The borough of Brooklyn has become a certain stereotype as of late. If there was a hipster capital of the world it would be the BK, with Williamsburg as its focal point and the brand Brooklyn Industries does nothing to dispel that idea. That being said their new store, only the third outside of New York, is a beautifully designed haven for anyone who needs comfort, style, and durability.
Their clothes are hip but not in a trendy way. That sort of style without being obnoxiously stylish is at the heart of this company. They started making messenger bags out of out billboards and quickly grew into men’s and women’s wear. “The product was more like an art project,” said CEO Lexy Funk. The company refers to its productions as “upcycling”. “Recycling is about taking something and changing it materiality,” said Funk. “What we do is we take something and make it into art while keeping its materiality the same.” This idea even goes as far as the walls in the store, they’re made of shipping crates from their New York warehouse.
Brooklyn Industries also has stores in Portland and Chicago so their move to Philadelphia makes absolute sense. We all know that our city has a thriving music and art scene and that is exactly what BKI hopes to access. “Philly has this really interesting art culture and we’re constantly interested in music and art,” said Funk.
Their collection in the store consists of easy to wear basics with an urban edge. Some highlights include a heavy gray jersey motorcycle jacket, like the sweatshirt equivalent to the biker jacket. Also, their spring dresses in varying prints and denim were especially strong. For men they have a surplus of graphic tees and jeans. But their accessories are what give Brooklyn Industries its signature. From the canvas messenger bags to the canvas-coated purses, they have a fantastic selection of everyday bags.
All in all we’re ecstatic Brooklyn Industries has made it down the Turnpike and on to Walnut Street. It’s the perfect stop for comfort and style without all the bells and whistles.
Brooklyn Industries is located at 1525 Walnut Street, check out www.brooklynindustries.com for more info. Photos by Tate Obayahi.
