Stories of Philadelphia Designers

These individuals stand among the finest in their field, hailing from the City of Brotherly Love. Their creative journeys were marked by personal highs and lows. Each artist crafted their work in their own era, yet even today, their designs continue to be admired. Dive deeper into the lives of some of Philadelphia’s greatest designers of all time – read on at philadelphia1.one.

Willi Smith

Willi Donnell Smith was born on February 29, 1948, in Philadelphia. His youth was spent in a typical working-class family, with his father working in a factory and his mother as a homemaker. However, young Smith spent more time with his grandmother, who earned money by taking care of the homes of wealthy local designers. Later, the grandson studied art under the tutelage of Arnold Scaasi himself.

He later combined an internship with the fashion designer and studies at the Philadelphia College of Art. Even during this period, the young man was involved in designing clothes for Elizabeth Taylor. Willi dedicated almost all his free time to sketching, right on the floor of his home. He later recalled in an interview that his family supported his passion and understood the “decorated” floor, which Smith would then clean up.

After acquiring a creative education at several local institutions, he received a scholarship for free tuition at “Parsons The New School for Design.” Without hesitation, he left his hometown and set out to conquer New York. The ambitious designer studied extensively, drawing inspiration from leading clothing brands. The greatest influence on him was Smith’s career mentor, Mr. Arthur McGee.

In the “city that never sleeps,” Willi often spent his free time observing the fashion tastes of passersby on the street. It was during one of these observations that he met model Bethann Hardison, with whom he later collaborated and eventually married.

The second half of the twentieth century was pivotal for Smith, as he worked at “Digits.” As a result of his work for this company, he had the opportunity to win the “Coty American Fashion Critics’ Award” twice. He later left the aforementioned clothing brand due to the company’s financial problems, leading Smith to establish his own brand.

“Willi Smith Designs”—the name of the Philadelphia fashion designer’s family business—lasted less than six months because Willi lacked experience in running such a large-scale enterprise. He then traveled to India to gain new knowledge. There, Willi Donnell, along with a friend, produced a small collection of women’s natural fiber outfits. Later, the Americans founded “WilliWear Ltd,” and after some time, they held their first fashion show, showcasing the designer’s best works at the time.

In 1984, the designer finally achieved victory, being nominated for the “Coty American Fashion Critics’ Award” for the fifth time. During this period, he created unique clothing that was popular with both women and men.

On April 17, 1987, Willi Smith passed away due to an AIDS-related illness. His portion of the business was managed by his close friend and president of “WilliWear,” Mallett. Under Mallett’s leadership, the brand lasted only three years after the project’s creator’s death.

Overall, during his lifetime, the Philadelphia native won numerous awards, including the “Cutty Sark Men’s Fashion Award” and others. However, his most significant achievement, for which he is remembered today, is his artistic work that transformed the entire fashion industry. Notably, the designer’s success was so monumental that there’s even a holiday in America, celebrated on February 23rd, called “Willi Smith Day.”

Albert Nipon

Albert Nipon was born on September 11, 1927, in the western part of the City of Brotherly Love. The future prominent women’s clothing designer was educated at a local school and then graduated from Philadelphia’s main higher education institution, Temple University.

His path to success in the design world wasn’t like that of his future competitor and fellow Philadelphian, Willi Smith. Nipon had to earn a living working as an accountant. Even in a job he disliked, he managed to provide for himself and his family.

It wasn’t until 1954 that he decided to change his career path. With his wife’s support, they opened their debut women’s clothing store in Philadelphia, “Ma Mere.”

In the second half of the twentieth century, the Nipons’ family business grew from a small kiosk into a popular international company specializing in maternity wear and dresses. The marital synergy between husband and wife was key to “Ma Mere’s” success, as Mrs. Pearl Nipon had exquisite taste and an understanding of what women wanted to wear, while Albert possessed the skill to create it.

The “Albert Nipon” clothing brand achieved over sixty million dollars in profit in the 1980s and collaborated with celebrities such as Mary Tyler Moore, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, and others.

The late twentieth century brought a dark period in the Philadelphia designer’s life: first, he lost over fifteen million dollars, and then he went to prison for tax evasion. After the brand’s bankruptcy, he founded a new company, Leslie Fay Company, which continues to delight its fans with fashionable goods even after Albert Nipon’s death in November 2022.

Alvin Bell

Alvin Bernard Bell was born on December 27, 1958, in the City of Brotherly Love. His best childhood days were spent in Pennsylvania, thanks to the loving care of his mother, Catherine, and his responsible father, James Bell.

While Albert Nipon was already a well-known Philadelphia designer and Willi Smith was cleaning floors after his youthful creative endeavors, young Bell was reading fashion magazines and dreaming of success.

Even as a teenager, he knew he wanted to be a designer. When he was eight, he even won a local drawing competition. His parents enrolled Alvin in a local college of art, where, under the mentorship of Margaret Caraver, he learned a great deal. This period is also memorable for him because he befriended a future legendary Philadelphia fashion designer, Willi Smith.

After a long stint as a photojournalist and illustrator, he created his debut original product: costumes for the “PSI” brand. He later launched “Designer Report,” a media outlet dedicated to the world of fashion.

In the late twentieth century, the American brand “Sears Roebuck & Company,” which served over twenty percent of African American customers, hired Alvin Bernard to create and produce a line of casual and career wear for women called “Mosaic.” This new company introduced loose-fitting, affordable viscose clothing with abstract African stripes and jazz prints.

Today, Alvin Bell’s works continue to compete in the fashion market, and the designer from the City of Brotherly Love remains one of the best fashion designers in the United States of America.

Terese Brown

Terese Sydonna Brown entered the world in 1997. She studied in several American cities, but it was in Philadelphia that she graduated from a local university with a degree in fashion. Concurrently with her design studies, she also earned two degrees in business economics and studio art from “Lafayette College.”

After her time at the Philadelphia institution, she worked for companies such as “NYC Alliance,” “Jimmy Choo,” “Marc Jacobs,” “Lord and Taylor,” and others. These years of practical experience provided her with a crucial foundation—she understood how the fashion market operated and what it lacked.

“Terese Sydonna”—her independent clothing and accessories brand—had an ideology that resonated with people worldwide. Terese’s products were created for those who sought to be part of art, not merely to wear comfortable clothing. Moreover, beyond their style, the designer’s clothes required minimal care; ninety-five percent of the collection could be machine-washed: “they dry quickly and don’t wrinkle,” the creators noted.

Brown designs for both women and men, with most of these projects achieving significant success. Today, she is one of the most renowned fashion designers, and Terese’s branded apparel can be found exclusively in retail stores in Philadelphia.