If Our Clothes Could Talk

First Story in our new Blog Contest!

2012-03-13T17:42:00.002-07:00

Today's story comes from Mrs. Fairfield, Elicia Stewart:

"To say I love fashion is an understatement. Although I am not obsessed with it or find it necessary to follow all the latest trends, I do feel that clothing gives us a unique opportunity to express ourselves without words. I am wise enough to understand that once you find a style that “works” stick with it!

Of course I have had my share of miss steps, feeling great in something that wasn’t as flattering as I thought or imagined it to be. Being a pageant contestant and former Mrs. Fairfield, I know all too well how important it is to look as good as you feel….in every direction (pictures!).

With knowledgeable and honest sales associates, The Wardrobe had many beautiful gowns to choose from. The Sue Wong dress I choose fit like a glove and was as comfortable as it was beautiful. Most of all, it gave me the freedom to be “me”."

Vogue's View - Hue and Cry

2011-09-29T18:53:00.001-07:00

By Erica Chan

The Color Association of the United States was established during the First World War (1914-1918) as a place where color predictions could be made and dictated so that it could match its dye and fabric purchases from consumer trends. Every six months, four panels of color dictators, one each of women’s, men’s and children’s fashion and interiors sit down and put together a color card of around thirty-six swatches that they feel will be power colors two years from that decision day. The tough part of the job is predicting not only what consumers should want, but also generating a wide enough variety that includes what they will want. Dating from the eighties and prior decades to that era, certain colors are more prominent and create a certain image and perception, but colors change just as trends do and often become “inappropriate” years later. The article posed a good argument that they supported well throughout the reading:

“Colors come in a wave and you have to know when to ride it or you’ll end up on the markdown racks.”

The takeaway message from this article is that we should all be aware that colors in general give off a certain “vibe” or statement in defining our moods and attitudes. In a sense, The Color Association decides which colors take off and which colors send your garments straight to the sales racks. Color changes and “comes in a wave” and depending on when we catch up to the color trend, it could make or break the garment itself. We need to watch colors and wait for them to reach their peak, then you try and tweak it as much as you can or you wait for the next shade to come out. When you see those colors, not only do your clothes transition to this color, but so do your other accessories which may include: makeup, shoes, handbags, and more! Be aware that colors DO get old and it’s our job to know when things are popular colors in the world of fashion and society and when they are not (as well as when the change to something else).

In an application to the store, we should always know what colors are selling and what colors are not in comparison to what colors are currently trending. Maybe telling a customer what colors are “in” and applying that to what colors of that palette look best on them and in addition to that, possibly suggesting other accessories that go well with that new “citrus green” top.

2nd Friday for June...Wearable Art Scarves by Susan Eastman!

2011-05-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

The Wardrobe, in conjunction with Davis’ Downtown Art About, presents “Wearable Art Scarves by Susan Eastman” on Friday, June 10^th , from 4-9 pm. Music will be provided by The Sound of Fashion DJ’s Emily and Todd. There will also be scarf tying demonstrations at 5 and 7pm. This event is free and open to the public and refreshments will be provided. For more information, call The Wardrobe at 530.756.1128 or email staff@thewardrobe.com

Ms. Eastman is a fiber artist who hand dyes her 100% silk scarves in her environmentally conscious San Francisco studio. She was recently featured at the De Young Museum. Her new collection is lightweight, colorful, and perfect for summer.

Paper Couture!

2011-04-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to bring Julie Nutting to The Wardrobe for Paper Couture this Friday! She also will also be teaching a class the next day, at 1:00 on Saturday April 9th at the Davis Art Center. Space is limited to 15 people, and reservations can be made at The Wardrobe for $50 each.

Julie Nutting has been creating for as long as she can remember. She started drawing fashion figures when she was about nine years old. She grew up in the era of the first really fabulous fashion doll clothes. It was a time when doll clothes were exact replicas of Dior coats and Balenciaga gowns. Zippers were real and buttons were of the tiniest proportions. When she couldn't have the clothes she wanted for her dolls, she simply made them from her mom's pretty pastel hankies or fabric scraps headed for the trash bin. This led to a lifelong love of fashion illustration, design and sewing. She is published regularly in Somerset Studio magazine and has a book Collage Couture coming out this June.

