In Store: First-ever Fashion Week, 450 Design Events, French Frocks And A Designer HotelrnrnPhiladelphia is making a statement this fall with top-notch style and design events the aesthetically inclined won’t want to miss. For fashionistas, there’s the first-ever Philadelphia Fashion Week, two exhibitions at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Perelman Building featuring the work of a who’s who of fashion greats and the arrival of the Arts of Fashion Symposium, Design Competition and Fashion Show, another first for the city. Design fans will get their fill, too, thanks to the fifth annual—and biggest yet—DesignPhiladelphia celebration, a brand new Kimpton hotel in a historic building and 11 enormous ceramic, steel and bronze works by artist Jun Kaneko placed throughout the city in honor of the Opera Company of Philadelphia’s Madama Butterfly performances.rnrnBest of all, many of these events and exhibits run over the long Columbus Day weekend, October 9-12, 2009, making it easy for fashion and design fans to get to everything on their to-do lists. Visitors can book a hotel package that perfectly suits their needs at gophila.com/withlove.rnrnFall For Fashion:rnrnIt’s a feast of fashion at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Perelman Building this fall thanks to two exhibitions on display. Shopping in Paris: French Fashion 1850-1925 explores the American shopping experience abroad, showing off designs by the House of Worth and Lanvin, along with dozens of garmets from the museum’s collection—many of which have never been displayed before. Through October 25. From September 11 through summer 2010, visitors can also see Inspiring Fashion: Gifts from Designers Honoring Tom Marotta, a collection of runway styles donated by 17 celebrated designers—including Carolina Herrera, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren and Diane von Furstenberg, among others—in recognition of the creative legacy of the late fashion visionary and South Philadelphia native Tom Marotta. Fairmount & Pennsylvania Avenues, (215) 763-8100, philamuseum.orgrnThe first-ever Philadelphia Fashion Week hits the 23rd Street Armory from October 8-10. The three-day event features the work of student, local and national designers sold in shops throughout Greater Philadelphia. Already on board to display their collections: Commonwealth Proper, Delicious, Brooklyn Royalty, Triple 5 Soul, Love Brigade and 9 Days. Throughout the event, visitors will be treated to at least 15 runway shows showcasing 2009 holiday fashions and 2010 spring lines, musical performances, 12 pop-up boutiques, food, drink and more. 23rd Street between Market & Chestnut Streets, philadelphiafashionweek.orgrnMaking its way to Philadelphia for the first time ever, the Arts of Fashion Symposium, Design Competition and Fashion Show unites students, designers, buyers, educators and consumers for a four-day global fashion fest, October 24-28, at Drexel University. Master classes taught by fashion pros, showrooms by rising design stars and an exhibit by established designer/artist Aurore Thibout make the event a don’t miss, but the main highlight comes on day four with a grand fashion show at the Philadelphia Museum of Art featuring work from more than 18 countries and 90 schools. Drexel, 31st & Chestnut Streets; Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, arts-of-fashion.orgrnPrincess Diana’s royal wedding gown, diamond tiara, veil, 25-foot train, shoes and parasol are among the ogle-worthy items on display in the Diana: A Celebration exhibition, on view at the National Constitution Center, October 2-December 31. Also of special interest to the fashion forward: 28 dresses, suits and gowns designed by Versace, Valentino, Chanel and Azagury and worn by Diana during her life as a princess. While the exhibition shows off Diana’s internationally recognized wardrobe, it also explores her childhood, her engagement to Prince Charles, her lavish royal wedding, her children and her works as a global humanitarian. 525 Arch Street, (215) 409-6700, constitutioncenter.orgrnDesign Time:rnrnThe Opera Company of Philadelphia’s presentation of the acclaimed Madama Butterfly, featuring costumes created at the city’s Fabric Workshop & Museum, will not be contained to the Academy of Music, where shows will run October 9, 11, 14, 16 and 18. From mid-September to mid-November, design fans will delight at 11 huge pieces (2,000-5,000 pounds each) by ceramic artists Jun Kaneko called “dangos†on display around town, including spots like the outdoor courtyard of City Hall, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building. Also in the dango spirit, the Locks Gallery will host a Kaneko show from mid-September through October. Academy of Music, Broad & Locust Streets, (215) 893-1018, operaphila.org; Locks, 600 Washington Square South, (215) 629-1000, locksgallery.comrnDesignPhiladelphia marks year five with a week-long celebration that includes more than 110 events and 450 designers focused on all things, well, design. From October 7-13, venues throughout the city host exhibits, workshops, studio tours, lectures, runway shows and more. Among this year’s most noteworthy events: a Welcome House in which 10 artists create new works based on their interaction with the public, the redevelopment of an urban lot into a community park and a walking dinner tour that highlights good eats along with interesting design and architecture. designphiladelphia.orgrnKimpton makes its Philadelphia debut on October 15 with the Hotel Palomar, a 24-story property housed in the 80-year-old American Institute of Architects building. Themed “Art in Motion,†the Art Deco building’s interior design pays homage to fashion, dance, literature, architecture and the visual arts—as evidenced by the original artwork on display by local Philadelphia and national artists. What’s more, Palomar delivers a stylish and modern design while preserving many of the building’s historic details. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) has recognized the hotel for its design innovation and its unique sustainable building site. 117 S. 17th Street, (215) 563-5006, hotelpalomar-philadelphia.comrnThe Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality.rnrnFor more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit gophila.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to Hear Philly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.rnrnContact(s):rnCaroline Bean, (215) 599-7433rnMorgan Obidowski, (215) 599-2298