The future of design should be rooted in evening the playing field from all perspectives.
YOWIE is a Philadelphia-based lifestyle shop, and design studio focused on curating small collections from local creatives, independent artists, and designers. Founder Shannon Maldonado has seen her boutique through several transitions since YOWIE’s online debut in 2016. Shannon saw a gap between working artists and shoppers looking to fill their homes with beautiful objects. Her keen eye for curation comes from her fashion design background. YOWIE’s pop-up sales flourished in the shop’s first year online, and in 2017, Shannon opened a brick-and-mortar storefront in Philadelphia’s Queen Village neighborhood.
Shannon makes a point to meet artists where they are at in every stage of their careers. From helping artists with business tools to creating a personal, less formal setting for receiving feedback, Shannon lowers the barrier of entry for artists starting out or those who have not worked with a retailer before.
Deemed “Philadelphia’s Arbiter of Cool” by Dwell Magazine, Shannon’s vision to create a more inclusive space for artists to sell their works is expanding once more into a multiuse space intended to act as an incubator for creatives and guests to flourish.
The new YOWIE, scheduled to open in 2022, will feature Shannon’s signature retail space, a photography studio and cafe, and eleven YOWIE-designed and curated hotel rooms. In addition, Shannon hopes to provide a comfortable and inclusive environment for guests of color and those interested in creating.
YOWIE has been many things, from online sales and pop-up shops to a highly designed, unique hotel experience. Still, the remaining constant is Shannon Maldonado’s passion for lifting up creative voices and her love for Philadelphia.