Trash a la Mode

2011-03-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

Note: the following article was written by Julie Nutting, our 2nd Friday artist for April.

Last November, I was asked to participate in an art exhibit at a local gallery. Instead of the usual holiday sparkle, this show focused on the less fortunate. All the proceeds were going to a food bank and outreach program for the homeless. At first, I declined doing this show. Quite honestly, I just couldn't see how my pretty girly girls would fit the theme. there was just one problem with doing the show-I wanted to do it. It was a community event and it was for a good cause. Plus, I love challenges concerning my art.

A week before the show was to start, I went to the gallery. They were bringing in chain link fencing, shopping carts, and lots of wadded up newspaper for the installation.

It was looking fantastic. Just a couple of days before the drop-off date for the art, I had one of those aha moments-newspaper. It's one of my favorite papers to use in my collages, so why couldn't I use it for fashion? I set to work creating a gown that used newspaper.I didn't choose just any newspaper for this. I carefully tore the date from a French paper that I had purchased during an anniversary trip to Europe two years earlier. I also used an Italian ad from one of my favorite stores, a Thai newspaper from one of my husband's many mission trips, and some old patterned tissue paper. I added some pink tissue because everything looks a little better with pink, and a bit of gold leaf for the finishing touch.

As I was working on this piece, many thoughts regarding the theme of the show came to mind. The most important was how much we tend to judge others on appearance. I was thinking of the girl I created-underneath her gown made of trash was the beautiful princess that's in us all. I remember years ago hearing a celebrity on a talk show telling of a trip she made to a third world country and gifting young girls with dolls and new dresses. She was surprised that they were drawn to the dresses more than the dolls, but then realized that they never had a new dress before. That had always stayed in my mind. Just imagine the happiness at having a brand new dress when you've just had hand-me-downs-what an amazing feeling that must be! And so, I named my piece All She Wanted Was a New Dress.

Academy Awards Party UPDATE!

2011-02-21T11:51:00.000-08:00

Our Academy Awards Party is quickly approaching (less than a week left!), and it just keeps getting more exiting! Amazing DJ Emily will be there with French music, and we will be having Champagne to go with Becky Winter's delicious raw desserts. I am looking forward to rolling out the Red Carpet to everyone in the heart of Downtown Davis. Come down to The Wardrobe on February 27th (Sunday) and watch the Academy Awards in style!

Academy Awards Party!

2011-02-06T15:52:00.000-08:00

Join us on the red carpet on Sunday, February 27th for an Academy Awards Party here at The Wardrobe. We encourage everyone to play dress up, and there will be a $100 gift card prize for Best Dressed!

Call us at 530.756.1128 or email staff@thewardrobe.com for more information.

"Fashion wasn't what you wore someplace anymore; it was the whole reason for going." -Andy Warhol

Winter Sale 2011!

2011-01-03T13:26:00.000-08:00

Don't miss out on The Wardrobe's Winter Sale!

Everything in the store is 20% OFF or more. The sale will last until Sunday, January 16th, but hurry in soon to catch your favorite styles and sizes!

Fashionscapes - Mark Your Calendars!

2010-10-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

I am quite excited to be working with photographer Kyana Taillon to put together The Wardrobe's next event!

On Friday, November 12th at 7pm, The Wardrobe will host "Fashionscapes - A Photographic Exhibit that Features Local Women Making a Difference in Our Community." The exhibit will include portraits of influential Davis area women. Subjects include Ann Murray Paige, whose personal battle with breast cancer lead to the founding of Project Pink, a non-profit organization aimed to help women cope. Other women featured include entomology professor Diane Ullman and local artist Donna Billick, co-directors of the Art-Science Fusion Program at UC Davis, Autumn Labbe-Renault, executive director of Davis Media Access, Heidy Kellison, community activist and Erie Vitiello, executive director of the Davis Art Center.

Believing in our community, in our work, and ourselves is the inspirational theme for Fashionscapes. The Wardrobe is more than just a fashion boutique. It is a place that inspires joy and personal transformation through self-expression with fashion.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Raincoats are now coming in just in time!

2010-10-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

As the days get longer, we here in Davis know what that means: rain! This year, I'm very excited about a new French line I've discovered. Pile Au Face makes really jazzy clothing, and their raincoats are my favorite this season. With a fleece lining and a detachable hood, this raincoat is definitely a 5-star.

