Students in the Introduction to Fashion Design class took a field trip April 2 to four boutique shops in Center City to learn about the businesses.
"We visited stores with a wide range of prices and diverse apparel categories," said Richard Killeaney, visiting professor in Fashion Design.
"The focus was on products offered, store decor and merchandising, as well as the types of customers they served. Many of the people in the stores offered interesting business details and personal stories."
The four businesses were Hope Chest, which offers hard-to-find underwear and custom bra fittings; Joan Shepp, which provides luxury, avante-garde womenswear and European footwear; Ellelauri by Liz Rymar, which has moderate womenswear; and Commonwealth Proper, which has bespoke and ready-to-wear mens suiting and Italian knitwear.
The four businesses are either locally Philadelphia owned or are Pennsylvania-owned businesses. Three of the four are women-owned businesses. Two are owned by women under the age of 40.
