POSTED: Thursday, July 1, 2010, 4:29 PM
Neighborhood Watch looks for Philly's most fashionable. This week: Nyidera ventured only a few blocks north to Old City's shopping haven on Third Street, where she met some veterans in the fashion world, had some great convos and even treated herself to a pair of Topstitch Boutique's signature "fleather" earrings.
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| Nyidera Edwards |
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Casey B. (26) says riding her bike 24/7 usually keeps her on the tomboy end of the fashion spectrum. But today, the Center City girl let the estrogen flow freely in her Urban Outfitters floral dress. Casey chose the vintage-y piece because she likes breezy fabrics, bright colors and ruffles. "I like to be nice and summery.
I'm not a designer girl. I like to pick through secondhand and vintage," she says, hence the leather camel flats from
Buffalo Exchange. Casey praises the "classics," like icon
Jackie O., and "contemporary women in music" like
Karen O. of the
Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Some of her fave shops are
Anthropologie,
UO,
H&M and
Art Star (623 N. Second St., 215-238-1557). Casey's #1 Rule of Thumb: "It's important to be comfy. If you're not, you can't pull off any look." Wise words, Casey.
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| Nyidera Edwards |
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Jamie Coyle, co-designer of Old City's newest boutique
Carmelita Couture (17 N. 3rd St., 215-925-3207), is no stranger to bold and innovative fashion. She says, "We like a lot of one pieces, f
un, funky and comfortable." Her mantra is much like the daring, zebra-print romper she's photographed in (a boutique original). After working with Carmelita head designer (and namesake),
Carmelita Martell, the uptown girl says much of their pieces have been inspired by "art, femininity and comfort," noting key elements are "fun and color." Jamie notes some of her fashion icons are
John Galliano;
Coco Chanel's rival, the infamous
Elsa Schiaparelli; and the gone-but-not-forgotten
Alexander McQueen.
Topstitch Boutique's Tina M. (29) was draped in endless conversation pieces. The perfect combination of classic and distinctive, Tina created her a statement look by pairing a simple sheer oversized men's shirt with one-of-a-kind accessories. The wooden geometric necklace is a Topstitch original, she scored her leather utility vest as a gift from designer friend Collina Strada and her suede peep toes are by Jeffrey Campbell. Aside from her own store, the Fishtown native's other fave shop is Reward (55 N. 2nd St., 267-773-8675). "Reward fits my personality for clothing. The owner [Sheri Roulin] carries a lot of indie lines. She's willing to take risks with innovative designs," she says. Tina's her biggest inspirations are Susie Bubble, friends and Topstitch's designers. Lastly, she says, "People seem afraid to mix neutrals and they never mix metals and I don't know why. I like to do both."
