Pop-up 55 welcomes 54 Kingdoms

Project Storefronts is excited to announce that 54 Kingdoms will take over Popup 55 with their fashionable designs from November 4–8. Having received media attention from the likes of Entrepreneur Magazine, NBC Connecticut, New Haven Independent, and many more, 54 Kingdoms is known for its seamless integration of Pan-African culture with current trends in fabrics and styles.

54 Kingdoms is giving customers 20% discount of all products (apparel and accessories) during Pop-up 55. Available men apparel includes University of Afrika (UoA) henley and sweaters, and Tilbury pants. Maasai dresses and skirts, and Afrikana Delight tops will be in stock for women. Tee-shirt fanatics can ask about the popular Score For Unity fan gears released to celebrate Africa at this year’s World Soccer Championship held in Brazil. Accessories such as handcrafted Bonoman belts, Sankofa travel bag and beaded necklaces and bracelets will be available for sale.

Hours of operation for 54 Kingdoms from November 4-8:
Tuesday, November 4: 12pm – 5pm
Wednesday, November 5: 12pm – 5pm
Thursday, November 6: 12pm – 5pm
Friday, November 7: 12pm – 5pm
Saturday, November 8: 12pm – 6pm

About 54 Kingdoms:

54 Kingdoms is an apparel and accessory company that brings the Pan-African creative, history and culture to the doorstep of global fashion by paying close attention to detail and fine craftsmanship. At 54 Kingdoms, it’s not just about dressing to IMPRESS, but to also EXPRESS culture, pride and identity. 

For more info please visit  

54kingdoms.com | contact@54kingdoms.com

twitter.com/54kingdoms | facebook.com/54kingdoms | instagram.com/54kingdoms

About Project Storefronts:

Project Storefronts is a program that fuses the city’s creative sector with small business development. It grew out of the Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism efforts to diversify how they engage with artists and the community.  DACT partners with the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven and the city’s Office of Economic Development along with the State of Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development Office of the Arts to bring this project to life.   Project Storefronts works with property owners to secure free access to their vacant retail spaces. The program has been successful in helping landlords to rent their empty spaces. Meanwhile, the donated space helps creative entrepreneurs to test the viability of new, innovative business and retail initiatives while also educating themselves about what it takes to be a successful businessperson. Project Storefronts is actively seeking new applicants and properties in various neighborhoods.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Storefronts/147318158621818

Popup55

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Mini Halloween Shop @ PopUp55

Seymour based artist and vintage clothing vendor Jillian Lyons is ready to give New Haven her
haunted vision of Halloween. Valley Vintage & Jillian Lyons Designs will be taking over Project
Storefront New Haven’s location, PopUp 55, for a one week only engagement from October
27th ­ November 3rd. The shop will feature vintage Halloween accessories, masks and
costumes as well as handmade costume pieces, vintage clothing in fall colorways, handmade
spooky jewelry and Halloween themed fine art photography. The shop will be open all seven
days from 12pm ­ 7pm. Items will be curated daily throughout its seven day run. The Mini
Halloween Shop may also be announcing special guests as the event date comes closer!

Jillian Lyons began Jillian Lyons Designs in late 2010 as a way to deal with an unexpected
cancer diagnosis. As she recovered, she began to create a full handmade inventory and start
working again. She took a part time position with New Haven’s own Vintanthromodern Vintage
working as an assistant as well as handling booking and promotions. Vintanthromodern’s
Melissa Gonzales was a big influence on Ms. Lyons. Jillian utilized her experience when taking her small collection of vintage clothing to create an online business, Valley Vintage. Jillian uses

Popup55 features a new lineup of creative entrepreneurs

Popup55 features a new lineup of creative entrepreneurs

A new eyecatching, colorful display graces 55 Church St.  It features merchandise by creative entrepreneurs made in New Haven and meant for export to other places.

The installation by Ray Figlewski includes:

Postcards and prints from The Hill Museum of the Arts, showcasing the persistent pencil of Krikko Obbot and his fascination with local and regional cityscapes.

Dolls made of beads, buttons, scrap wood and found materials by Rashmi Talpade. They function as window accents, decorative elements in the home or automobile or an unusual luggage tag and come in three sizes.

An information kiosk made by Liam Doherty from recycled wooden pallets. His startup builds furniture that empowers communities, including benches commissioned for the MLK Peace Garden that will enable Bridging Families of New Haven County to turn their garden into a space for organizing meetings and outdoor evening theater performances.  The kiosk is a prototype; orders may be placed for similar models with customizable features.

Entrepreneurs and vendors of creative products wishing to be included in future popups can submit information via this link:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CHla-j6kdftMsBs7wTK4LQ4iu6Dqms6QC6xZStid_Xg/viewform