I know that Philly has style — all you have to do is stop into one of our hundreds of independent boutiques — but I was really impressed with what local design students turned out for their end-of-the-year shows recently. Here’s a peek at our favorite looks. — Erica Beinlich

Students from Philadelphia University’s Fashion Design program showed off eco-couture designs on April 30th at the Academy of Music. The show also displayed children’s and menswear.

Our favorite looks:

1. Regina Amato’s plaid taffeta hoop skirt dress understandably won the most creative award.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2. Jessica Gardner was awarded Best of Show for her twisted silk gown detailed with organza.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Moore College of Art & Design Spring Fashion Show was travel-themed and held at the Sheraton Society Hill on May 18th.

Our favorite looks:

3. Senior Jakia Handy won Best of Show for a collection influenced by the abstract prints of Moore instructor Moe Brooker, like this pink top paired with a green pencil skirt.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. Senior Inanna Jessup literally translated the Blue and White theme with this navy and cream gown with stripes.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia’s Wanamaker building played host to Drexel’s 29th Annual Fashion Show on May 28th. Professional models strutted down the runway clothed in evening wear, men’s and women’s sportswear, children’s fashion, swimwear, and lingerie designed by Fashion Design students.

Our favorite looks:

5. This red-and-black-striped gown is a head-turner and helped graduate Denise Lacen win the Frank Agostino Award for Excellence in Design.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. The collection by senior Kim Reichard won the Most Saleable Senior Collection, and it’s easy to see why: This tan trench paired with a navy and white striped skirt is just as suited for a sidewalk as a runway.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Images courtesy of Philadelphia University and Moore College of Art and Design; Drexel images courtesy of David Gehosky

In celebration of Converse’s 100th birthday, we at Good Life would like to highlight some of our celebrated Philadelphicons who rock out these most iconic, trend-enduring kicks. — Luke Sirinides

Julius Erving
He spent the last ten of his fifteen-year basketball career playing for the 76ers. And always in his Chucks.

M.I.A.
Although this hottie funk/rap artist is Sri Lankan-born and London-raised, she did actually live here for a while. Local DJ Diplo mixed tracks on both of her albums.

Will Smith
Admittedly an often-referenced icon. “West Philadelphia born and raised”…and all that. Nevertheless, Will keeps it real in his chucks.

Benjamin Franklin
Were he’d born 200 years later, you know he would …

Tina Fey
Obviously this Philly goddess of comedy rocks Converse.

You
If you’d like to join the hip parade, Converse is unveiling their Century footwear collection, featuring throwback designs and re-vamped classics. Also, the company is teaming up with (PRODUCT) RED and The Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Help your fellow man and look good doing it. Now that’s cool, man.

I admit that I am a complete Jane-come-lately when it comes to the Phillies (not a baseball fan). But, of course, I can’t help being infected by pennant fever, mostly because I’m thrilled for all the people around here who do love the sport and our local team.

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Despite the fact that we’re in the midst of a sweltering heat wave, I spend about 90 percent of my day shivering, thanks to the ever-present blasting of AC that forces me to drag my normally reserved-for-fall sweaters out of hibernation. Each morning I have to stuff a cardigan into my already jam-packed bag to keep me warm during my frigid train rides to and from the city, and to throw on to prevent frostbite in our wintry office. Needless to say, I’m constantly in search of the perfect wrap to combat summer’s other foe: too-low thermostats in every single public place. (Argh.)

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Now’s just about the time of summer when I, for one, start to get lazy about applying sunblock. (Back in May, I was waking up a good 15 minutes earlier than usual so that my SPF would have time to set in before morning jogs.) But just in time for the onset of my SPF slacker-dom, I received a package of Supergoop, a new pediatrician and dermatologist approved SPF 30 formulated by Dallas Doc. A. Thaggard, that’s supposedly a big hit with celeb moms such as Angelina, Gwen, Reese and SJP.

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Last Christmas, a craze went around the offices here at Philly Mag. Girls were happily trotting back to their desks after lunch, armed with … boxes of monogrammed soaps. Seriously, we couldn’t get enough of them, and I’m still obsessed. I’ve gotten them for my mom, my future mother-in-law, and pretty much all of my friends. I give them as housewarming gifts, shower gifts — basically, if you’re expecting a present from me, odds are it’s going to be a fancy, satin-lined box filled with three pale-hued, deliciously smelling soaps, each carved with your scripted initials.

It may seem small, but it’s all about the little, seemingly insignificant touches — and these Solebury Soap Company bars add that carefree, “I put thought into everything, even the bars of soap in my powder room” quality that makes for true style. (Plus, now that I’m planning my own wedding, I hope everyone will return the favor. Hint: my monogram will be EJG.)

$24 for a set of three bars with single initial; $28 for a set of three bars with three-letter monogram, plus $7 shipping charge (by special order), Details, 103 South 18th St., 215-977-9559; detailsphiladelphia.com

It seems like forever that I’ve been asking coworkers and friends “Where did you get that [insert cute clothing item here]?” and hearing the
answer “H&M.” Maybe I’m completely fashion-dense, but it seems to me that the randomness and extensiveness of the retailer’s offerings make it more difficult to spot a dedicated H&M shopper than, say, an Ann Taylor or Gap devotee. In fact, it seems to me that the super-comfy, all-occasion H&M linen drawstring skirts in khaki and black (shown) that I’ve been living in for two months could be from either of those other chains … with one important difference. At H&M, I paid less than 10 bucks.

H&M, 1725 Walnut St., 215-563-2221; hm.com

As a former Boston Home editor, I like to keep an eye on what’s happening to the north … if only to make sure Philadelphia is winning the competition in urban cool (in the “city that’s not New York” category).

Score one point for us now that handwoven-rug designer Claudia Mills has left the Boston suburb of Jamaica Plain to relocate to our fair city. Mills, whose rugs have been mentioned in the Thursday House & Home section of the New York Times, is now weaving her colorful pieces — in 100 percent cotton or leather — in a West Philly studio. Mills’s endlessly customizable runners (don’t shy away from the bold colors!) come in perfect-for-a-hallway two-foot widths and start at $65 per square foot.

3828 Pearl Street, 215-386-2347; claudiamills.com.

My latest obsession? Trapeze-style, vintage-like dresses (and not just because they help camouflage my tummy, which, after my last obsession — Snickers ice cream bars — is not exactly skimpy-friendly). I’m a firm believer that, when it comes to clothes, purses, jewelry and silk scarves, vintage is almost always better. So when the stores started stocking their shelves with ’60s-esque shifts and Jackie O-would-totally-have-worn-this silhouettes, I felt as though the Fashion Gods had smiled down on me (the Bank Account Gods weren’t so thrilled). This silk frock by 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent flatters without being too clingy, and I’m planning on pairing it with my patent, round-toe pumps and opaque black tights for fall — after I rummage through my mom’s jewelry drawer for her huge, vintage black-crystal clip-on earrings.

12th Street by Cynthia Vincent silk trapeze dress, $184, South Moon Under, Philadelphia, 215-563-2298, southmoonunder.com