Today, we also received Mycra Pac raincoats. These coats come with a coordinated bag, and are reversible. Described as "The ultimate unstructured travel coat," Mycra Pac is sure to be a hit for the classy traveler this Fall.

Breast Cancer Workshop this Sunday, October 10th from 10 - 1!

2010-10-09T12:08:00.000-07:00

When women heal, the world heals.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Heather Caswell presents a three hour workshop that will focus on the healing power of color, beauty, and self-adornment. Learn how to intuitively choose colors and styles that will help you look and feel your best. Featured will be an accessories lab on the art of tying scarves by local artist Katy Brosky. Local hat designer, Norma Rice, will also be demonstrating the art of wearing just the right hat.

Ann Murray Paige, writer, journalist, and television host, will be assisting. She is a breast cancer survivor and co-founder of the non-profit Project Pink, which raises awareness of the issue of women and breast cancer. Her blogs are RaisingMaine.com and ProjectPinkDiary.com

The class will be assisted also by Carol Klesow who has been teaching Color and Consciousness internationally for the past 15 years.

Reservations are required and limited to 25 people. To make a reservation please email us at staff@thewardrobe.com or call the store at 530.756.1128 to sign-up. This is a free class. Donations are welcome and will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Sacramento.

The Art of Color Workshop

2010-09-26T13:46:00.000-07:00

The Art of Color Workshop on September 19th was a huge success. Friends came from all over the area to see how a spin of the color wheel could brighten their day (and Fall wardrobe!) There was tea and fresh figs to share. Color is mood food. Just as we have food that feeds our bodies, color feeds our emotions. Carol Klesow, international color teacher of Aura-Soma and AuraJin assisted the class. I really look forward to working with her again!

The Art of Color

2010-09-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

Here's a preview of my trip to New York!

2010-09-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

On my recent trip to New York City, I was excited to be able to attend American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibit was drawn from the newly established Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at the Met. American Woman examines different perceptions of the modern American woman from the 1890s to the 1940s and how they have affected the way American women are seen today. It interested me to see how the American Woman reinvented her femininity, especially thorough her dress.

More from my visit to come!

Story Contest rules reminder!

2010-08-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

Just as a reminder, here are the rules again for those that may have forgotten:

How has a dress, a pair of shoes, or a jacket, shaped or added magic to your life? Our goal is to find out how fashion has added more fun or made a difference in your life.

Guidelines
Share a story and express yourself in 1000 words or less.
Include an interpreted image of the item in a photo or sketch, if possible.
Please submit your story under one of the following themes:

Special Occasion Wear
Wedding Dress
Everyday Dress
Shoes
Accessories (hats, scarves, purses, etc.)
T-shirt
Jeans
Bathing Suit
Suit
Jacket/Sweater
Jewelry
Costumes
Other

To Submit your story, please e-mail it to blog@thewardrobe.com along with the image.
The winning stories will be shared here on our blog, If Our Clothes Could Talk. monthly Prize is (1) $50 giftcard to The Wardrobe, and your story will be displayed at the wardrobe in downtown Davis!

Announcing The Wardrobe's new continuing story contest!

2010-07-31T15:30:00.000-07:00

Fashion tells a story about where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. Four years ago when Heather Caswell was writing a script for a fashion show at the El Macero Country Club, she found herself saying "If our clothes could talk...they have met presidents, attended Academy Awards and even won Emmys. Over the years she has felt like she has been married 1000 times because each time she dresses a bride, she gets to share part in her journey.

The Wardrobe's If Our Clothes Could Talk short story contest has taken on a life of its own. There was such good energy at the party last Friday that The Wardrobe has decided to continue an ongoing story contest announcing a winner each month. The monthly winner will win a $50 gift card and a copy of DJ Heather's "If Our Clothes Could Talk" Elecrtro Swing music compilation. In the future, our fabulous designers will sometimes contribute to the prizes as well.

So keep writing, reading and voting on your favorites. Come by The Wardrobe to see the winning stories each month!

