May 28, 2009

Mirror, Mirror: A store of his ownBy Elizabeth WellingtonPhilly.com

There is no way you can make the fashion rounds in this town and not know Jimmy Contreras.

The quick-to-call-you-babe self-made style arbiter built his reputation in contemporary fashion by attending the city’s chicest events. At the grand opening of the Union Trust steak house, he was there. The welcome party for Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels at Two Liberty Place? He was there, too. At the opening event for the Franklin Institute’s Galileo display? Hi, Jimmy.

Where, then, was Contreras last week when Philly Style hosted a shindig at Barneys New York Co-op?

He was getting ready for the opening of his own store, the new home, gift, and baby boutique called JimmyStyle on South Philly’s Passyunk Avenue. Tonight he’ll host a media opening, tomorrow is reserved for Contreras friends and family, and Saturday he’ll host an all-day open house from noon to 6 p.m.

“There have been so many events like the Barneys one that I’ve missed recently,” Contreras, 30, lamented. “I just hate missing things. But I needed to get things done; there is no messing around.”

The 1,000-square-foot store will feature cutesy recession-friendly merchandise, from onesies by Oh La La Mama to candles from Paddywax. He’ll sell glassware, melamine bowls, and cupcake mix, too. And there will be a blend of loft-perfect furniture: chairs, loveseats, ottomans, tables, and lamps.

Items from local artists will be featured, including the aromatic, foamy soap from Duross & Langel – which, by the way, has formulated a special JimmyStyle soap – tea from Remedy Tea Bar, and cards by social scene photographer and Philly Chit Chat blogger HughE Dillon.

“I consider my store a mixture between Town Home and Open House,” Contreras said. “It’s streamlined modern to shabby chic.”

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