Photo courtesy of Jodi Arnold

Lakskmi Hair Studio will be hosting New York-Based designer Jodi Arnold’s pop-up shop titled ‘Shared Discovery’ tomorrow, March 5. The Spring 2010 collection will be on sale with 25% of sales going to Doctors Without Borders. Arnold’s designs are feminine with a modern twist. The dresses come in a variety of exclusive prints and textures. The designer is known for her artistic collaborations and her exceptional designs have never been available in Philly until now. In addition to a wothy cause, shoppers can enjoy a 20% discount on the unique pieces.  Friday’s event will also feature tapas by Bar Ferdinand and Finlandia Cocktails. Feel-good fashion and fundraising, what could be better?

What: ‘Shared Discovery’

Where: Lakshmi Hair Studio. 21 N. 2nd Street.

When: Friday March 5, 8-11 P.M.

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.

Skipping the chocolates and roses this year, the Fashion team at Elitist Magazine spent their Valentine’s Day at the Love.Fashion.Murder runway show held at the Top Hat in Old City.

Love.Fashion.Murder was established in 2009 by Rene Quick and Jason Hallman with the idea of creating themed shows to shine some light on uprising talent in Philadelphia. Combining music, fashion, media and performing art, this brilliant duo puts on unforgettable shows.

The Valentine’s Day themed runway show featured pieces from Topstitch Boutique, Smak Palour, Emily Geddes’ EmmaLuv Collection, Vagabond and Of Corset Fits in the first half of the show.

TopStitch's tribal corset and skirt

While the models were changing into their second looks we were entertained by break dancers who put on a show for us at the end of the runway.

The second half of the show was stolen by the creative pieces by Reneé Masoomian. Using unorthodox materials like latex and plastics, Masoomian showed unique lingerie including a floor length dress, black latex jackets accented with red ruffles and daring nearly backless latex tops faceted with silver buckles.

Renee Masoomian's designs

During the grand finale the girls in Masoomian and male models in dress pants, button up shirt and suspenders walked the runway hand-in-hand complete with their blood and gore makeup by Aaron Morin. At the end of the runway each couple put on a short show of how the girls murdered their lovers.

The model’s hair done by Jason Hallman and Rene Quick was edgy yet sophisticated using an array of pinks and pastel blues and a ton of teasing. The look was Marie Antoinette in the 40s meets Sweeney Todd. Aaron Morin’s makeup job was the ying to Hallman and Quick’s yang as he made the girls look soft and flawless, yet still fierce using dramatic red lips, pastel eye color and loads of blush and drastic green eye makeup on others. Morin’s blood and gore makeup on the break dancers and in the finale tied the show together nicely for a dramatic Valentine’s Day murder vibe.

The custom corsets, a particular high waisted semi-elastic beige pencil skirt and black halter finished with mesh back and chain elements by Topstitch were our favorites, as well as Masoomian’s floor length dress. Throughout the show however, there was poor lighting on the runway and the break dancer’s show caused a cluster of spectators making it hard to enjoy completely. Because of the phenomenal turnout seating was an issue during the show, but even in such a tight venue no piece was missed by any pair of eyes.

Photos by Sean Semidey