It’s the newest edition of Jews of Philly Fashion, introducing you to the Chosen few who dress our city. They might mix wool and linen, but they’ve got some strong opinions on mixing stripes with florals. In this space, we’ll talk to designers, sellers, buyers, influencers, models and more. This week, we spoke to Elissa Bloom.
Elissa Bloom has been just about everywhere in the fashion world.
She’s run her own brand, Elissa Bloom New York, an accessories collection which featured purses, clutches, totes and other bags sold at Nordstrom, Reebok and Victoria’s Secret, and worked at established companies like Bloomingdale’s and Anthropologie.
She’s taught the business of fashion at Drexel University, the Moore College of Art and Design and Thomas Jefferson University. In 2015, she was even invited by the White House to speak at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Kenya.
In all that time, Bloom has been showered in all manner of awards. In 2019, she was nominated for a “Connector of the Year” award with RAD Girls. In 2018, Bloom was named a Philadelphia Business Journal Woman of Distinction, and in 2017 she was nominated as the Philadelphia Ambassador of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, a global event empowering female entrepreneurship that is celebrated with the United Nations. She also organized and led Philadelphia’s first and second annual event honoring female entrepreneurs in the region.
Today, Bloom, 51, is the executive director of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator at Macy’s Center City, an organization launched to nurture emerging local designers with a year-long fellowship. Along with her travels, she began to notice how the earnest, passionate young designers she met lacked the tools or business know-how to start really designing and selling clothes; now, the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator is a hot spot for young designers in Philadelphia looking to get off the ground.
“It’s really about being impactful and being able to make a difference in these designer’s businesses,” Bloom said. Thus far, graduates have gone on to found well-known brands like Milano di Rouge and Alice Alexander. Suffice it to say, her mentorship has already paid dividends.
What is your favorite piece of clothing?
The wrap dress — easy dressing, comfortable and always stylish.
What trend would you like to see make a comeback?
Bodysuits.
And what trend are you content to leave in the past?
Sweatpants.
What’s something you can’t believe you used to wear?
Shoulder pads from the 1980s.
Is there a current fashion trend that you detest?
Asymmetrical dresses and tops.
What would you be doing if you weren’t in fashion?
International diplomat.
What are you looking forward to in 2020?
Working with a new group of talented Philadelphia designers who will be in the 2020 residency, and relaunching my accessories brand.
What’s the most likely result for the 76ers this year?
Winning the playoffs and ending the 36-year hiatus of being champions.
What accessory should more people be wearing?
Large statement earrings.
What person’s style do you admire?
Tracee Ellis Ross.
What talent would you most like to have?
Tap dancing.
What is your most defining characteristic?
Resilience.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Center City?
Rouge.
jbernstein@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740
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Hi,
I would love an opportunity to meet with Elissa Bloom for mentorship and guidance. To have an opportunity to hear about her journey to success and secret of how she stays resilient.
Thank you and I look forward to this possibility being a reality.