Every city has a rhythm, a pulse that lingers long after you leave. Philadelphia was no exception. My time in the City of Brotherly Love awakened a surge of energy and creativity that shaped the Philadelphia Capsule—a collection inspired not only by history and art but also by the vibrant heartbeat of the city itself.

The journey began aboard the iconic red double-decker hop-on-hop-off bus, a rolling stage that carried me through centuries of American history. From the cobblestone streets to the towering monuments, every corner whispered stories of revolution, resilience, and reinvention. It was impossible not to feel the weight of the past while envisioning how to translate that spirit into modern fashion.

Art, of course, was at the center of my pilgrimage. I immersed myself in three world-class museums: the Barnes Foundation, the Rodin Museum, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Each institution offered its own voice in the conversation of creativity. At the Barnes, I marveled at Renoir’s lush brushstrokes and Cézanne’s quiet balance. The Rodin Museum spoke through sculpture, raw and emotive, each curve of marble and bronze reflecting humanity’s eternal struggle. At the Museum of Art, I found not only masterpieces on the walls but also treasures for my own studio—art books that serve as living references, ready to be opened whenever I’m gathering fuel for the next collection or wearable art piece.

The highlight of my time in the city was presenting SingleTree Lane at the Unorthodox Luxury Fashion Show in the Independence Seaport Museum. Watching our pieces move against the harbor’s historic backdrop was a full-circle moment—history and modern expression colliding in real time. That show celebrated the journey so far; the Philadelphia Capsule bloomed after this trip, sparked by everything I saw and felt. It hadn’t been shown yet—it was forming in sketches, color studies, and notes that followed me home.

My stay at the Hilton Penn’s Landing placed me at the heart of the harbor. Each morning, the water shimmered outside my window, reminding me of the constant ebb and flow of inspiration. One evening, I dined aboard the legendary Moshulu, a fully restored tall ship turned restaurant. As I savored the meal, I thought of the countless journeys that ship had taken across oceans, carrying stories and souls much like Philadelphia itself.

Between museum visits and fashion showcases, I found respite at Spruce Street Harbor Park, where hammocks swayed and lanterns twinkled over the Delaware River. It was a reminder that creativity doesn’t just live in galleries or runways—it thrives in laughter, in food shared by the water, in moments of stillness beneath a canopy of lights.

Philadelphia gave me more than memories; it gave me a language of color, form, and feeling that shaped the Capsule collection. This was not just a trip—it was a transformation. Through art, history, and community, Philadelphia revealed itself as both muse and canvas. The city reminded me that fashion, like history, is not static. It evolves, it challenges, and above all, it tells a story.

And this is mine—unfolding as a final collection of more than 20 pieces, released one by one each day since my return home. Visit the full collection here.