7 Buzzy New Philly Retail Arrivals to Have on Your Radar
From Zen Samad’s Fashion District boutique to a chakra-balancing treatment at the Four Seasons Spa.
One new destination for Philly shopping is Zen Samad’s Fashion District boutique Fason De Viv. Photograph courtesy Zen Samad
New Boutique: Fason De Viv
Zen Samad chats about her new Fashion District boutique, Fason De Viv
Philly Mag: What’s the name mean? ZS: It’s Haitian Creole for “lifestyle.” We carry mostly independent and minority-owned brands. PM: What kinds of things? ZS: Women’s and men’s apparel and home and beauty items. Our best-sellers are journals, cards, tees, and a scented shea butter from ACAF. PM: Why open a shop now? ZS: We were in Old City a few years ago, then went to online only. I love having a physical space — it gives our brand a voice.
New for Your Home: Playhaus Designs
Here’s one way to fun-up your home
Just after things shut down last spring, Fairmount’s Liz Santana (who founded a design firm) teamed up with pal Dara Frank (a marketing whiz) to open Playhaus Designs. The company creates and builds ball pits, slides, climbing walls and swings that you can install (or pay them to do it!) in bedrooms, great rooms and basements. Eat your heart out, Richie Rich.
New Self-Care Treatment: The Chakras Sensorial Journey
Say hello to the treatment you need right now
The Spa at Four Seasons Philadelphia (the only city spa with a Forbes five-star rating) has a new treatment to address all pandemic-related stresses — physical, emotional and cosmic. The Chakras Sensorial Journey ($250) combines massage, oils, targeted aromatherapy, singing bowls, chakra balancing and crystals. And hey, at the very least, you’ve tuned out the world for one glorious hour.
Box Bomber cardigan, $396 at wolhide.com.
New Way to Get Cozy: Wol Hide
Sustainable knits that feel as good as they look
The pandemic accelerated what had been a slow sartorial shift to constant comfort. Sweats are the new business casual, which makes sweaters semi-formal attire — and worth investing in. The knitwear at Wol Hide, an on-the-rise company founded by local Leah D’Ambrosio, delivers on all fronts: Her designs are subtle tweaks on timeless classics (boxy crops, voluminous arms); the soft yarns come from sustainable farms; the goods are made — mostly in Peru — in small family-run factories or hand-knit by women who work from home. “It’s always been a goal of mine to make beautiful clothes in a better way,” says D’Ambrosio. “People should be able to have both.”
New Accessories to Shop Now
Three standout items at three new area shops
Photograph courtesy Lady M Boutique
Dolce & Gabanna bag, $5,500 at Lady M Boutique, a fashion-forward Glen Mills destination.
Photograph courtesy Local PHL Market
Nuance Jewelry earrings, $89 at Local PHL Market, a Pine Street spot that sells only stuff made in Philly.
Photograph courtesy Joy Shop
Swedish Dream hand sanitizer, $7 at Joy Shop in Collingswood, a place full of happy gifts and doodads.
Published as “Market Report” in the January/February 2021 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
