Local Spotlight: SLCKR

For while, I’ve been wanting to get back to the root of why I started Fashion of Philly, a time before the blogosphere became oversaturated. When I went to school at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, I was introduced to some of the amazingly talented, creative , interesting people that live, work or occupy in one way or another, the city of brotherly love (and sisterly affection). I started this blog to not only share my love for fashion and beauty, but also to shine a light on emerging, local brands and local events and now, more than ever, it’s time to get back to that. 

When Ben Johnson and Tyler Tracy of SLCKR, a barber wear company combining fashion and function to provide clothing and accessory solutions that complement a barber’s everyday life, contacted me, I was excited! I have to admit, at first I wasn’t sure if their brand fit my demographic, but after reading the email, I concluded that we do share a common interest, fashion and a connection with Philadelphia. SLCKR is a Philly based company, headed by two individuals from the Philadelphia suburbs who met at Penn State. Tyler is a senior majoring in industrial engineering and entrepreneurship, while Ben is a Penn State graduate currently working at AllBirds, an unique footwear shop on Walnut Street. 

“In addition to our products, we hope to celebrate the individuals that make up the industry by telling their stories. As a Philly based company, this will include traveling to different shops in the area and having a conversation with some of the industry’s best. Barbering is a hustle and a representation of the so-called “American Dream”. Success in the profession only comes from hard work and perseverance. The industry is made up of creatives and dreamers who feed off of bringing joy to others. It is our belief that the profession does not get the recognition it deserves, and we hope to curve this trend by providing honest insights into the lives of industry constituents.”

Tyler would cut Ben’s hair on a weekly basis, which in turn lead to inventing a product that not only increased performance, but the wearer would look good in the meanwhile. The Rig is an innovative take on tactical wear, offering a sleek chest rig design that incorporates the tools used during a haircut like scissors, combs, clippers and clipper guards. By providing placement for these tools on the body, the barber can stay mobile and organized, moving around the chair without being stuck to their station. The team didn’t just stop at coming up with a unique design, but top-of-the-line premium vegan leather for long lasting wear. The Rig ($219.99) officially launches Friday, January 15, but you can place you order now online at SLCKR.US. This is just the beginning of a line of inventive tools born out of necessity from Ben and Tyler and I’ll be interested to see what they come up with next.