Model: Taylor Smethers Photo: Sabina Sister
When Steve from May 23 graduated from Ithaca College in New York with a degree in computer science, he had no idea he would end up monetizing his online business into a brick-and-mortar West Chester one. Taylor, our model for this photo shoot, wore one of May 23’s signature dresses for the transition into the cooler season: a floral print mini dress by Hommage. I stopped in at May 23 to see Steve and his dog, Atticus.
Surprisingly, Atticus had nothing to say about the dress, but Steve had plenty of information to give me. “It has more fall colors, like beige and blue,” Steve clarified. “So it’s a transition to the fall and pairs well with a denim jacket.”
May 23 first started online eight years ago selling t-shirts to bars for pub crawls, which were later given to charity. After Steve’s last job in King of Prussia didn’t work out, he was given a new lease on life with a new West Chester lease five years ago.
“I’d been out of the job for a week and she contacted me a week later with a lease,” Steve said. “And asked me to move into a 
corporate building in West Chester.”
So he and Atticus packed their bags and gladly made the move. Steve likes working and owning May 23 because it’s a lot more freeform and relaxed than in a regular office building.
“There are a lot more options with women’s clothing than men’s,” Steve said. “It just made sense to sell them.”
May 23’s online shop includes options for men, as well as for pets and for home decor. All of their products are made in the United States. To learn more about May 23, check them out online.
Check out our Look Book from our August Style Issue!
