The Philadelphia Fashion Week (actually three days) - the Couture Show started with a huge bang and was filled with great energy and awesome couture designers. Fashion insiders and fashion enthusiast filled the fashion auditorium until there was standing room only eagerly anticipating what clothing they would love to pull off the racks! The well organized event took place at the Crane building which seems to be the headquarters for the Philadelphia Fashion Week each year.

“The Couture Show for Philadelphia Fashion Week was fantastic! Radiant colors, beautiful fabrics, and excellent execution of style! All things elegant yet fashion forward! Bravo to Cory Couture, Sherry Michelle, the Must Paris Collection of Lebanon and all of the other designers evolved! Wonderful show!" says celebrity stylist, Tish Thomas.

Take a look at the images below:

Sherry Michelle

Soft and elegant pales and nudes with soft satin fabrics inspired by the1920-30’s time in Paris.

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Philadelphia Fashion Week (actually three days) - The Ready to Wear Show started with a calm but exciting atmosphere filled with Philadelphia fashion insiders and fashion onlookers. The well organized event took place at the Crane building which seems to be the headquarters for the Philadelphia Fashion Week each year. Filled to capacity, the show featured clothing that could purchase prêt-à-porter or (off-the-rack).

Some of the highlights of the evening:

Street Mode

A Baby-Phat inspired clothing line with crop tops and high waists. A few pieces were cut with wide, exaggerated sleeves and baggy but chic body.

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Hey Fashionistas!

Wow, last  weekend there were so many places to go, and so many things to see during September in Philadelphia and yes, they were all fashion related! The Philadelphia Collection finally winded down last with the FBH Philadelphia Fashion Week Couture Show on Saturday night. I can tell you this:  It seemed that all of the elite of the fashion industry in Philadelphia was there to say farewell to Fashion Week for September.

(Photographer: Jim Cottingham)

Hey Fashionistas:

YHC attended the first and last day of "FBH Philly Fashion Week" and it was awesome!

Kevin Parker and Kerry Scott, the founders of the fun filled week of fashion in Philadelphia, together with their many sponsors, put together the well organized, fully packed, black tie event that was held at the Cheltenham Mall in Cheltenham, PA. The black tie affair was the opening affair for the three day event. The VIP event was also the day that the fashion honorees were given their awards for their work in the Philadelphia fashion industry.

Angela Edmunds, owner of Showroom 77 was honored that evening and she loked stunning in her Walish Gooshe dress. When I asked her how she felt about receiving her award, she stated, “Tweety, I was surprised by a limo from the "Ms. Tootsie's Family" that came to pick me up. When I got in the limo, the song “Moment 4 Life” by Nicki Minaj came on and that was exactly how I felt.”  Well, if you know Angela like I do, you would know that she deserved her award. She has always been a great supporter of YHC and all the up and coming designers in and out of Philadelphia.

Dr. Traci Lynn, founder of Traci Lynn Jewelry was also an honoree and unfortunately she was not able to attend but she is definitely deserving of an award being from Philadelphia and creating an accessory line that many women wear on a daily basis. I actually have a few pieces of Traci Lynn jewelry that I love to wear.

John Colabelli, Publisher of Philadelphia Style Magazine was also honored for his contribution to Philadelphia fashion. He said that he loves the fashion of Philadelphia and will always promote and those who are making a difference and impact on the fashion industry in Philadelphia.

I was pleased once again to be a VIP and walk the red carpet with the great fashion insiders. Check out some of the images from the event on Facebook. 

Oh yeah, shout to the DJ Hollywood who had the place popping all night.

 Want to learn more about FBH and Philadelphia Fashion Week, then visit www.philyfashionweek.org

Photo Credits: Jim Cottingham and Dscansphotography Savage

I am so excited Fashionistas because tonight is the night that the FBH Philadelphia Fashion Week begins its annual Fashion Shows! In its 5th running, the show has grown bigger and more exciting with each year giving honors to people that play a huge part in fashion in Philadelphia, donating to charities and displaying hot and trendy fashions by well-known celebrity designers and up and coming fashion hit makers. This year Angela Edmunds of Showroom 77 will be honored with her first fashion award as well as, Traci Lynn the founder of the fabulous Traci Lynn Jewelry, and Publisher of Philadelphia Style Magazine, John Colabelli.

What I am most excited about is that the young men that created the Philadelphia Fashion Week, Kerry Scott and Kevin Parker, are good friends of mines and we have a history that goes way back. I first met them when I tried out for a fashion show that they were having. According to Kerry, "I was just blown away with your natural beauty and your confidence." This was when I was thirteen, and needless to say I got the gig. Now that I am sixteen, they are still very supportive in my work. They gave me my first hosting gig when I hosted the Teen Fashion segment for Philadelphia Fashion Week in 2007.

