Shop Class: Reward boutique opens in Old City

When another clothing store sets up shop in Old City, it isn’t news. But Reward, which has designers from around the world, is sparking interest in the sleepy shopping district.


Reward
55 N. Second St.

Tuesday-Thursday:
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.,
Sunday: noon – 5 p.m.
267-773-8675

This September, Reward boutique opened its doors in Old City. It has already earned adoration for housing designers from Australia, New Zealand and Spain.

In addition to selling global fashions, the boutique also embraces the old. There is a large selection of frocks and men’s fashions toward the back of the store. Vintage shoes line the perimeter of the shop, strategically placed under racks of Reward’s most popular stock.

Toward the front of the boutique, a glass case holds new jewelry designs, like hand-crocheted necklaces from Arielle de Pinto. It even has sweater-knit cases from designer Henrik Vibskov to keep laptops from catching colds. The best part of Reward’s stock: vintage Coach handbags that date back to the 1960s and 1970s.

Karen Walker

Karen Walker takes the stage as one of Reward’s most popular designers. When browsing through racks of her clothes, prepare to be surprised by her array of intricate vintage details. In the past few years, the New Zealand designer has earned a fandom in young Hollywood.

Fall for her burgundy short-sleeved dress with burnt orange polka dots. The puffed sleeves and Peter-Pan collar doll it up. A white long-sleeved dress with vintage lace patterns on the sleeves and bibbing shows Walker’s attention to detail. With its high collar and A-line silhouette, this dress would be charming paired with black tights and ankle boots.

Something Else

Natalie Wood’s clothing line, Something Else, is essential to Reward’s inventory. Blending street-wear chic with classic designs, the pieces are tough, yet elegant. The Australian couturier puts a clever spin on a gray boyfriend cardigan by splitting the collar into a halter neck. Glittered buttons top off the piece.

Something Else focuses not only on innovative designs, but also incorporates indie styles into the line. A long-sleeved dress uses a simple navy blue textile with small blue roses, and its edgier side peeks through in the zippers on the sleeves.

Gemma Degara

Barcelona native Gemma Degara incorporates safety belts and cords into her pieces that are reminiscent of a parachute. No wonder her fall and winter collection is titled “Caída Libre,” which means “free fall” in Spanish.

Degara utilizes the season’s love for jewel tones with rich silks and satins in emerald, ruby and sapphire. Using yards and yards of luxurious fabric, Degara presents a line full of crazy, skydiving-inspired pieces. A flowing V-neck blouse is cinched at the waist by a black vinyl safety belt, enhancing the black geometric pattern of the ruby satin fabric.

Nicole Saylor can be reached at nicole.saylor@temple.edu.

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