Wasn’t it just yesterday that I was at the Bubble House and these two guys were live painting at some party I was at? Well, it must have been decades ago because since then, they’ve done so much. Launched a fashion line, got picked up by Urban Outfitters, showed at Berlin Fashion week….Joey & Brooks are some busy busy dudes and have accomplished a ton in just a few years. I have no idea how they get so much done, in such little time. Not only have they accomplished ALL of that, they’ve recently introduced me to my new love, Bert Lorenzo.
He is a man with a bit of a sophisticated but casual palette, complete with plaids and dark denim. He’s born from vintage gear that is then color treated in only the most vibrant choices and hand treated so each piece is unique, and has a personal feel. They’re so individual, it’s almost like you don’t chose Bert Lorenzo….he chooses you.
The Fresh Melt Water look (and way of life), for Fall is modeled by the one and only “badass bike dude” Ed “Wonka” LAforte. So, not only do the shirts look good….they apparently look good while riding your bike backwards, which I find myself doing more often then you would think. Fresh Melt Water is for the individual that’s not afraid to actually say something with their clothing. Each image says something, sometimes literally. The overall Fall concept is bound by the phrase “Enjoy Life.” How appropriate. Available NOW at the locations below.
Pics of the fall line and holiday season line after the jump
Join Pedestrian at their new digs, around the corner, from the old jawn at 526 S. 3rd Street. (Its a celebration (bitches) from 8 - 12 featuring giveaways all night from Eriffs, Fresh Melt Water, Reason and Mishka ( you get the mishka mixtape yet?). Its all ages and there are dj’s all night, or at least til midnight.
The first time I ever saw Tina was in college, she came into our figure drawing class (where we would mostly use charcoal to draw) and I remember thinking to myself…..”who is this girl wearing deisel jeans just to get charcoal all over them!” Is it not a wonder Tina found herself smack dab in the middle of the Philly fashion world?? Tina Nguyen, 27, a fellow Moore College of Art and Design alum, grew up, not too far away in Jersey, but has had her roots firmly planted in the Philadelphia fashion scene for quite some time. Soon after graduating from school she found herself working at Echo Chic. And that soon lead her down a path into being part of opening Topstitch Boutique, as their first ever employee. She is now curator, manger, and part of production complete with her own studio space, while finding the time to do freelance fashion styling, including two one five magazine’s first print issue.
Topstitch is nothing like any other boutique in Old City. The store is complete with Women’s, Men’s and Baby clothes, a gallery and a fashion design studio. As Tina reminisces on how she got into fashion design/styling, she explains, “well, most of the girls [in Philly] started from having no money, so you get stylish and the way you are from working with what you have…and getting creative.” Their clothes are all vintage or handmade, and all priced under $200, so they can aptly accommodate us who have to deal with a tighter, more form fitting budget. “The girl who shops here is definitely looking for something different that nobody else can find. [A girl] who is willing to take risks” with her fashion choices. They carry a ton of different local Philly designers, “we’ve got people from Ohio to Cali to London…it’s really more about supporting independent designers,” no matter where they’re based. Topstitch has as much of a focus on accessories as they do clothing and what girl doesn’t LOVE the little extras?! Nguyen explains, “we are so accessory heavy because all of us know that you can hook up a tee shirt in eight different ways with, y’know, the right accessories!”
So, on my visit to Topstitch I decided to put Tina to the test. If she was going to sell me on how important my necklace and shoe choices were, I was gonna need some hands on convincing. I picked out three different items from the shop and had her work her MAGIC!!! Check the pics after the jump.
Pedestrian, the one of a kind, Philly born, men’s boutique has appropriately, crossed the street. They are now located at 526 S. Third St. between Makos and S&J cigar shop. Their decor and layout has a completely different feel from the O.G., creating any man’s dream…complete with black walls, a lounge area with a flatscreen tv and a huge leather couch. Add some of the best streetwear that you can find in Philly and what man can resist? Rumor has it that a half pipe is in the works for the back alley area and a DJ booth for the front window……now if only they started selling womens clothes, and only played episodes of “America’s Next Top Model,” I think I’d never leave!!
Hey look its not a video! Next Saturday check out DunkXchange at Solo nightclub. Come buy, sell or trade kicks from 1 - 6 PM at Solo Nightclub, 520 N. Delaware Ave. This is an all ages event with DJ Aktive on the 1’s and 2’s and MC’s Scanz and Channel Live from Rawkus. Admission is $10, vendor tables are $100. Contact info is on the flyer above. Sponsors include Afficial, Exit, Fresh Melt Water and Pedestrian.
So we’ve mentioned Fresh Melt Water a few times on here before, most recently in the Blaqstarr - Shake it to the Ground video, and now their fall collection is out and it looks dope. By far, my favorite is the God Saves the Seeds design. Fresh Melt Water are composed of two designers who met in Philadelphia. FMW is completely founded, printed and designed by these two, no outside work, no outside printers, just FMW. Be sure to stop by Pedestrian (252 South Street) this weekend and if you pick up to FMW tees, you get a free 198Faux tee. Check their website at FreshMeltWater.com and pick up their full high res catalog here.
So this week, we have a lot on board. We are having a sale(30% on all sweatshirts and jackets) this weekend cause I’m going to a Fourmula One race in Indy, and why the hell not. We also got in some new Mighty Healthy, Fresh Melt Water, The Cut and OMMO. Also some dope parties going down, sure to be a great weekend …So here it goes…
First the fresh gear for the weekend…
Then we are also having a SALE…SAVE 30% ON ALL SWEATSHIRTS AND JACKETS…Sale starts at 12PM Friday and ends Sunday at 8PM…So Stop down a get a nice Hood or Jacket for one of these parties…
Friday Afternoon Fresh Melt Water Website Launch/Bobby Crooks Birthday Bash…Party starts Friday at 3PM (5th and Cecil B)…Free booze, give-aways, and food…This is gonna be the reason you cant make it out Friday night…But it’s okay cause Bo Bliz and Emynd are killin the Mroom(15 W. Girard)with a little jawn called ROLL CALL on Saturday Night
Have a good weekend kiddies, and if your open, check out the F1 race it should be on Speed Channel or NBC around 1PM on Sunday…The hum of the engines helps cure a hangover…Trust me, we been doing it for years…
