Philadelphia's own Fashion Week catching hold

Fashionably speaking, Philadelphia is where it's at this week. As New York Fashion Week ended, top fashion editors came to town, celebrity stylists have popped in, and designers are debuting their spring collections here.

Organizers of the Philadelphia Collection: Own It, the city-sponsored fashion extravaganza featuring runway shows, industry seminars, and, of course, cocktails, must be pleased.

After years of trying to get the attention of people in the fashion know to open stylish businesses here, the industry's elite are finally starting to take notice.

Highlights of this year's Philadelphia Collection include visits from Essence beauty editor Mikki Taylor and couture women's wear designer B Michael.

On Thursday, the celebrity stylist Carson Kressley of Queer Eye fame will attend a Philadelphia Collection party.

The week left an impression on editors from Big Apple fashion mags Harper's Bazaar, Zinc, Ebony, and Lucky as well as five fashion writers from the United Kingdom, who got a taste of Philadelphia's premier shopping and fashion events.

"There is a wide array of amazing fashion talent in Philadelphia," said Lisa Luna, an editor at Harper's Bazaar. "I will definitely put this event on my calendar and come back on the weekends to do much-needed shopping."

"I heard that Philadelphia shopping was good," agreed Bobby Schuessler, contributing editor at Lucky magazine, "but I had no idea it was this good." Schuessler bought a striped sweater from Kembrel and also raved about Boyds, Joan Shepp, and Town Home.

"I could spend all day browsing the expertly curated boutiques on North Third Street," Schuessler added.

The Philadelphia Collection has proved to be more than just a way for the city to raise its fashion credibility. The organization, led by Michelle Shannon of the Center City District and Melanie Johnson of the mayor's office, have united a once-disparate and racially segregated fashion community, galvanizing it under one stylish umbrella.

On Wednesday night, the city's 19-year-old runway fete, Phasion Phest, will take over the Shops of Liberty Place. Rittenhouse Row retailers will hold their annual cocktail party and runway show at the Comcast Center.

On Thursday, FBH the Agency, founded by young African American businessmen Kerry Scott and Kevin Parker, will kick off its weekend of Philadelphia Fashion Week runway shows with a black-tie affair at Commerce Square. More than a dozen designers will be showing their spring 2013 collections.

The Philadelphia Collection has helped the city finally create the much-needed fashion synergy among retailers, shoppers, designers, and design schools, including longtime textile giant Philadelphia University and newcomer Immaculata.

The collection has evolved simultaneously with fashion. The industry still revolves around fall and spring runway shows in New York, London, Paris, and Milan, but the clothing looks and feels as if it can be worn in every season.

The biggest change is that fashion, like food, is becoming more locally driven. Emerging designers are coming together in their home towns - like Philadelphia - to create co-ops to sell their wares. Many are trying to work together to find opportunities to manufacture clothing locally, as overseas sewing isn't just getting more expensive, but also is linked to high unemployment rates and is becoming viewed as un-American.

The Philadelphia Collection is helping create a smaller stage - one outside of New York, but just as important. It's especially crucial for emerging labels like Bela Shehu's Nino Brand and Nicole Haddad's Lobo Mau, which are getting picked up in boutiques here and in other cities.

The New York-based designer Ouigi Theodore, creative director of Brooklyn Circus, debuted his spring 2013 menswear line here last week, the day after New York Fashion Week ended. That's a big deal in a style world that thrives on being New York-centric.

"Philly has really helped us get our name out there," Theodore said. "We hope to come back every year and introduce our collection here in Philadelphia."

The Philadelphia Collection was created three years ago as part of a plan to persuade high-end retailers who want to move to the region to choose Center City over, say, King of Prussia. The first year, there were just 50 events. This year, that number has doubled. The majority of the events are free and open to the public.

This year, about $90,000 was spent on marketing, advertising, and other expenses. About $50,000 was raised in kind from a dozen sponsors.

Philadelphia hasn't won all the bids - Top Shop, a popular British shopping haunt and fave of Kate Middleton, opened a small boutique at the King of Prussia Nordstrom - but Center City's fashion wins are starting to add up.

In the spring, Philadelphia was named by Forbes as one of the best U.S. cities to shop. In January, Lucky named Philadelphia No. 14 among its 25 best cities for shopping.

More evidence of Philadelphia's rise is the new retail in the Rittenhouse Square area.

On Tuesday, Anne Klein opened a flagship store on Walnut Street. And Wednesday, specialty lingerie boutique Hope Chest will host a soft opening on Chestnut Street.

On Friday, contemporary designer haunt Intermix will open at 18th and Chestnut in the old Knit Wit space. There are also rumblings that Uniqlo, the preppier Japanese H&M, will be coming, too.

Said Stefani Greenfield, chief creative officer of New York-based Anne Klein: "The city is increasingly emerging as a great lifestyle destination."

The TPC effect at work.

For a schedule of events, go to www.thephiladelphiacollection.org.