Short Story Contest Winners

2010-07-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

Top Story & Best Special Occasion: Ann Murray Paige

Best Sweater/Jacket & Most Creative: Eve Bessier

Best Wedding Dress: Joy Policar

Best Everyday Dress: Nicole Coombe

Best Pants: Kim Anger

Best Jewelry: Ashley Mariano

Best Costume: Sean Christopher

Best Other: Kaitlin Ball

Best Shoes: Mabel Yang

Best T-Shirt: Susan Lee

Best Accessory: Connie Ulasewicz

Reader's Choice: Robin Kozloff

Join us Friday, July 23rd, for our Fashion Party:

2010-07-12T17:03:00.000-07:00

The Two Dollar Treasure

2010-06-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

By J.K.

On this two dollar clothing sale day the thrift store was jammed. I sidestepped a woman pushing a loaded shopping cart and bumped into a colorful display rack of scarves and hats. One scarf caught my eye with its unusual design of ice skaters in 18th-century costumes. At first glance it somehow looked French to me. As I carefully unfolded it, I saw two words in the middle of the design: “Joies d’Hiver”: Joys of Winter. Two more words at the bottom of the scarf made me catch my breath: “Hermès Paris.” A white care tag in French and English proclaimed that this item was made in France of 100% silk. I carefully examined the scarf for stains, rips, holes, snags, hanging threads and other imperfections. I found absolutely none. It was in excellent condition. The hand-rolled reverse hem was perfectly stitched on all four sides in matching colored thread. Obviously this scarf had never been worn.

“It’s probably fake”, I thought. Taking my find home posthaste, I googled my way through an assortment of web sites, acquiring a crash course on Hermès scarves in the process. I already knew that they were, like the Rolex and the Rolls Royce, iconic status symbols. Queen Elizabeth has been filmed and photographed wearing her extensive collection of Hermès scarves while walking her Corgis or sipping tea in the royal family’s private quarters at Buckingham Palace. Hermès scarf designs vary greatly in motif and color and are often re-issued. Artists submit new creations to the House every six months. From an artist’s sketchpad to the final inspection can take as long as two years and include as many as 40 artisans. No wonder retail value for this luxury accessory currently averages around $450.

“Joies d’Hiver” was designed by the artist Joachim Metz and issued in 1992-93 in several color combinations. E-Bay does not currently offer this particular scarf for sale, which according to several websites is considered one of the most popular and sought-after Hermès designs. I discovered next that my scarf was printed onto silk jacquard, a unique process invented by the Frenchman Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1801. The Jacquard technique weaves into silk fabric a small, slightly raised repeat design, which on my scarf is a miniature skating couple. Re-issues of “Joies d’Hiver” were printed on plain silk twill instead of jacquard, making my find even more valuable.

Although I’ve had offers, I don’t intend to sell or wear my treasure. How could any amount of money equal the rush of pleasure I experience every time I think about or look at my authentic and perfect Hermès scarf … found in a thrift store for two dollars!

Thank you

2010-05-26T21:22:00.000-07:00

Hello Heather, I enjoyed reading the blog/stories sent in to your contest. What an excellent web site and way to stay in touch with your clients! Clothing and style are the touchstones of my life. I can date any family photograph by the hair , or the sweater my mother wore. I was lucky enough to be the daughter of a woman who could turn her hand to anything she chose, and lucky for me she loved fashion as well as all the other arts. Although Mother made a living as a potter and later as a potter and watercolor painter, in the 1950's when I was a small child, she made fabulous copper enamel jewelry , wove (or hooked) all the rugs in our home, wove fabric, sewed our drapes, and then sewed every single item of clothing (except our JC PENNY Panties). I bought my first store bought item ( a lovely light blue voile with spaghetti straps and a bias cut swirly skirt and lace down the bodice of the sweetheart neckline) in 1973. Mom lovingly sewed everything that my sisters and I wore until we were in college. We were the best dressed girls in our county, and looking back in most any county! I have ALL the prom dresses mom made us, 4 per year per girl at least. Each unique and always a shock to our contemporaries ( She taught us to make batik prints and sew them up..a bit different in our cow town.) What came to mind however, reading your stories, was, that there is a dress or suit or jacket or hat or pedal-pusher, prom dress, wrap around pant, petti pant, skirt, blouse or costume to describe each and every time of my life. Every time I tell a "growing up" story to a friend or customer in my pottery shop or a relative I include the fabric, cut, color, weave, or style of the clothing worn by us all. As important to me as clothing is, I wonder why I make my living as a potter/glass artist!? All I can be sure of, is that I tip my hat to all the wonder people who design and sew and sell and believe in the integrity of the lovely clothes I can buy today. Thank You! Pamela Quyle

