St. Louis fashion brand daph. recently launched a pop-up shop in the Central West End, just north of Sub Zero at 314 Euclid Ave. Open until December 24, the pop-up is a collaboration between the leather goods label and another local brand, KlarIty Lifestyle.
In the new shop, customers can experience “pieces first-hand, smell the leather, and see the quality and craftsmanship in every piece,” says the brand’s owner, Daphne Benzaquen, who will also participate in the CWE’s Window Walk this holiday season.
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The pop-up will carry daph.’s original and Oro handbag collections along with their new winter apparel collection. The new line features Peruvian alpaca fleece and pima cotton pieces, many of which are handcrafted by artisans throughout Peru and use traditional and durable weaving and sewing techniques. Price points for the clothing line range from $149–$210.
Benzaquen describes the line as “immensely comfortable but also completely elegant.” The leisure-to-evening winter line includes wide-leg pants, joggers, sweaters, and more. “All pieces are designed to be complementary to other wardrobe staples, making it simple to mix pieces to create fashionable outfits,” says Benzaquen.
During a trip to the large Peruvian city of Arequipa, Benzaquen became intrigued by two of the country’s sustainable resources: llama leather and baby alpaca fur. Sustainability is very important to her brand. She works with manufacturers who adhere to environmentally safe practices, create minimal waste, and implement the creative designs to maximize the resources’ potential. “Llama leather is a natural byproduct of the animal as llamas are a resource for meat and textiles,” says Benzaquen. “By using its leather, we are ensuring minimal waste and impact to the Earth, while showcasing a lesser-known Peruvian natural resource,” Benzaquen says, adding that llama leather is lighter, more durable and 15 times stronger than cattle leather. The baby alpaca fur used by daph. is a result of the shearing process alpacas need to survive hot months in the southern hemisphere.
A portion of her brand’s sales supports Peruvian communities, specifically focusing on positively impacting children with special needs in the communities where the clothing, handbags, and accessories are made. “From daph. sales, we’ve been able to help support the construction of a multi-sensory wing and a therapy pool for the students,” says Benzaquen. “We are honored to work with Nino Prite Jesus not only because the school needs our resources and support, but also because of the staff’s dedication to improving lives in the local community.”
Next, Benzaquen hopes to collaborate with more local designers on seasonal pop-ups around St. Louis.
