Erik Honesty has brought his collection of stylish vintage finds to Old City.

Earlier this month, Honesty opened the doors of Galerie D’Cultured Couture, a vintage high fashion boutique and fine art gallery.

When consumers walk into the shop at 240 Church Street, they can enjoy the sounds of jazz while browsing through original paintings, men’s and women’s designer clothing, and upscale furniture.

The shop currently features an array of high-end vintage clothing and accessories from designers such as Burberry, Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Saint Laurent and authentic Louis Vuitton luggage.

The new shop is a spin-off of Honesty’s first retail location, Cultured Couture Vintage at 703 West Girard Avenue, which specializes in menswear. Back in 2005, Honesty decided to develop the Cultured Couture menswear line, after shopping at flea markets and thrift outlets for his personal clothing. This led him to brand his first retail store under the same name.

“When you come into Cultured Couture you encounter pieces that represent the individual. It’s almost like they were made for you,” says Honesty.

By offering a boutique-like environment, Honesty aspires to bring a different flair to how vintage clothing is presented. Shoppers usually have to rummage through thrift stores for vintage goods. With that in mind, Honesty wanted to offer shoppers a pleasant shopping environment.

“I just wanted to curate and edit the clothing in a way where people can look at it and almost question if it’s new or if it’s old. There’s some good quality out there. You just have to present it in a nice way,” says the 27-year-old native of North Philadelphia.

The combination of the presentation of his stylish apparel and an attractive price point held Honesty in good stead through a challenging time in the economy.

He launched Cultured Couture with the focus on providing high-end vintage at an affordable price.

“I believe that the concept allowed me to stand out. My price point is very respectable for what I’m selling, so that allowed me to stay afloat,” says Honesty, who studied business administration at Lincoln University.

After operating Cultured Couture for more than a year in Northern Liberties, Honesty decided to scout around for a second location. He partnered with artist Ayinde Purnell to open the shop. Some of Purnell’s paintings line the walls of the Galerie.

Honesty enjoys the thrill of traveling through the city and to New Jersey, Boston and Maryland to hunt for goods to stock the store racks.

“That’s what I love the most. I love hunting and I love merchandising,” says Honesty.

Contact staff writer Ayana Jones at (215) 893-5747 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .