CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Posing with Mayor Michael Nutter at his inaugural celebration, after he won the 2011 election and entered into his second term as mayor of Philadelphia; With John Kushnir, Niche Media’s CFO, and actress Carla Gugino at the world premiere of The Mighty Macs at the Kimmel Center; Melania Trump with the Ritz-Carlton team, without whom our Holiday 2011 cover party would not have been possible: Iman Butler, director of sales and marketing; Olivia Brown, general manager; and Gabriel Constantin

Every city has its share of hometown heroes. When it comes to fashion here in Philadelphia, Tory Burch is the most beloved.From the trademark hardware on shoes and handbags to the role she plays in regional charities, Tory’s mark on this city is readily apparent. I have known her for years, and it has been amazing to watch as her brand and her celebrity grew, as the value of her name in the fashion world increased in leaps and bounds.

	The first time around: With Tory Burch at the Fall 2008 cover party, a luncheon at JoAnn and Howard Wurzak’s home in Gladwyne on September 24, 2008

We don’t usually feature a cover star twice (you may recall her on the cover of our Fall 2008 issue), but Tory is so integral to Philadelphia high society that we had to make her an exception. Her role in charities is selfless and tireless, particularly in her own: The Tory Burch Foundation is a nonprofit that provides economic opportunity to women and their families, many of them self-employed entrepreneurs, all over the United States. Tory’s support of these hard-working women is an effort that commands respect both locally and nationwide.

Considering all she has done, we were thrilled to join forces once more with the Valley Forge native, truly a force in both fashion circles and nonprofit efforts. As we compiled all the fantastic features for our Spring Fashion issue, it seemed only right that we pay homage to this influential designer and hometown girl with yet another cover.

JOHN M. COLABELLI

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY NELL HOVING (NUTTER, GUGINO); LISA LAKE/WIRE IMAGE (BURCH, TRUMP)