Philadelphia Fashion Incubator: meet the 5 designers in program’s second class

As the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator‘s second class wraps up the first half of its one-year residency, the designers from the inaugural class are making their mark, Philadelphia Weekly reported.

Shoppers can find designs by Autumn Kieplongert, one designer from last year’s incubator class, at boutiques in New York City and L.A., including one frequented by celebrities. Another label, Aso Damisi, was featured during Miami Fashion Week and will soon be sold at Philly’s high-end shop Joan Shepp.

Similar to other incubators, the Fashion Incubator pairs its participants with mentors and runs an intensive bootcamp-like program to get designers up and running. Housed at Macy’s Center City, the incubator is dedicated to promoting local talent: it designates one spot each for alumni of Drexel, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia University and two “wild cards,” designers who did not graduate from those specific schools.

The Philadelphia Fashion Incubator is a nonprofit effort between Center City District, the City of Philadelphia and Macy’s.

Read more in Philadelphia Weekly.

Below, the five labels that are participating in the current class.

• Melissa Choi & Pia Panaligan of Senpai + Kohai
• Trisha Williams of Trisha Will
• Leah Delfiner of Pretty Pretty Rebel
• Devin Pauley of Morgia Bridal
• Annina King of Granate Pret