Best of Philly: These Philadelphia-Made Goods Are Just Too Good

Best of Philly 2016 is now online as well as at newsstands. Check out the best in Philadelphia-made goods as well as the rest of the best in food, drink, shopping, beauty, health, fitness, fun and games.

We get it — really, we do. When you hear “artisan-made,” you just want to roll your eyes (similarly to when the words “farm-to-table” or “chick’n” cross your path). But we urge you to hold onto those eyeballs for just a minute longer while we convince you that Philly’s handmade scene is bigger, better and more refined than ever. From handcrafted kids shoes to African-inspired menswear, Philadelphia-made goods are stepping up to the plate. And to be clear, we don’t love these products because they’re made in Philly — we love them in their own right, and the Philly-made aspect is just an added bonus. Here’s the best of the small-batch bunch:

SHOES
The cutest footwear we’ve ever seen comes from Mason Dixon (pictured), a collection of kids’ booties and derby shoes from Fishtown’s Heather Holiday. Hand-cut leather laces, hand-sewn soles, whimsical color paintings,  and adorable styles make you wish she made them in adult sizes. (Wish granted: She finally does.)

DISHWARE
Port Richmond’s Felt + Fat is turning out ceramic plates, bowls, trays, cups and mugs that are pretty enough to be art, fancy enough to earn nods from Vogue, and cool enough to catch the eye of top chefs who use them at their restaurants; see them at Fork, Laurel, and High Street on Market.

HANDBAGS
In her Chadds Ford studio, Arden + James founder Bri Brant creates hand-painted raw linen totes, waxed-denim weekenders and leather carryalls. Every part of the process—from the hammered rivets to the etched designs—is done by hand, so no two are alike, but all are worth slinging over your arm.

KITCHEN GOODS
Lostine takes mundane tools—brooms, dustpans—and makes them deserving of prominent display. But it’s the East Falls company’s kitchen accessories that are the most eye-catching: sleek wood rolling pins, pepper mills, cutting boards, leather-handled trays and marble prep tables.

MENSWEAR
The suiting is hand-made to order, the textiles are custom-designed and inspired by splashy African prints, the silk scarves and squares are frame-worthy, and the University City-based company Ikiré Jones—the brainchild of a former attorney and an expert tailor—is soon to be a household name.

Published as “Best of Philly 2016” in the August issue of Philadelphia Magazine.

Join us in the heart of the city on August 4th for an evening of award-winning food, summer cocktails and dancing under the stars in celebration of the winners at the Best of Philly Soirée. Get details and ticket information here.