Designer to Watch: D'AGOSTINO Fashion Textile Design

D'Agostino Fashion Textile Design was founded by Philadelphia-based designer Melissa D'Agostino. Her mission, to create effortless, sophisticated silhouettes for unique individuals, comes to life through her beautiful, handcrafted designs. Melissa incorporates both traditional Shibori hand-dyeing and locally sourced sustainable materials into her garments to produce one-of-a-kind pieces. Inspired by Philadelphia and the idea of season-less looks, D'Agostino Fashion Textile Designs' latest creations feature a 'black and bone' palette that can all be worn in concert and transition perfectly from career to celebration. As a featured designer in the upcoming DesignPhiladelphia fashion show, I decided to interview Melissa to find out more about her creations and her love of Philadelphia:

Arcadia Boutique: What got you interested in sustainable fashion?

D'Agostino Fashion Textile Design: Learning about alternative architecture and sustainable ways of living over the years has provided a background of experiences that inspired my values. These values have been furthered by contact with the local community here in Philadelphia supportive of related ideals. There is something truly special about the words, "Made in Philadelphia".

Arcadia Boutique: What are some of the perks to being a Philadelphia-based designer?

D'Agostino Fashion Textile Design: Being a Designer In Residence in the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator Program! It is an amazing learning opportunity for local designers to focus on their business. I am so excited it will continue to be an opportunity for so many more designers in the coming years. There are also so many extremely talented people to work with in this city. Having the chance to collaborate with Arcadia and BusStop and work directly with Mechelle LaVelle on different photo and video shoots is always a perk!

Arcadia Boutique: What is 'traditional Shibori dyeing' and why does it make your designs unique?

D'Agostino Fashion Textile Design: The word "shibori" means "thin line" and refers to the "resist dye method" where one can intricately create a pattern by hand. I have been practicing this time-honored technique for over ten years, and love it for it's specificity, wonder, and unlimited potential. Each of the textiles featured in my collection showcase this hand-made technique, with patterns ranging from sophisticated stripes to subtle waves of print that accent and wrap the figure.

You can see more of D'Agostino Fashion Textile Designs' products at their website http://melissadagostino.com/index.shtml, and look out for Melissa and her latest creations at the DesignPhiladelphia fashion show on October 10th! http://www.facebook.com/events/410760185655756/

xo Alex

Designer to Watch: CherylAna

CherylAna organic atelier was founded by Philadelphia-born designer Cheryl Washington. Inspired by her mothers sewing as well as all things pure and natural, CherylAna designs exude beauty, style, and simplicity while keeping true to her holistic lifestyle. Cheryl's garments feature natural sustainable organic fibers, including silk wool, cotton, and hemp, and are made 100% in the USA. In an effort to find out more about the designer, I asked her a few questions about her current inspirations and about her upcoming debut in the DesignPhiladelphia fashion show:

Arcadia Boutique: What inspired your latest designs?

CherylAna: This collection - uncomplicated, modern, and upbeat - is for women who prefer not to think too hard about getting dressed but still want to look sexy, modern, and chic. CherylAna organic atelier brand designs, for the most part, knitwear and hand-loomed sweaters, because they move and give naturally with your body, and with natural fibers only, because they breathe just as your skin does. We like to refer to our brand as 'Feng Shui for the personal temple'.

Arcadia Boutique: What can we look forward to seeing in your pieces for the DesignPhiladelphia fashion show?

CherylAna: Our fall/winter 2012 collection is day-to-evening sport wear for the mindful, modern woman. Staying true to the holistic design process, the fabrics are a mix of organic wool, peace silk, and a hemp and organic cotton blend.

You can see more of CherylAna's products at her website http://www.cherylana.com/, and look forward to seeing her latest designs at the DesignPhiladelphia fashion show on October 10th! http://www.facebook.com/events/410760185655756/

xo Alex

Happy Thursday! New in store!

Thursday is always may favorite day of the week.  It's almost the weekend, and we've accumulated a lot of new arrivals at the store!  Peek what came in this week, and don't forget to stop by this weekend to see it all in person!

