Shannon Maldonado

“Innovation is always at the forefront of my mind when I am curating or designing for YOWIE or our clients. Our byline is ‘We're a lot of things,’ and that's me rebelling against us ever being put into one box or category. It’s not always easy but I prefer to make things that make people stop and think, smile, or ultimately feel inspired.”

Shannon Maldonado is a designer and the founder of YOWIE. Philly’s Queens Village community knows it as the modern home and lifestyle shop with colorful products and unique events. The retail space is a carefully curated collection of designs from friends, emerging artists, and designers. But let’s step back. For over 12 years, Shannon worked in fashion design for such giants as Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, AE, and Urban Outfitters. Then, in 2016, she took a big risk and left the corporate world to create her own brand.  Returning to her native Philadelphia, she launched YOWIE through a series of conceptual pop-ups around the city. In 2017 YOWIE graduated into a small but dynamic storefront on Fabric Row. YOWIE also serves as Shannon’s launchpad for programming, interior design, and art direction for other brands. Shannon sits on the board of directors at Fleisher Art Memorial. Past collaborators include The Philadelphia Museum of Art, CB2, Ubiq, ICA Philadelphia, The Wing, Ethel’s Club, and The Deacon. In everything she puts her mind to, Shannon is cultivating the intersection between art and community.

how does innovation influence your work?

“Innovation is always at the forefront of my mind when I am curating or designing for YOWIE or our clients. I took a big professional and personal risk in leaving my corporate job to create our brand so if I'm not working towards creating something different or innovative then I don't see a purpose. I want our space to challenge what a retail store can be: we curate and make products, create events, design spaces and creative direct products for other brands. Our byline is "We're a lot of things" and that's me rebelling against us ever being put into one box or category. It’s not always easy but I prefer to make things that make people stop and think, smile, or ultimately feel inspired.”

What does leadership mean to you?

“After leaving my "real" job I decided I wanted to always lead with empathy and transparency. Too often in my past career in Fashion I experienced and saw a lack of humanity fed by hierarchy and sales numbers. Being a good leader is a work in progress for me but I do my very best to show that vulnerability can be your strength to bring the team closer.”

Biography:

Shannon Maldonado is a designer and the founder of YOWIE. After working in Fashion Design for over 12 years (Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, AE, and Urban Outfitters) Shannon returned to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2016 to launch YOWIE though a series of conceptual pop-ups around the city. In 2017 YOWIE graduated into a small but dynamic storefront on Fabric Row. The storefront and design studio aim to showcase emerging artists and create and curate spaces that evoke emotion and discovery. Shannon sits on the board of directors at Fleisher Art Memorial and seeks to build an intersection between art and community. Past collaborators include The Philadelphia Museum of Art, CB2, Fleisher Art Memorial, Ubiq, ICA Philadelphia, The Wing, Ethel’s Club, and The Deacon.