It wasn't a surprise to see Y-3 introduced into the fall season of Joan Shepp, who already carries lines from Rick Owen, Balenciaga, and Anne Valerie Hash just to name a few. Tokyo costumier, Yohji Yamamoto's aesthetic seemed to mesh right into the bustling collection. To make for easy browsing, Y-3 is featured as a standalone store inside the boutique, with the second floor exclusively carrying the line.
Yoko McCarthy, who runs the Y-3 store is determined to reap the benefits of Philadelphia's male fashion mavens and realizes that Joan Shepp has hit gold even with the unreliable economy. With shoppers still willing to make room for new pieces that tie in with their well defined wardrobe, it would be wise to acquire either the cashmere v-necks, leather murses (male purses), or a pair of their leather-clad kicks.
"There's people here who are 16 and there's people here who are 60 it's an exciting time, and people here are fun and that's why I think it'll be a fun thing to try. It's our first time doing mens, it's a whole new experience and we'll learn everyday." - Joan Shepp
FYI: Joan Shepp, located at 1616 Walnut Street has become an iconic Philadelphia fixture in its' 38 year existence. The specialty boutique is host to both CFDA designers and emerging talents in the fashion industry. Catering to shoppers who wouldn’t phantom a simple American Apparel tee or the basic garments other Walnut street clothiers have to offer, Joan Shepp values the sensibility of a well tailored coat paired with slimming silhouettes. Those not lucky enough to be familiar with the boutique can rest easy. Sales are plentiful and associates are personable, even for a store of this caliber.
