Introduction to Damari
Damari is a distinguished Black-owned menswear and womenswear boutique headquartered in Philadelphia’s dynamic Old City district. Founded by former NFL star Malcolm Jenkins in collaboration with longtime friend and stylist Eric White, Damari has fast become a premier destination for tailored suiting and fashion that embraces culture, individual style, and precise craftsmanship.
With a commitment to redefining modern formalwear, Damari leverages creativity, expert tailoring, and cultural storytelling to offer a unique sartorial experience. From custom suits to meticulously designed ready-to-wear collections, Damari serves a clientele that values elegance, identity, and a bold fashion statement.
Origins and Vision of Damari
Damari’s journey began in 2012 with Malcolm Jenkins exploring the world of style through designing bow ties, evolving into a full menswear brand focused on bespoke craftsmanship and inclusive service. Collaborating with Eric White and Philadelphia designer Alyssa DiMarcantonio, Damari has grown beyond custom formalwear into a lifestyle brand celebrating friendship, creativity, and cultural heritage.
Malcolm Jenkins’ philosophy centers on dressing with intention, viewing fashion as a medium for self-expression and dignified presence. The brand’s evolution reflects this ethos, blending classic tailoring techniques with contemporary cultural nuances to create standout pieces that tell powerful stories.
Collections and Services
Custom and Ready-to-Wear Apparel
Damari offers a comprehensive range of menswear and womenswear, including:
- Custom Suits: Crafted with precision tailoring at the flagship Old City store, clients experience personalized fittings that ensure an impeccable silhouette.
- Ready-to-Wear Collections: Casual and formal pieces designed with the same attention to detail and cultural resonance.
- Shirts, Pants, and Outerwear: From crisp button-downs to sophisticated overcoats and casual denim, Damari covers diverse wardrobe needs.
- Accessories: Bow ties, pocket squares, belts, and other finishing touches elevate each ensemble.
- Bridal and Wedding: Known for bespoke wedding suits and gowns, Damari’s commitment to celebration and elegance shines in this specialty.
Personalized Experience
Damari operates through appointment-based consultations, ensuring that each client receives dedicated attention and enjoys a curated experience tailored to their style aspirations and lifestyle needs. A knowledgeable team accompanies customers throughout the design and selection process, reinforcing Damari’s ethos of sartorial inclusivity and client empowerment.
Location and Contact Information
Damari’s flagship store is centrally located in Philadelphia’s historic Old City district, surrounded by art, culture, and the city’s vibrant energy.
- Address: 72 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Phone Number: (215) 564-2247
- Email: info@damari.us
- Website: https://damari.us
- Google Maps Directions: Directions to Damari
Notable Clients and Cultural Impact
Damari’s clientele includes prominent figures such as actors, musicians, professional athletes (notably including Jenkins’ NFL teammates), and cultural influencers. The brand has crafted looks for celebrated personalities like Morris Chestnut, Bozoma Saint John, and Jalen Hurts, reflecting its standing as a go-to label for those seeking style infused with meaning.
The boutique’s dedication extends beyond fashion into cultural representation, embodying the “modern dandy” movement—a celebration of Black men and women using style as a tool for visibility, dignity, and quiet resistance.
Sartorial Storytelling and The Dandy Movement
This year’s Met Gala theme, celebrating the modern dandy, resonates deeply with Damari’s vision. The concept elevates dressing with intention as a form of self-definition and pride. For Black men and women, style has historically offered a mode of cultural assertion and resistance, and Damari embraces and revitalizes this tradition through its collections.
Every piece at Damari is crafted to support clients in expressing their identity confidently, championing the art of dressing not as a trend-chase but as a form of storytelling—making each garment an extension of the wearer’s presence and legacy.
Future Growth and Expansion
Damari is evolving into more than a clothing brand. Plans include designing experiences, curating creative environments, and collaborating on innovative projects within and beyond Philadelphia. Partners Eric White and Alyssa DiMarcantonio will continue to grow the custom tailoring division under the Cadrae brand, ensuring foundational craftsmanship thrives.
Malcolm Jenkins envisions Damari as a space that fosters connection, creativity, and cultural expression—advancing its legacy from bespoke fashion to a full creative house.
Customer Experience and Testimonials
Clients consistently highlight Damari’s exceptional craftsmanship, attentive service, and the brand’s dedication to delivering looks that feel genuinely personal. The appointment-only model assures undivided attention, helping clients find styles that both fit impeccably and resonate deeply.
Customers praise Damari for transforming formalwear shopping into a meaningful, celebratory experience that bolsters confidence and self-expression.
Supporting Black-Owned Innovation
By choosing Damari, customers actively support a Black-owned business committed to creative excellence and community empowerment. The boutique exemplifies Philadelphia’s vibrant Black entrepreneurship scene and contributes to the city’s cultural renaissance, representing Black style heritage as contemporary art.
Quick Contact Information
- Address: 72 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Phone Number: (215) 564-2247
- Email: info@damari.us
- Website: https://damari.us
- Google Maps Directions: Get Directions
Discover the artistry of personalized tailoring, cultural style, and sartorial storytelling at Damari—the Black-owned boutique redefining modern suiting in Philadelphia and beyond.