Local fashion designers showcase work

Many people in Philadelphia are wearing Philly Red in honor of the Phillies first playoff win, but for some that is not the fashion statement they are looking for. The inaugural Philadelphia Fashion Week begins tonight. Clothing designers will take over the 23rd Street Armory with boutiques and catwalks showing off the latest in homegrown pret-a-porter.

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Fashion week is a bit of a misnomer as the inaugural showcase for local and national designers lasts just three days. During that time seventeen designers will not only show their wares, but sell them. Unlike high-end fashion events in New York and Los Angeles, which cater to industry insiders, Philadelphia Fashion Week is intended to help retailers recover from the economic slump.

Co-director Michael Anderer runs a clothing store in Philadelphia. He says the focus will be on unique t-shirts, jeans, and ready-to-wear clothes.

Anderer: Fashion is for everybody, and although the average Philadelphia budget doesn't allow you to buy a lot of high-expensive lines like Gautier and Prada or even Marc Jacobs, I wanted to show there are cool emerging designers that are affordable.

Anderer says the designers will be joined by works from students designers.