Three Generations

2010-05-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

Three Generations: The Creation of a Wedding Headpiece and Many Memories

Edna, Married July 2, 1949

My daughter Connie’s wedding was an important occasion. Every detail had to be carried out to perfection. It became a challenge with Connie living 500 miles away. She also had a job, which meant traveling to the Far East quite often. Connie, however had many good contacts and she found a dress that she liked rather quickly. We agreed that I was to create her headpiece. Connie shared with me the look she had in mind as well as the way she would be wearing her hair. Simple but elegant, that was our goal. We had considered using some lace from the mantilla that I had worn at my wedding. As we looked it over, however, we could see that the lace had aged and it was too yellow. We then decided to search fabric stores for a muslin cap, in a shape Connie liked and would fit her head well. I found fabric that matched her gown perfectly. Now I had to shop for pearls. They had to match those in the gown as well as the antique pearl earrings Connie was planning to wear. My mother had given them to me and I had worn them on my wedding day. I diligently searched for the correct shade of pearls as well as shape and size. Everything was coming together miraculously. Everything except the fact that it was now the night before the wedding, family and guests were arriving from out of town and I was frantically sewing pearls onto the headpiece.....into the wee hours of the morning.

Connie, Married November 10, 1984

I do not remember spending time as I was growing up thinking about what I wanted to wear on my wedding day. I do have very fond memories of passing by a black and white 8 ½” x 11” fancifully, framed photograph on the chest of drawers in my parents bedroom that was a lovely reminder of the happiness they shared and the dress and floor length, lace mantilla my mother wore to celebrate her wedding day. I actually found the dress I wanted to wear for my wedding when I was not looking, but in a small local store while on a business trip in Hong Kong. It was a few months later, while looking with my mom at the actual lace mantilla that she wore, and together tossing around ideas for a headpiece that the design concept began. My mother offered to create a headpiece for me that would incorporate our ideas. Mom is an excellent seamstress and I was so happy that she would design and create this piece for my special day. Unlike her daughter, my mother does not leave projects until the last moment, so was I nervous when the night before the wedding she was still hand beading the fabric……yes! The headpiece was beautiful and it meant so much to me that my mom was the creator. Twenty-five years later, just last fall, I was filled with joyful memories when our daughter really wanted to wear some part of my wedding attire, and the beads my mother had chosen for my head piece were passed along to her.

Katrina, Married October 17, 2009

I am happy to hear the words ‘simple yet elegant’ used when creating my moms look for her wedding, because those were the same words I used to describe my own. Planning my wedding was a little difficult as I lived in New York City and my mom lived near our wedding location in Northern California. I remember my first trip home after announcing our engagement when my mom pulled out her wedding dress and headpiece for me to see. I had seen them in the past, but now was looking in a completely different light. I was surprised when my mom asked if I wanted to try them on, but happily stepped into the gorgeous period-pieces (two words: shoulder pads!). I knew I wanted to incorporate some part of her wedding attire into my own, and the headpiece seemed like the perfect item. I had heard the story many times of my grandmother frantically sewing the headpiece before my moms wedding, so it was both elegant and sentimental. On the morning of my wedding I sat in the hairdressers chair as she pinned the string of pearls into my hair. It was the perfect accent to my simple dress and the pearl necklace I borrowed from my mom. It was also a wonderful reminder of two very important women in my life, and the three generations in attendance at my wedding. At one point after my ceremony and before the reception I walked past the piano where we displayed photos from past family weddings. There was my grandmother in her lace mantilla, my mom in her pearled gown, and me in the reflection - all connected as we celebrated our weddings.

I Said Yes to the Dress

2010-05-26T21:17:00.000-07:00

By Dr. Caron Ann Cioffi

I Said Yes to the Dress and Got on CBS: The Wedding Gown Featured with Those of Caroline Kennedy and Princess Diana

“People tell stories about themselves with their clothing.

There are lots of clues in how people dress.”

