Bridging the past and the future

Baldwin's Leather and Fabrics storefront.Photograph by M. Fischetti

Larnell Baldwin, owner of Baldwin's Leather and Fabrics. Photo: @fabric_row

Baldwin's Leather & Fabric has been a must-stop for any fabric lover. Larnell Baldwin, the owner, is a master tailor who opened his shop on Fabric Row in 1988. Among fabric lovers, he’s known for his scissors and sewing machine collections. Beyond running the store and working on tailoring, he carries out his legacy through teaching at his own established Fashion Institute & Tailoring School. Watch the interview here:

Mr. Larnell describes his passion for teaching as a way to give back to the community. The outpouring of dedication he showed throughout the years repaid him once his store was looted during a 2020 protest. His students showed up for him, helping him raise $30,000 to cover the damages.“ A lot of times, we don’t get that type of appreciation until we’re dead and gone,” Baldwin claims in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer. Mr. Larnell’s story ties Fabric Row’s past and future, weaving the thread of change in the neighborhood, combining savoir-faire, charm, and inspiration. A thriving black-owned business that carries the knowledge and holds the light for the future generation of fabric and fashion lovers.

Citations

Harden, Brandon T. 2020. “His Philly Tailoring Shop Was Looted during the Uprising. More than $30,000 Was Donated for Repairs.” Https://Www.inquirer.com. June 12, 2020. https://www.inquirer.com/life/baldwin-fine-custom-tailors-looted-george-floyd-protest-black-owned-business-20200612.html#loaded. “Fabric Row.” n.d. Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Accessed April 21, 2024. https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/fabric-row/.