really matter?
Old Navy, mix and match pieces, $6.99-$10.99
Philadelphia Fashion Industry
Philadelphia Kicks Off First of Fall Fashion Events by Peter Crimmons (click to hear) featuring Sarah Van Aken
Philadelphia Fashion, these aren’t two words that historically have rolled off the tongue. At least, it isn’t what we have been known for. That is not to say that there isn’t a history of fashion industry here. Philadelphia was a hub of garment manufacturing until the later part of the 20th century when trade agreements and labor costs made outsourcing overseas a more economical and acceptable opportunity. Even that didn’t totally eliminate the industry here. After all, the City has cultivated powerhouses such as Urban Outfitters and its five retail brands and Destination Maternity. It is without question that longstanding retailers Joan Shepp and Knit Whit have influenced fashion business in the area as well and even now there remains some garment manufacturing (aside from our own) in the City. Yet, none of these things seem to define us or be capitalized upon.
It may have come to your attention over the last year that a lot of fashion events have been popping up. There are two completely independent Philadelphia Fashion Week events, the long standing Phashion Phest, and the recently announced Philadelphia Collection 2010 to name just a few. All of which are trying to generate buzz and define the fashion ‘scene’ of Philadelphia. In terms of timing, it couldn’t be better, I think all of us natives can safely say that we are successfully redefining our city’s image (and to acknowledge I say ‘we’, I don’t take credit, the great work done at the hands of the City of Philadelphia, GPTMC, CCD and all of the great independent businesses, but that is not the point I am trying to make). Celebrity Chef’s, affordable luxury housing, art, and attractive retail help with this. In my opinion the most important being that we have the largest park system of any city in the country, a large and growing commitment to sustainability, and that our housing market & economy have remained relatively stable even in the harsh economic times.
I acknowledge all of the efforts to promote ‘fashion’ here in the City and they certainly are the fun end of this business. But what if we took it one step beyond? Instead of just creating a collaboration of fashion marketing opportunities, what if we created a viable and sustainable local fashion industry?
The City, not just meaning the governing body of the City of Philadelphia, but the City as a whole; retailers, designers, wholesalers, suppliers, marketers, and governing bodies have a real opportunity on our hands. We have the City of Philadelphia on one hand who essentially will bend over backwards to create economic viability here in the local economy. I know this to be true as I was the beneficiary of several of their programs. We have the history of success in the industry and we have talent and resources to do it. We can create a fashion industry, not just a fashion scene. Think job creation, sustainable products and an asset to the vibrancy of our local economy.
And if you want to follow the “if you build it, they will come” philosophy, I think that this may be just the thing to try it out on. The garment district in New York is on the verge of extinction between loss of business overseas and the end of zoning restrictions. If we create the industry resources here, the changes in the economy and a growing concern for knowledge of product origination could 
create a very big opportunity for Philadelphia to capitalize upon.
I certainly acknowledge, it would take a lot of collaboration, incentives, political and financial backing but if we could create one solid apparel industry vision we may just be in a place to capitalize on this opportunity. Maybe it’s a little pie in the sky, but I think I know how it can work so stay tuned……
Franklin Mills Gets a Forever 21
This Saturday, the second-largest Forever 21 in the country opens in Franklin Mills, Philadelphia’s second-largest mall. (The biggest mall is, unsurprisingly, KOP and the biggest Forever 21 is, also not surprisingly, the massive store in Times Square.)
This store will feature their men’s line (21MEN), kids clothing (HTG81) and items for higher-end shoppers (Twelve by Twelve), though using the phrase “higher-end shoppers” in reference to anyone inside this trashy, Northeast Philly emporium is a little contradictory. But, hey, they’ve got a Neiman’s Last Call, so there must be a few folks not rocking Looney Tunes denim in the joint.
The first 200 people in the store for Saturday’s big unveiling at 10 a.m. will receive gift cards ranging from $10 to $210. The store is located near the JC Penney outlet in neighborhood 1 (read: the red section) putting it in prime competition with the huge, but constantly packed H&M outlet.
Please note that getting to Franklin Mills from Center City without a car is easily the most glaring example of SEPTA’s failure to connect Northeast Philadelphia to the rest of the city, so be sure to reserve your PhillyCarShare early.
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DJ AM Tribute Tee
Saturday marked the 1 year anniversary of DJ AM’s (Adam Goldstein) death. In honor of the Philly DJ, The Fast Life has put out this limited edition tee ($25). All proceeds will go toward the DJ AM Memorial Fund, which is dedicated to helping people who are struggling with addiction. Various fundraising events and tributes honoring the late DJ took place at venues across the country last week including the Trousdale and The Fast Life in LA, Surrender Nightclub in Las Vegas and Santos Party House in New York City.
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The Galleries at Moore Present Judith Leiber-Art of the Handbag
I recently visited the Smithsonian Institute and with my mom by my side, we ooh’ed and ahh’ed at the various first ladies’ inaugural gowns and accessories on display. Little did I know, most of the handbags we were admiring were by Judith Leiber. Starting with Mamie Eisenhower, many first ladies have carried a Judith Leiber handbag to their husband’s inaugurations. From September 11 through October 17th, 22 of Leiber’s handbags will be on display at the Graham Gallery of Moore College of Art & Design. Additionally, the college is honoring Leiber as a Visonary Woman Award recipient. The ceremony will take place Sept. 30.
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