Julianne Moore, actress

Behind every great woman is a great dress. Yet a dress is so much more than just a sketch executed in fabric. It’s an expression of one’s soul in the quest for eternal beauty. It is a dream waiting to become a memory. As Oscar Wilde put it: “Fashion is that by which the fantastic becomes for a moment the universal.” A dress is only as powerful as its designer and its wearer, who form a symbiotic relationship centered in the imagination and based on originality. As that perpetual iconoclast Coco Chanel knew, to be irreplaceable one must always be different. Stylish women don’t just appreciate clothes; like Carrie Bradshaw and her real-life counterpart, they adore them. It is a case of fashionista fate that Sarah Jessica Parker and I were both born on March 25^th.
The dress one chooses for her wedding day reflects both the desire to be beautiful and the passion between two people. It is a double love story and the stuff of fairy tales—Cinderella shedding her rags and waltzing in a ball gown with her Prince. In my case, I followed Coco’s advice and broke with tradition. That meant convincing my family that a big, fat Italian wedding dress was out of the question. They wanted me to resemble a doughnut-shaped zeppoli; I was hoping for a streamlined cannoli instead. Citing Diana Vreeland, legendary Vogue editor, I argued that elegance is refusal, and that a chic, fitted silhouette would flatter my body more than acres of bubble-shaped tulle. “This is between me and my mirror,” I said to my weeping mother and hysterical godmother. I made two concessions: the dress had to have beadwork to honor my late grandmother, who learned the craft in Italy and used it to save our immigrant family during the Great Depression, and a piece of my mom’s lace bridal gown would be sewn into my own.

The next step was a visit to Kleinfeld’s Bridal, now the setting for The Learning Channel’s show “Say Yes to the Dress.” I met the owner, Hedda K., and got my first surprise “wedding gift”: an interview with CBS news for a feature-length story titled “Big Weddings Are Back.” The premise was that all economic classes desire to lead a life of style, if only on that one blissful day. I would implicitly be compared to several high society icons: Caroline Kennedy (whose nuptials would include Jackie and California’s current first lady Maria Shriver) and Princess Diana. Two royal families, one American, one British, and moi. Letitia Baldridge, Jackie’s White House Social Secretary, would also be consulted regarding impeccable taste. Wishing for an Excedrin the size of a hockey puck, I nonetheless agreed to have my entire wedding filmed and viewed on national TV. Finding that special dress now took on a whole new meaning.

Thankfully, I knew what look I wanted. My muses were Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca and Grace Kelly in anything. I imagined myself as the star of my own movie—dramatic, softly feminine, subtly seductive, as elegant and mysterious as a swan. Striking images came to mind: floating clouds, angel wings, classical goddesses wrapped in sea-foam, Paris’s Cathedral of Notre Dame, The Mona Lisa, the poetry of Keats. From that flood of metaphors, I realized that clothes are symbols that gather moments of life into an autobiography, and that they are poems of form and color to be enjoyed and revisited forever in the stream of history. My wedding dress would be catapulted beyond the realm of family and friends and into the archives of a far vaster audience.

To say that the pressure was on is an understatement. I began to tear through the racks at Kleinfeld’s with the ferocity of a Viking warrior. And suddenly, magically, there was the dress. It was by the then-unknown Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto, whose avant-garde fashions now appear in Vogue, etc. I was drawn to the Zen-like way that the weight and textures of the luxurious fabrics harmonized. The shape was modified mermaid, consisting of body-hugging Alençon lace embroidered with seed pearls and columns of rich taffeta ruffles down the sides and around the hem. The neckline was face-framingly high and elegant, while the upper bodice was peek-a-boo lace that added some sensuality. The sleeves were demurely long but of sheer lace, with set-in, slightly padded shoulders. (The latter detail remains the hallmark of a Yamamoto design.) The back consisted of a perfect line of silk-covered buttons that cascaded into a chapel length train to be bustled into a bow for dancing. It was my dream dress, superbly made, objectified on a hanger, and I hardly needed to try it on.
When I did try on the sample, it fit perfectly. As I watched my mom and godmother dissolve into happy tears, I knew that they experienced it too—the power of an unforgettable, sophisticated, breathtaking work of art. In that dress, I felt like a Michelangelo sculpture come to life, like my best, most true, most beautiful self made visible. We are what we wear, and how we wear it. I was ready for my Warholian 15 minutes of fame; I was ready for the CBS cameras and the Kennedys and the Princess of Wales. I said yes to the dress that I loved and that would carry me to the man whom I idolized. Two life-long romances came together at Kleinfeld’s that day, because what is true of passion is also true of fashion—they are matters not of common sense but of uncommon sense. I envision our son’s bride gliding down the aisle in my gown, because a great dress, like a great woman, never goes out of style.

