The Philadelphia Fashion Incubator recently celebrated the opening of a new space in Fabric Row, writes Rosemary Feitelberg for the Women’s Wear Daily.

According to the PHI executive director Elissa Bloom, the new location is historically significant as it has long been linked to textiles and garment-related businesses. In the late 1800s, pushcarts were used to sell textiles and other products in Fabric Row.

The new retail outpost features a 1,000-square-foot space that showcases the designs of current and previous PFI participants. Fifteen current and alumni brands will be represented in total.

To drum up interest and conduct market research, several community events are already in the works.

“We’re really focused on having brands that are focused on solving problems in the marketplace,” said Bloom. “Last year we had a men’s underwear brand called Easy Access Underwear that made underwear with a magnetic flap near the crotch area that was for men with mobility challenges or recovering from prostate cancer.”

Namely, PFI is planning the inaugural FashConPhilly, a fashion event in November that will feature panel discussions about subjects such as fashion law and technology in relation to fashion entrepreneurship.

The PFI first opened its doors in 2012 and more than 60 people have cycled through since.

Read more about the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator and its participants in Women’s Wear Daily.

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