THE FASHION DISH

Now everyone in the fashion world has heard of a little retail therapy, and yesterday I partook in probably my greatest session to date. To begin, I think everyone should know why on earth I needed this fashion remedy in the first place. This week, my mother and I, moved out of our apartment of sixteen years. It has been truly the most humbling experience. Literally everyday my mother and I have broken down into tears due to our overwhelming emotional bond to our home, and our time their dwindling to a close. In my emotional state, my mother suggested I cash in my Bendels credit, which is the setting of our scene.

After work yesterday, which consisted of ending the day at the Ann Taylor 2012 Holiday Collection preview party (more on that later), I found myself wandering Fifth Avenue with the fresh inspiration of the holiday season. As I stepped into the cool air of Henri Bendels, probably one of the greatest department stores on the face of this planet, I was taken aback by the presence of color and variation. As I cruised on overdrive through every section, I finally found “the” item I just had to have.

Enter my therapy moment: I head to the cash register, hoping to experience a quick in and out transaction, so I could continue my Fifth Ave conquest. Little did I know, I was in for a much different paying experience. The cashier and I began to strike a conversation after she asked me my reason for shopping at Bendels that day. I told her it was simply a protest movement. Struck by my answer she asked me to explain. I began by informing her about my move, my emotions towards it, and my mother’s attempt lighten my spirits with this trip to Bendels.

She asked me where I was moving to and from, and I replied I was trading a Brooklyn brownstone for a Upper West side apartment only a few blocks from there. As the words left my mouth I began to realize how truly pretentious I sounded. I was leaving Brooklyn to live in the fashion capitol of the world, a few blocks from Fifth Avenue, to a notoriously known apartment in the city with residents like my Mom’s best friend Stefano Tonchi from W magazine! (not to sound pretentious twice). It got me thinking – What was really so bad about this transition?

I realized that it was my outlook on this move that was really the problem for me, not the move itself. She laughed at my story, and said it looked like I had a fashion moment, but really it was all because of her! We talked about how she went through a very similar transition, and how it revealed to her the power of change and its necessity within maturity and life. And so, my therapy session ended with a great big hug, an Henri Bendel’s bag, and a wonderful new positive outlook on my upcoming adventure.

As I left the store, with a huge smile and the most perfect accessory for EVERY season, she called out, “Good luck to you and your mother on your mission to conquer a new city!”

Always be open to meeting new people, and opening up about how you really feel! If it weren’t for Danielle, I wouldn’t have a smile on my face today after spending my final night within our apartment.

SOPHIE KEARNEY