Shoes

2010-05-26T21:14:00.000-07:00

By Jodi Zeisel

I come from a family with a lot of women. I am the youngest of 3 girls. My mom has always been very fashion conscious. I cannot say the same for myself. Growing up, my clothes were chosen for me. Anything I picked out, my mom either disapproved or made fun of. In college, I wore army pants and t-shirts without a bra! As an adult, I finally was able to find my own style. For my mother, shoes were always my issue. I have very wide feet with a high arch and a high instep. I used to wear a triple E as a child. I need shoes that are comfortable more than anything else. For most of my adult life, I owned 2 pairs of shoes, Birkenstocks for the summer and Doc Martin boots for the winter! I'd wear the boots with long dresses or short dresses with leggings. It was a look. My mother always gave me grief about this. Once, while visiting me for my birthday, she commented that I had a "shoe problem"! I just let comments like these go, trying not to make a big deal of her judgments. I moved to California, and continued my boots with dresses look. A neighbor actually noticed and told me that my look was definitely dated! The nerve! Well, I figured the time had come to seek a new style. I found new sandals, not Birkenstocks, but not exactly "pretty". It was a start. That was 7 years ago. I now have so many shoes I have to keep them in 2 long boxes under my bed!
A couple of summers ago, I was visiting my Mom in Chicago before her open heart surgery. I was still wearing brown sandals with my pretty sundresses. She suggested a trip to Nordstroms to find a pair of pretty silver sandals. Trying to be a "good" daughter, I complied. Well, nothing jumped out at me. There was a pair that were almost identical to my mom's silver sandals with a giant jewel in the middle. UGH! Of course, she liked those. I had all but given up when I saw them. Silver, sparkly sandals! They were gorgeous. I put them on. They made my Fred Flinstone fat feet look amazingly fabulous and feminine! I walked over to my mom and she agreed. These were some special sandals. Even the woman trying on shoes next to her said they were amazing. Then I checked the price. $175.00. Maybe not a steep price for a nice pair of shoes but these were actually jellies! Ok, fancy jellies with sparkles and silver leather, but still, I couldn't see spending that much money on this type of shoe. What if they were uncomfortable. What if they made my feet sweat. My mom offered to split the price with me but I just couldn't do it. Sigh. So, I ended up with the mother- daughter look alike sandals. She was thrilled to get me into something other than brown. Months went by. I was shopping at the Rack with my shoe enthusiast boyfriend and guess what? Yep. There they were. I was breathless. I was in shock. I picked them up. Holding my breath, I checked the bottom to make sure. They were my size! I held them lovingly to by chest. I never expected to see these sandals again. When I showed them to my boyfriend, he seemed questionable. I'm like, "No. You don't understand. Wait til you see these on my feet." I put them on and he had to agree. Gorgeous! I called my mom. I said, "remember those sandals from last summer?" She knew right away. I was so excited I could hardly talk. She was excited too, but for a different reason. She was thrilled that I could care so much for a pretty shoe!! They were only $75.00.(I still can't beleive I said only $75 for a pair of jellies but these are Stuart Weitzman's, a name I had been oblivious to before) She was happy to get them for me as an early birthday present.
You think the story ends here but it doesn't. Last Thanksgiving I had my suitcase stolen out of my sister's car in Phoenix. All of my favorite things were in there, including,of course, the sandals. I was sick. All day long I kept remembering things I had packed, some of them irreplaceable. It's a feeling I wouldn't wish on anyone. I decided to do what I could to feel better about this violation. I decided to replace what I could and forget about the red lingerie set from Italy, my new thrift store find, the gorgeous white ruffly top from The Wardrobe and all my other favorite things I'd packed that I would never see again. It took a few weeks but I finally found my sandals on Zappos. They came in the mail 2 days after I ordered them. Now, sometimes I can't help but wonder, who took my suitcase? What could they possibly have wanted with all my things? Whoever it was, I sure hope they're not a size 6!

