Shopping Spree

Fashion > Forward

by Julia West

The Philadelphia Collection 2010

Style prophets, rejoice: The Center City District has helped organize this week's Philadelphia Collection 2010 (thephiladelphiacollection.org), a 10-day, 70-plus-event celebration that puts the spotlight on local designers and shop owners. For the fashion faithful, these are some seriously righteous threads.

Shopping With An Objective

Kim Balaschak will conduct a workshop to help shoppers be smart, savvy and conscious of what goes in and out of the closet. Learn all about the MACK system: mend/alter, consign or keep. Now you'll have no excuse for holding on to that too-big-in-the-boobies granny dress. Thu., Sept. 23, 6 p.m., free, Second Time Around, 1728 Chestnut St., 215-988-9903, secondtimearound.net.

1600 Below Vintage Open House

Feel frilly while browsing 1600 Below Vintage's ber-cute vintage clothing, jewelry and furniture at this open house, one of several taking place at boutiques throughout the city. Scoop up complimentary cupcakes and Prosecco, too. Mahvelous. Sat., Sept. 25, 5-9 p.m., free, 1600 Below Vintage, 1600 E. Passyunk Ave., 267-974-8801.

Taking the Streets

If you're not burned out on the entire city telling you what's "in" this fall, then finish this week of style mayhem with a blow-out party. Celebrate the official ribbon-cutting of Fashion Lab, designer Ron Wilch's learning space that teaches low-income students about the fashion industry. And it wouldn't be a party without a fashion show, DJs and Mayor Michael Nutter (pictured). That's right: M-Nutt cares about duds, too. Sat., Oct. 2, noon-9 p.m., free, Fashion Lab, 6143 Germantown Ave., 215-621-6783, phillylab.com.

(julia.west@citypaper.net)