C661 12 SS

iosselliani $328.00



Anemone Shorts

Feral Childe $159.00




Canoe Crop Jacket

Kelly Lane $118.00



Care Package Dress

Kelly Lane $198.00

Shoal Shift

Feral Childe $188.00

Bess Tunic - Peacock or Black!

Popomomo $88.00



Constanza Romper

Dolce Vita $118.00



A698 12 SS

iosselliani $312.00

A 701 12 SS

iosselliani $348.00

Raschel Romper

Dolce Vita $110.00

Cheers!
Alex

Got the Blues

Today is one of those yucky, can't get out of bed kind of days. Perfect for a Prairie Underground hoodie! I'm wearing my Long Cloak Hoodie today (so cozy!) - get on the same page!

Long Cloak Hoodie

Prairie Underground $248.00

Cloak Hoodie - Peacock!

Prairie Underground $218.00

We've got 1 Guinevere Hoodie left in Nolibs! $238

Mid-Victorian Hoodie

Prairie Underground $238.00

Prairie Hoodie
Prairie Underground $238.

Cheers,
Alex

Mid-March Newness!

It's no secret that Curator is one of my favorite lines we carry at Arcadia.  So I was thrilled when we received our second spring shipment from the fabulous ladies in Cali.  Check out our new Curator arrivals, along with some other merchandise that arrived recently!

Pop Doyle Dress

Curator $84.00

Roan Dress

Curator $144.00

Mari Skirt

Curator $112.00

Olga Dress

Curator $146.00

Voula Blazer - White!

Rodebjer $318.00

Odessa Coat - Black!

Rodebjer $398.00

Lavas Top

Rodebjer $145.00

 Cheers!
Alex

Tried & True: Stewart + Brown

Behold part five of our series focusing on Arcadia's best selling lines.  Stewart + Brown launched in 2002 by partners Karen Stewart and Howard Brown and were pioneers for the sustainable fashion movement.  Inspired by nature and a respect for taking the bare minimum from the Earth, the extensive collection boats luxurious winter knits, super comfortable jersey lounge wear, and a plethora of dress styles for any occasion.  To top it all off, they also donate a potion of profits to non-governmental environmental and social welfare organizations.

The epic duo: Karen & Howard

We've got lots of great Stewart+Brown pieces in for this fall/winter season.  Try on the Waffle Coat Sweater, our best-selling Jordie Leggings and the coziest Cowl Tunic Sweatshirt! 

Cheers,
Alex

Tried & True: Curator by She-Bible

Part two of our Tried & True series featuring one of Arcadia's best selling lines, Curator by She-Bible.  A little about the duo behind the feminine collection, "Deirdre Nagayama and Stacy Rodgers are two gals who work hard and play hard so they design clothes for both. Best friends since their junior year of high school, She-bible emerged from years of laughing, loving, doodling and designing, not to mention a few fantastic mistakes and many lessons learned. It started in the kitchen with a hand-made screen printing press and has grown into a cut and sew label offering reliably sexy and comfy pieces perfect for kicking up dirt and kicking up your heels.

All goods are sewn and printed in San Francisco."  Did we mention they also try to incorporate organic cotton into their designs if possible?  Any way you look at it, Curator by She-Bible is a win-win collection! 

Gal pals Deidre & Stacy

Cheers, 
Alex

Tried & True: Prairie Underground

Arcadia's fourth birthday is coming up in September, and I figured it would be a great time to give everyone a little information about some of our favorite lines.  Each season we purchase religiously from certain brands that we love, and our customers love.  Here is part one of many posts about our best selling lines.

Prairie Underground is co-designed by Davora Lindner and Camilla Eckersley in Seattle, Washington.  Friends since high school, the two bonded over their unusual style of dress and love for thrift shops and recreating pre-loved garments.  From this, Prairie Underground was born.  Says the designers of the line's defining characteristics, "Prairie Underground’s clothes are architectural and contemporary, characterized by a body-conscious, structured slouchiness, allowing women of all body types to find a look that suits them".  Sustainability is also an important element of the Prairie Underground aesthetic, as nearly all pieces are created with 100% organic cotton, hemp, or other sustainable resources.

One of our best-sellers in this season's color, Pea Soup

Raincloak - A well though out update of the fabulous Prairie Long Cloak Hoodie

Cheers,
Alex