Fashion Piece

2010-05-26T21:11:00.000-07:00

By Kaitlin Ball

Vladimir, Russia, is known for a deep and bloody history as the ancient capital of modern-day Russia; it has never been known for its fashion. If anything, Vladimir has been three steps behind European fashion since the tenth century. Present-day Vladimir is no exception to this pattern, wrought with greasy mullets and track suits. Therefore, it seems unthinkable that one would find some glimmer of fashion wisdom among the conventional industrial apparel that clothes most of the city.
      I spent a semester in the small town of Vladimir to get away from Western culture and immerse myself in Russian life. And yet, nearly every day after class my friends and I would flock to the only mall in the province. We would not seek out any pseudo-authentic Russian tea house, but instead always made our way to the chique coffee house. The coffee house was full of sleek, red chairs that were as thoughtlessly manufactured as the pastries available in the display case. We did not go here because it offered us something exciting and different; it only offered us something boring and safe.
      And every day in this banal coffee house we saw a not-so-banal young Russian woman walk by. She would strut by our coffee house like the poorly paved sidewalk was her personal runway, in a pair of jeans that seemed only to have drawn their inspiration from some synthesized boy-band from the nineties. Like most Russians, she only had one pair of jeans, and she wore them every day. These faded jeans had no pockets in the back (leaving very little to the imagination at times), and were bleached in a manner to imitate tie-dye, with a flare that ended awkwardly just at her ankle. At one point, these jeans were probably very cutting-edge; but that flare had long since worn off.
      Every day she walked past, going home from work or university. And every day we saw her, and made fun of her. Like most Russians in Vladimir, she had a sense of fashion that offended our need to assimilate to what was served to us by the prevalent fashion magazines. This astounding young Russian woman was not at all unlike her peers on the street, from her hair color to her slender Slavic build, and yet we managed to spot her every day as she strolled by the coffee house.
      Outdated and antiquated were among the kindest things we called her; it almost became a sport. As it continued, I began to wonder why it was a sport. Why did this otherwise ordinary Russian woman merit our attention every day? I did not think it was because we led boring lives, we were constantly being enriched with new cultural and linguistic challenges. Her outfits, however outdated and cliché they may have been, were thoughtful and much better composed than those of many of the men and women who often shared the street with her. Why then, did I notice this young woman and her one pair of jeans every day, no matter what the weather? Russia would hurl its best at her, wind, rain, and snow; and yet I never failed to notice her.
      It took me over four months of reflecting after my departure from Russia to understand this young woman and her jeans. It was not what she wore every day that drew our attention; it was the attitude with which she wore it. Her very existence not only boasted confidence, but also some other mysterious ingredient that I am still unable to name. She did not have many of the things we take for granted: the finances to invest in another pair of jeans, and even more likely many of the opportunities that allow so many of us to advance in life. But she moved with a confidence and comfort that still have not mastered. She did not draw eyes because of her keen following of some fashion guru in Moscow, she drew eyes because of her confidence and comfort with herself.

Shoes

2010-05-26T21:10:00.000-07:00

By Mabel Yang

This is a pair of black Anne Klein sling back heels.

Classy, yet trendy enough for a 17, soon-to-be-18, year old senior about to leave behind the remains of her childhood and step into the world of adulthood. I found them amidst racks of shoes in a discount store and scored them for an unbelievable $15. And they were completely new. It was probably love at first sight (and I’ve loved many a pair of shoes), but this was the pair I had to have and for such an affordable price, it was like I was meant to have them. Clearly, destiny was calling. It was perfect.

Looking back, I can only say that I was right.

They’re a little battered now, but I guess you can say the little scrapes and such are battle scars. They’re well-earned however and I’m happy, nay, proud to wear them still. These babies have been an essential part of my wardrobe and have been there for some of the most memorable events of my life.

Soon after I acquired them, I walked across the stage in front of my family, friends, and peers to get my high school diploma and to say goodbye and hello to the next chapter of my life. They were there for the first of many job interviews and they were there when I finally landed the job. They were there for parties and shopping trips and reunions. And they’re still here and they’re gonna be here for a while as I experience many more firsts in the upcoming months and years.

They’re a part of my battle armor. They help me present to the world that I am a strong, confident person and they’re still cute as heck. They have sentimental value and when I look at them, I remember every single one of those moments.

(P.S. Thanks, Mom! Best grad gift ever.)