My fashion show was last Saturday. When the dust settled, I had laundry, menu planning and groceries to take care of. Then a couple of days of personal/doctor appointments - some fun, some not so much.
Then back to work, to reset the salon and organize the chaos from the weekend.
But there was something I couldn’t put my finger on till midweek. And when I did name it, I was surprised to see it: sadness.
The event was wildly successful. I hoped we’d sell 1 Marimekko piece - we sold more than half of them. Along with lots of skirts. The party that broke out after the show had a surreal energy to it - like we had all found our people, and a moment, to just unwind.
My daughter’s homecoming was the same night as my show - she met her girlfriends for a late lunch, then went to a friend’s to get ready before pictures. She had arranged surprise bouquets for each, with ribbons to match their dresses. After the dance, they went to another friend’s house for pajamas and movies - which were interrupted by looking through the photos they had taken earlier in the evening.
And this is girlhood. Not the event, but all the getting ready, and the after-party, and the details that make it memorable and special.
This is how I see dressing - the leading up to the event of our lives that makes the event special. And this was my show. It was trying on skirts and dresses and laughing and dancing and meeting new friends. It was learning the stories of how each fabric was made, and the behind-the-scenes of creating the one-of-a-kind Marimekko pieces.
And when it was over, my heart ached for more of it.
I take a day off each week - strictly enforced. And I have regular appointments for massages, facials. I go to bed with a good book, spend evenings away from work and with my family over a lovely dinner.
I have systemized rest (unsurprisingly, because I systemize everything), but I crave something more than a great self-care routine.
I want girlhood. Those moments where we share, together, in getting ready for the event of life, and where we care only about fabric, color, a lovely slice of cake, good music, and laughter.
My favorite day since the show was yesterday. I met a client first at the salon to pick a skirt, then we headed for the consignment store to style the skirt for a family wedding.
A metallic punched-leather shoe, a pair of gold and black earrings, a gorgeous cowl-neck top that tucked and bloused over the waistband just right.
“I feel like a princess” is about the best thing I can hear. I know I’ve done my job.
I’ve talked for a few years about the importance of “play” in dressing. That it’s trying on and twirling in the mirror that unlocks great combinations that function well for our lives, that make us feel like ourselves.
I think I’m adding to that thought. Play…together.
I took some big risks this year. When tariffs rose to an additional 50%, I decided to expand my business instead of pulling back. I upped manufacturing and moved into my salon space. It’s been challenging.
But this week, I saw the vision I had when I moved into my salon come to life. It is more than a place to sell skirts. It is a place to gather.
I was sad this week because I missed you. But I have the solution. I’ve been building it for the last 16 years.
My clothes are lighthearted, gorgeous, storied pieces that add whimsy and beauty as you dress. They actually are like girlfriends - kind, sympathetic, encouraging, inspiring, fun.
My personal consignment styling appointmentsare one-on-one, high-energy, enthusiastic doses of intensive-therapeutic-educational-fun.
Now that I have my salon, appointments and events can be togetherness, laughter, dressing.
And my content (Facebook and Instagram) opens the door to my home styling studio, so we can get ready together.
I gather online. I gather here, in this newsletter. I write and post all the time, inviting you into my way of seeing clothes and dressing and beauty.
And now I have a physical place to gather, too.
I was sad because I missed you. Which is why I'm excited for the next season of settling into rhythms of selling and hosting and creating.
See you soon. XO Emily