MaryB and the City

Fashion night out.

On my first day at the job as a Brand Manager for a pet products company, I knew my boss and I would get along just fine.

Her cell phone started ringing; Sex & the City’s theme song blasted from the pink-cased iphone — her custom ring tone for incoming calls. Then and there, we’d become sole mates.

One might think it is hard to make pet gadgets appear sexy, but oh no ~ her department oversees the fashion and fun category.

A few months later, she recycled (two bags) of stilettos from her closet to moi. You see, she was running out of room in the shoe closet. The shoe closet that was custom built by her husband. God bless that man.

During our weekly status meetings, we inevitably dish about something…anything fashion-related before diving into business; complimenting my styling choice on that particular day, eyeing her new fabulous chunky necklace, or asking the other to ‘be on the look out’ for XYZ garment while ‘in the [shopping] field.’

Many more months passed, and she introduced me to Anthropologie. Previously it was a store I never paid any attention to because, frankly, my budget didn’t allow for us to seriously date ~ or even casually court for that matter. But you see, Krista is an SSS: savvy, strategic shopper. She became my personal mentor…a store ambassador if you will. 

In all of my life, I’ve never met anyone who possesses such thoughtful, calculated, premeditated skills like her, including: micro-monitoring the Anthro web site for sales (note: discounts are coveted to come by as many pieces cinch the wallet), calling in outfits [brilliant!] to be placed on hold as soon as they do go on sale…until she can physically make it into the store for pick-up, saving the only coupon they distribute annually (birthdays) and cashing it in when their semi-annual sale launches to double-up on savings at check-out, and last but not least — on occasion, purchasing in cash so the husband won’t be privy to her palpable passion via the bank statement.

During a very important writing conference I attended in the spring, knowing I’d be meeting editors, agents, and authors, I took it upon myself to check out the inventory and acquired some adorable, affordable reduced ticket pieces.

The selection crosses many style tastes ~ from 1950’s-esqe dresses, to sophisticated attire, to sassy palates, to polished/conservative ensembles. Even the showroom’s backdrop is inviting; think Pottery Barn full of clothing racks and comfy chairs to rest upon between fitting room visits.

My boss continues to fill me in whenever she spots an eye-catching garment, a “wish list” item taken down in price, or strictly to co-gush over lovely frocks.

It didn’t really surprise me the day she squealed, “I’m going to be in a fashion show!! My sales gal at Anthro asked if I would participate.”

Krista is beautiful — I mean, really, really Barbie Doll beautiful. She’s also really, really short. But given the fact she’s such a loyal customer, can rock 5” heels like no one’s business, and exudes serious confidence, the invitation was a no-brainer in my envious humble opinion.

New York City lives in my heart, and although I couldn’t make it to The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, my local runway show would happily serve as a sufficient supplement. Here is a snapshot of the Fashion Night Out, starting with my favorite finds on the floor, followed by what I intrepret to be classified: Boho-Chic.

anthropologie, fall 2011 collection.