Philadelphia Celebrates The Best Of Fashion And Style With The Return Of The Philadelphia Collection And The Debut Of Fashion's Night Out

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- One-of-a-kind couture peplums, leather detail, slim-fit Windsor collars, and geometric prints will dress the storefronts of Philadelphia's most impressive retailers as the city celebrates the return of The Philadelphia Collection. Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced that the third annual weeklong series of fashion and style events will take over the city from Thursday, September 13 through Thursday, September 20, with Fashion's Night Out as the official "preview" event on September 6.   

Now in its fourth year, Fashion's Night Out, a one-night-only fashion extravaganza celebrated in more than 250 cities nationwide and more than 18 countries worldwide, will return to New York City on September 6, 2012. This year, Philadelphia will join the global celebration created to highlight fashion and support retail with exciting events including designer appearances, celebrity guests, fashion shows and musical performances.

"Philadelphia is a fashion and shopping destination with cutting edge, emerging design talent," said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. "This year, the city's engagement in the worldwide celebration of Fashion's Night Out reflects our strong commitment to supporting Philadelphia's fashion and the retail community."

Founded in 2010 by the City of Philadelphia, Center City District, and Philadelphia Retail Marketing Alliance, The Philadelphia Collection promotes the city and all aspects of its fashion economy, including its impressive "collection" of retailers, designers, modeling agencies, design schools, and more. Nearly 75 events, spanning from large-scale "featured" runway shows and fashion presentations to smaller events including trunk shows and expert panel discussions, invite consumers to shop and embrace fall fashion.

"Since the Collection's inception, the city's burgeoning fashion and design community has gained worldwide recognition as a top fashion and shopping destination," said City Representative Melanie Johnson, Co-Chair of The Philadelphia Collection. "New programs have emerged dedicated to the continued growth of fashion and design in our city, including The Philadelphia Fashion Incubator at Macy's Center City and exciting collaborations like designer co-op US*U.S. and Skai Blue Show, showcasing the city's ripe talent and booming creative economy."

The emergence of talented new designers, the opening of new retailers boasting some of the world's best fashion brands, and thriving independent shop owners with a passion for all things style strengthen the landscape of Philadelphia fashion and design. The Collection brings these creative community members together in a week where collaborative events leave consumers begging for more and intimate small-scale events leave shoppers satiated with fall 2012 must-haves.

"The Philadelphia Retail Marketing Alliance was created four years ago with a goal of spotlighting Philadelphia as a top shopping and retail destination in order to enhance the quality and quantity of the city's retail offerings," said Michelle Shannon, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Center City District, Co-Chair of The Philadelphia Collection. "The programs that the organization has helped to create, such as The Philadelphia Collection and the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator at Macy's Center City, have exceeded our expectations and the support from the local community — from universities and school partners to outstanding local businesses — has been incredible."  

In addition to the 75+ events, The Philadelphia Collection 2012 will host a series of expert panels to lead thought-provoking, fashion-themed discussions featuring fashion savvy, established panelists. Panel discussion topics will include The X Factor: Technology and Media in Fashion; Fashion Inc.: The Business of Fashion; and A Styled Life: Fashion Careers 101.

To further feed the appetites of style-hungry Philadelphians, Random Acts of Fashion will return for its second year. The series of social media-driven campaigns including "Ambush Makeovers" and "Remote Red Carpet" will encourage conversation of all things fashion on The Philadelphia Collection's online platforms prior to the kick-off of the Collection. "Ambush Makeovers" will ask the public to enter into a contest to be made over from head-to-toe in Fall 2012 fashion and beauty trends. "Remote Red Carpet" will entail random "pop-up" appearances of The Philadelphia Collection-branded step & repeat backdrops throughout the city. Passersby will snap photos in front of the backdrop and "tag" themselves on The Philadelphia Collection Facebook page.  Those who engage and participate online will automatically enter into a chance to win a Philadelphia Collection fashion and beauty swag bag.

Main sponsors and supporters of The Philadelphia Collection 2012 include, the City of Philadelphia, Center City District, Philadelphia Retail Marketing Alliance, Immaculata University, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, and Philadelphia Style Magazine. Additional support comes from Sofitel Philadelphia, Macy's Center City, Philadelphia Magazine, Independence Visitor's Center, Bradford Media Group, Temple University School of Journalism, FBH The Agency, Reinhard Model and Talent Agency, and Wilhelmina Models PA.   

To learn more about Random Acts of Fashion and for a complete list of events visit www.thephiladelphiacollection.org. Join the conversation on twitter @philacollection and facebook.com/thephiladelphiacollection #TPC2012.

About The Philadelphia Collection 2012

The Philadelphia Collection 2012 is a series of fashion and style events that will take place throughout the city from September 13 to the 20th. The fashion series is designed to promote the city and all aspects of its fashion economy, including its impressive "collection" of retailers, boutiques, stylists, designers, modeling agencies, design schools and fashion/design students. Events are independently produced by local producers and retailers and include fashion shows, trunk shows, lectures, movies, panel discussions by experts, and more. Founding partners are the City of Philadelphia, the Center City District, and the Philadelphia Retail Marketing Alliance (www.philadelphiaretail.com).  Visit www.thephiladelphiacollection.org to see the complete schedule of events. Join our conversation on Twitter @philacollection and facebook.com/thephiladelphiacollection #TPC2012.

SOURCE The Philadelphia Collection 2012