Not only have they been supportive to me, but also to young women in Philadelphia who want to be models but do not have the skills or the know about the industry. For free, they would get young girls and men modeling opportunities that would have them working professionally; doing photo shoots for their portfolios and classes for acting. Many young people had this opportunity that kept them off the streets and doing something positive. That is to be appreciated.

I had the opportunity to chat with my old friend and Kevin Parker, and talk about the beginning of FBH (the talent agency) and the what the future holds for Philly Fashion Week.

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YHC: How did FBH begin?

Kevin: FBH started in 2006, with myself (Kevin Parker), and business partner, Kerry Scott, knowing that the Philadelphia Fashion scene was overlooked, and we felt no one was trying to change that mind set about us, so we stepped up to the plate.

YHC: Good for you!

YHC: Why do you think FBH was necessary?

Kevin: FBH is necessary because we are sick of seeing models being taken advantage of. FBH The Agency, was formed to provide exposure and quality training to assure a successful career without charging large amounts of money. We are for the model and that is what matters most.

YHC: How many models has been a part of FBH? Are any now famous?

Kevin: To date we have trained over 200 models. Some of our past, as well as present models are not yet famous, but are in the midst of some top designers, and on a clear road to Fame.

YHC: Who are some designers that you have worked with?

Kevin: We have worked with some amazing designers such as: Laquan Smith, Mike Sam, Cory Couture, Anthony Eastwick, Melani Von Alexandra and many more. We look forward to this season of amazing designers who for some, are showing their work for the first time in Philadelphia.

YHC: What are some of the services that FBH offers?

Kevin: FBH offers model training for runway, speech, acting, and print. We also offer services as event coordinators, PR, fashion styling, and consulting.

YHC: Tell us about FBH’s Philly Fashion Week.

Kevin: Well, FBH Philly Fashion Week is all about creating an event where people can connect and expand their brand, and models can get connected to expand there client base. A lot of models, designers and artist have gained and grew from connects they made at Philadelphia Fashion Week by FBH.

YHC: When did it begin?

Kevin: Fashion week began in 2007 and our very first venue was City Hall Court Yard.

YHC: Might I add that it was very classy!

YHC: Was it difficult to create such a big event?

Kevin: It was very difficult.

YHC: What was the most difficult task? How did you conquer that task?

Kevin: The hardest part was getting people to support us and guide us in the right direction. So many people turned their backs on us, except a few: Julie Wilch, Keiko Myrtice, Larry Allen, Trenton Deen just to name a few, and over the years, the team has grown and now we have developed the dream team.

YHC: What are your plans for this year?

Kevin: This year will be full of fashion for FBH! After the season 5 of FBH in February, we are back at it! Fashion Week will return in the fall along with the Philadelphia Collection 2011, and this event holds many major surprises!!!!

YHC: Tell us about February 24th- February 26th. Who are some of the guests?

Kevin: PFW has a long list of guest and attendees and press, such as Philadelphia Mag, Philadelphia Style Mag, Where Mag, PaperDoll.com, Philadelphia Weekly Style, and of course, our favorite blog Young, Hip and Chic!!!

YHC: What is your biggest expectation for the event?

Kevin: The wow factor!! I can say this season will be a full roster of wow factors, truly our best line-up yet!!!!

YHC: What do you want people to gain from the experience?

Kevin: I want people to gain whatever there expectations are and to be empowered.

YHC: What can we expect for 2012? Expect a bigger and better FBH!!!!

Want to experience it for yourself?

Then visit www.phillyfashionweek.org for more details and look for me to be there in the front rows! :)

There is nothing like meeting a down-to-earth fashionista that is professional and full of drive and class. All of the previous descriptions can be found in Miss Angela Edmunds, owner of Showroom77, in Philadelphia, PA.

I first met Angela at her boutique for a fashion meet and greet and I had an awesome time. After I had shot a few scenes and featured the event on my show, Angela was so impressed with my work that she offered me some space to be creative hence Showroom77 became the fashion location for so many of my YHC fashion webisodes.

Showroom77 is Philadelphia's first whole sale/retail multi clothing and accessory label showroom. Showroom77 is composed of three departments fashion, styling, and special events. A lot of great clothing has been featured there which includes: Nic*Fish, Letau Designs, Blaque Linen, Bernard Buie, Chinoo Designs, Armstrong & Wilson, Shavonne DeAnn, Blove, LaGhost, and Walish Gooshe to name a few.

Just recently, Ms. Edmunds opened the first pop boutique of its sort on The Avenue of the Arts, which is a very hot and trendy place that puts you in mind of New York City’s Broadways. Angela says that it was an amazing journey. The boutique was started from scratch in four weeks, and featured a total of 22 designers and affiliate boutiques.

