by KYW’s Lauren Lipton –

If you are a fashion designer, a local retailer may be looking for you.

“Sa Va is a women’s clothing brand.  It’s really unique in the sense that it’s based on locally made clothing.”

That’s Sara Van Aken, owner of Sa Va, at 1700 Sansom Street. She says the store has its own garment factory that makes almost everything they sell, but…

“There are some products that we can’t make — handbags, jewelry — but we know that there are a lot of really talented, creative people in the region.  So in sticking to our commitment to sell locally made products at reasonable price points, we decided to do an open call for jewelry and accessory designers.”

Hear the full interview in this KYW Podcast…

So if you think you’re what they’re looking for, head down to the store on Friday, August 27th, between 11am and 1pm.

“You would bring your portfolio, sample pieces — not dissimilar to what Henri Bendel used to do in New York when they were looking for new brands of clothing and accessories.”

There are some things to consider.

“You want to make sure it’s within the right price point. You know, we have very mid-ranged price point affordable clothing, and we don’t want to sell handbags that are $500.”

And the store represents a philosophy.

“One of the reasons why I moved my garment factory here a year ago from Bangladesh was that I felt it was really important to know that the people making the clothing that we sold were getting paid living wages.  We have an attachment to them, a connection in our community.”

For more information go to www.savafashion.com

That’s Positively Philadelphia!