stadler-Kahn opens second annual Philadelphia Produces Original Design pop-up shop

This June, and for the second consecutive year, Center City design store and boutique gallery—stadler-Kahn—is producing a one-stop-shop for artisan goods that are designed and/or produced in Philadelphia.

Called Philadelphia Produces Original Design or  "P.POD", the pop-up shop series was founded by Philadelphia author, illustrator, and textile designer Alex Stadler, who owns the stadler-Kahn design shop in Rittenhouse Square. P.POD first opened for the 2011-2012 Christmas season at the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Museum Store and featured over 40 designers.  P.POD will open the doors to its second pop-up shop June 7th – June 9th at Metropolitan Gallery 250 (250 S 18th Street, Philadelphia), Metropolitan Bakery's non-profit community art gallery, with eleven exciting Philadelphia brands.  P.POD is modeled after the celebrated and beautifully curated risd|works shop, which exclusively sells designs by Rhode Island School of Design alumni (Stadler is a RISD alumnus).

The P.POD shop opens with a kick-off party on Friday, June 7th from 6-9pm in Metropolitan Gallery. Guests will peruse the eleven shops while snacking on Metropolitan Bakery gourmet caramel corn, salt water taffy from Shane Confectionery, and cheese from Reading Terminal newcomer Valley Shepherd Creamery, paired with summertime beer by Nodding Head Brewery. Regular shop hours are Saturday June 8th and Sunday June 9th 11am-4pm.

"Philadelphia has been a great place for me to go from being a confused art student to a happily working designer and artist," says Stadler. "The city is a fantastic atmosphere for creative endeavor. In the future, Philadelphia will have a curated, multi-disciplinary permanent design shop devoted to all of the extraordinary things that are being created right here in our city."

Stadler's philosophy behind his namesake stadler-Kahn designs is "freakish, brilliant, or gorgeous", which holds true with the vibrant array of handcrafted products showcased at P.POD- like 1970s printed vinyl Liz McIlvaine handbags, to hand bound Peg & Awl journals, diagram-illustrated housewares by Girls Can Tell, whimsical needled felted wool sculptures by Heidi Bleacher, and works by the sophisticated lifestyle brand Masters of None, most widely recognized as the name behind the Philly's ubiquitous "ill" necklace.

On the higher end, P.POD will sell the furniture of Groundwork, a home furnishings company that for nearly 20 years has commissioned their neighboring Amish craftsmen to build pieces from salvaged materials, and notably, maintains a permanent showroom in New York's ABC Carpet & Home.  Warren Muller, a local (and national) legend in illumination, will showcase his incredibly thoughtful and provoking explosions of art, light, and atmosphere, alongside the 3-D clothing from edgy, avant garde designer Jeantrix.  Products sold at P.POD range in price from $25-$5,000 and all purchases are made through the seller.

Alex Stadler is a proud 25-year resident of Philadelphia and a 1990 graduate of Rhode Island School of a BFA in printmaking.  He is the author and illustrator of ten books for children, including What Willie Wore and the Beverly Billingsly series for Harcourt.  Stadler has created collaborative collections with Comme des Garcons, Todd Oldham, babyGap, John Bartlette and JF Sons and is currently the proprietor of stadler-Kahn and designer of the stadler-Kahn line of scarves, clothing and accessories.

Featured brands include Duke & Winston, Fabric Horse, Girls Can Tell, Groundwork, Heidi Bleacher, Jeantrix, Liz McIlvaine, Peg & Awl, Sharif Pendelton, stadler-Kahn, Warren Muller.