I had the chance to chat with Angela about the transformation from student to fashion stylist and entrepreneur and how she has so much more to offer… And guess what? She was excited to talk to YHC about it!

YHC: When did you realize your love for fashion?

It's funny; my mom always says I started at age 5 looking at Ebony Magazines and doing costume changes at family functions. I really fell in love with fashion at age 14. That’s when I started designing.

YHC: What are some of the things that you did to begin your career?

I started with creating a fashion label and building and promoting a signature model team—this was the key to branding the company. Over the years I put my line on the back burner to help other designers which built a network to create the showroom.

YHC: What were some of the obstacles that you encountered when beginning your fashion career?

In the beginning there was a lot of work to build the brand and a lot of learning as you go along.

YHC: What are your titles on the fashion industry?

Wow I don't really have just one lol… I began as a fashion designer and expanded to stylist and owner of a fashion company.

YHC: How was your transfer from student to entrepreneur?

I began my company Sarai Style which is the parent company to Showroom77 while in college back in 1999. My degree is in Journalism so a lot of my journey to now in fashion was self-taught, and influenced by mentors like designers Lamar Johnson and Shawn Pickney.

YHC: What does a person need to be successful in the business?

You need passion, drive, patience, and professionalism. You need to love what you do, have the drive to work through all the ups and downs, have the patience to know that to truly be successful it will take time, and having pride in professionalism is key.

YHC: Why did you close Boutique77 after 3 months?

Boutique77 was designed as a pop up boutique for the holiday shopping season, so it was open October to December. Retail sales drop after the holidays so it was a perfect time to try it. I am now working on plans to pop it back up in the spring.

YHC: What celebrity would you like to work with in fashion and why?

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Maxwell and Melanie Fiona they both have such a great spirit and style.

YHC: What have you been some of your fashion pet peeves?

I am annoyed at panty lines, toes hanging over the end of shoes, and wearing clothes that are 2 sizes or more too small for the figure.

YHC: What can young women do to fix them?

Wearing undergarments that are seamless or thongs with the right garment will eliminate the lines. For shoes with a high wedge or heel you can try half a size larger to allow room at end because the foot automatically is being pushed forward. Smaller sizes on larger frames will make you look larger, but finding the right cut and fit will highlight the best assets.

YHC: What five things should every fashionista have in her closet?

Skinny jeans, great pair of boots, a unique hat, a little black dress, and a black wide belt it can be a nice finishing touch to so many outfits

YHC: What are five things in your bag that you never leave home without?

My cell phone, lip gloss, comb, business cards, atm card!

YHC: What would you rather?

Strap or Clutch? Clutch

Lipstick or Lip-gloss? Lip gloss

Strapless or Backless? Backless

Long hair or short hair? Long

Handmade or made in China? Handmade

Heels or flats? Heels

Chandler earrings or studs? Studs

Cocktail or Evening Gowns? Evening Gowns

Want to visit Showroom77?

Visit: www.showroom77.net to find out how to get an appointment!

Hey Everyone:

First and foremost, we would like to thank you for continuously watching the show that is making a difference in the world of young fashionistas. With your support, we strive to make the show stronger!

Well, the holidays are coming are you ready? Well, if you answered no, don’t fear because we bring you the segment Cheap but Chic which will help you find some of the greatest gifts for less than 20 bucks! That’s right—you can still get that special gift for your loved ones (or yourself) during a recession!

Also, check out Fashion Facts which will give you info on cocktail dresses.

You’re gonna love the Hot, Hot and Not, Not! of Holiday Fashion with my friend Angela Edmunds. She is the go-to person for what to wear that will make you look great at the holiday parties!

Other goodies are: Getting to Know with Ms. Takedda, Behind the Scenes with Nicole Brewer of Style Watch on the CW Philly Wake Up News, and the forever crazy Gag Reel.

We hope that you enjoy the show and look forward to your comments, questions and input. Send all your comments, questions and input, to: YHCfeedback@gmail.com

Attention: We are always looking for designers who would like to share their art with the YHC audience. We are also looking for artists that can bring something to the table that relates to fashion (interior décor, paintings, poetry, music, etc). If you are interested email: YHCFashionistas@gmail.com

We are also looking to feature breakout models, wardrobe and hair stylists, MUA’s, etc. Check out the blog YHC Blogspot and send an email to: YHCStylistas@gmail.com

Finally, we want to thank all of our sponsors: Neshee Publication, 4 Sisters Catering, Cooking with Pooka, Showroom 77, Cyndi Lane Makeup, and Iconz Models!

If you are interested in sponsorship, view the package here: YHC Sponsorship Package

Talk to you soon.

Fashionably Out,
YHC Staff

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