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 20^th 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……