Every Friday for The Next Chapter‘s adventures through The Happy Book, we’re sharing our happy. Feel free to join us! Everyone’s welcome.
This week’s happy took me back to 2006 when I participated in a project, 101 Things in 1001 Days. One of the things that was on my list was to go into a store that intimidated me. My choice? Holt Renfrew. It was like going to another country with its own cultural codes and expectations – high-end designers I’d only read of, sales staff that acted like they were at a cocktail party I was interrupting and beauty, lots of beauty.
Yesterday I braved it again but this time with my intrepid adventure buddy Sabine! WAY more fun! We tried on fabulous hats, were Love Bombed by the latest Viktor & Rolf perfume and we braved every corner, experiencing Chanel, Lagerfeld, Gucci. My absolute favourite thing about it is that there is all this beautiful design, amazing construction and you can touch it!! I’m a completely touchy-feely person. I go crazy in museums aching to feel the coolness of the marble under my fingers or the weight of that sword or the rough texture of that woven blanket. Here I could feel the rivery flow of the sequined dress, be amazed by the sculptural construction of a stellar dress and run my fingers along the shimmery mirrored scales of the most amazing pair of reflective silver shoes! It was a sensual delight!
Were we still intimidated? Sure, at times. At one point Sabine and I discovered the highlight of the trip: a white and gold confection of a dress that had us both swooning. The price tag was the same as my first year at grad school! A salesman walked by and said something about it being a delight and for a moment there was something in his tone that made me think perhaps he was making fun of us. And then it occurred to me – so what? That’s fun too! It was like we were in this mad moment of theatre and whatever dialogue came out of the players, it was all a part of the show!
Last time, there was one room I just couldn’t brave: Dolce & Gabbana. Their section was set apart in its own little room, all black and mirrored. The sales people were looking long, lean, fabulous and down their noses under the opulent chandelier that dominated the space. I took a pass. But this time Sabine and I swanned right in – and despite being already told we weren’t allowed to take pictures, I managed to sneak one in. Rebels unit!
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{ 10 comments }
Jamie, I love the way you approach things! It makes me want to get out there and push the edges of my comfort zone.
that’s so awesome! what a great, brave, and fun adventure!
Woohoo! You are a rock star rebel! Love it Jamie! So happy you snuck in that fashionista spy photo, hehe. Good for you for tackling that fear and bringing a buddy to help make it more fun. That is a perfectly happy approach if I ever heard of one.
I love how you were able to think of it as theater to make it less threatening.
What a fun field trip! Thanks for reporting on it. Happy weekend!
Oh, I know that feeling. Once in a great while I’ll go into one of those kinds of places in NY, but it is always somewhat intimidating. My sister was here a number of years ago and she designs floral arrangements for hotels, etc. She wanted to go into some lobbies to see what the “big guys” do. We went, were snooted in one place, but we had fun. Having a friend along really helps.
Oh, what a great way to rebel against the rules and inner resistances! Funny enough, I was just thinking this morning that I hadn’t tried to walk into Bergdorf Goodman in a decade and that it might be time to do it again. I think having a friend along definitely helps!
Sounds like a fabulous adventure! : )
this story reminded me of a store in las vegas that kicked me out for taking photos. sounds like you had a lot of fun! ciao!
“Mad moments of theatre” that’s what I like too, feeling excited by a photo shoot and what other’s think – I love to take reflective photo’s of fashion shop windows. There’s the magic of the shot, the look of bewilderment of passers by, and sometimes the shop staff think I’m trying to steal their designs!
What a wonderful adventure. Looking at it through your pictures and words it sounds like so much fun. Thank you for sharing with us.
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