‘Art meets style meets culture’

Elissa Bloom, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator,  discussed the area’s initiatives to promote the fashion industry, once a thriving source of jobs for the region.   We talked about fashion as a mood lifter and a personal statement and our belief that fashion and dressing well will return as we venture out of the pandemic. 

We discussed Philadelphia’s place in the industry’s history, fabric and hosiery mills, hat and shirt manufacturers and the economic benefits of  fashion – Ms Bloom reminds us that for every designer there is a sewer, pattern cutter, stylist, make-up artist, photographer and event planner who benefits!    She explained the offerings of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator, where ’emerging designers learn to become more than designers, but well-rounded, successful creators,’  She described the intense mentoring, marketing and business planning help that the resident designers receive in the dedicated workrooms at Macy’s and learned about this year’s resident class, six designers working with statement, investment pieces that fill niche markets.  She spoke about the program’s designers – usually older, more established, and often on a second career path; designers already in business and ready to go to the next level.   Ms Bloom shared one of the few benefits of a virtual’ year, more designers, marketers and retailers were able to participate, and the virtual platform allowed other area fashion professionals the opportunity to join in.  The new Fashpreneurs program connects area designers weekly for networking, lectures and workshops to help them develop their businesses.

Finally, a look at the upcoming Art to Wear, 10th anniversary exhibition, retrospect and retail celebration August 2 through September 10 at InLiquid.

For more information go to philadelphiafashionincubator.com or Fashpreneur.com   Follow on Facebook @philadelphiafashionincubator and other social media at @Philaincubator