LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Pop quiz, readers: Who was the first and last Philadelphia athlete to appear on the cover of Philadelphia Style? If you guessed Cole Hamels, you’re right. Dressed in a Hugo Boss navy suit and striped Psycho Bunny tie, the all-star pitcher appeared on our Spring 2009 edition shortly after winning the 2008 World Series (and walking in that epic parade down Broad Street) looking more like a model than a World Series MVP.
This spring we gear up for another memorable Philly sports moment when the NFL Draft lands here April 27–29. You can be sure that cover stars and Philadelphia Eagles players Brent Celek and Rodney Mcleod will play proud hosts to the thousands of aspiring players and veteran names slated to take part in the festivities. I brushed up on the latest sports news in preparation for our shoot, thinking that football would be the topic of conversation. But just one week after the season ended and with three months of downtime looming (Celek was getting ready to escape to a remote cabin in the woods with his family and Mcleod was looking forward to trying out a long list of restaurants saved on his phone), it was social media, not sports, that was on everyone’s minds. Both of them confessed they were taking a break from scrolling to be more present while off the field.
Meanwhile, the team here at Philadelphia Style has been living and breathing social media in preparation for another busy year ahead. Our digital presence is the real-time complement to our glossy pages, giving readers a behind-the-scenes look at special events, openings, and Philadelphia Style parties. In the months ahead we will be snapping, posting, and tagging more than ever to bring fans of the magazine to the front lines of what’s new and now in Philly--particularly the moments featured in the pages ahead, like the official opening of the gorgeous Museum of the American Revolution, the annual PHS Flower Show, the latest run of Broadway musical Cabaret, and a fashion-minded exhibit from Philly artist Leila Cartier. Follow along @phillystylezine for all the fashionable fun ahead in 2017.