The quest for a dress has been a long and often exhausting process. I’d try something on and like it…mostly. But there’d be one or 2 things that I’d wish were different – love the detailing but not so diggin’ the fabric; loved the fabric but sure an empire waist detail was the most flattering; great fabric but it made me look to old; fantastic train but there was to much beading on the top; etc. etc. etc.
For a while, I was planning on purchasing the Balenciaga gown from Maggie Sottero. I LOVED the way Maggie gowns fit. Most have a corset back, so if there’s a weight flucuation, I’m still ok. She’s using a lot of innovative fabrics this season – taffetas, crushed organzas, etc. – things that are not your typical bridal silk or satin. Some (ok, lots) of her dresses are a bit over the top but there were a few that I thought could be THE one. I narrowed it down to my top 4 and poured over her website, studying pictures and memorizing descriptions, color options and style numbers. If need be, I could find any of these blindfolded!
Of the top 4, I’d only ever tried on the Balenciaga. The other 3, I just liked from the pictures and descriptions on her website. Of the unfound 3, I ranked them in preference order – Eve, Ainsley, and a 4th. I’m not giving out the name b/c I want it to be a surprise. Balenciaga is from last year’s collection and the other 3 are from her fall 2007 line. Disparately wanting to try them on, I started calling shops. First, I called everyone within 25 miles of 07102. Then within 25 miles of 08060. Then any shop in the state of NJ. Noone any had of these 3 dresses in store.
Before I expanded my search to include any salon within 100mi of 07102 or 08060, I looked on her trunk show page to see if there were any shows coming to this area. After attending an overwhelmingly disappointing “trunk show” Jefre Bridals, I didn’t set my hopes up to high for the trunk show option to work out. There were 2 Maggie Sottero Collection shows that were in this general area. And I use the word “general” very very loosely. One this weekend in Taunton, MA and one coming up from May 18-20 on LI in Patchouge.
I called the shop in Taunton and asked if they had Eve or Ainsely at this show. They had Eve but not Ainsely and were totally booked for Saturday, couldn’t take another appointment. Frustrated, I sat down with the list of authorized retailers within 100mi. One of the salons in Brooklyn didn’t have any of the gowns but could see if they could borrow it through Maggie’s loaner program. I would just have to pay shipping and could request to have any dress I want brought in. Super!!
I called Irma’s Bridal, where I first saw the Balenciaga. She said she’d call Maggie Friday. I requested to bring in Eve & Ainsely. Friday night, about 8pm, Irma calls me back. Apparently Ainsely won’t be available to loan until after it comes off the trunk show circuit (Julyish) and Eve won’t be part of the loaner program at all.
This leaves me with an immediate decision; do we drive 4.5hrs to MA – where I know they have Eve to try on? Or wait 3 weeks until the long island show and hope that these dresses are there?
About 2hrs of discussion, debate, and conversation later Rob & I decide to have an adventure. We go to sleep, only to wake up 3 short hours later at 2:30am. We’re on the road by 3:30am headed for MA. ROADTRIP!!!
We make great time and arrive about 7:30am. The shop doesn’t open until 9am, so we’ve got some time to kill. Driving around, we find the local Stop & Shop and Rob scopes out a local sneaker store. Taunton is full of big, old houses with clapboard siding and peeling paint. It looks like it was once a very upper-class neighborhood, with big yards and a small industrial economy but has since been forgotten. A fresh coat of paint would do wonders for most of the buildings.
The bridal salon, New York Lace Store, Ltd is one of the larger retailers on Main St. I’m waiting out front at 8:45am hoping to squeeze in between the scheduled appointments. There are 3 other parties waiting with me. They all have appointments.
The salon is one big open room with mauve carpet, 80’s haired mannequins, and turquoise & mauve floral wallpaper. Most fixtures are brass & glass. Their internet is down (but seems to happen often). The salesgirl greets me with a smile and says it’ll be a few minutes but they’ll fit me in; someone would be with me shortly.
I see their Maggie dresses on the 2 front racks. I recognize most from the website. Immediately, I see Eve and am disappointed. The lace on the bodice is not at ALL how I thought it looked. In person, it was very thick threads and white; reminded me of a spider web. While we are having Spidey inspired save the dates, I would like any and all spider references to stop there.
But hanging next to it is a beautiful gown with lace that reminds me of the lace I loved on the Balenciaga. The bodice has more of a drop waist look and it has the sweep pull in the back (like Eve). The train is about as long as the Balenciaga but plain, like Eve. The gorgeous lace, from the front, wraps around the bodice to the corset back. It is perfect.
Looking at the tag, I instantly recognize the style number. It was the 4th; the one I crossed off the list and didn’t bother asking about. Seeing it in person was nothing like the pictures I saw online!
When it was my turn, I pulled 4 dresses to try on. The first 2 were really just to see what they looked like. Both were pretty but all I could hear was Aunt Sarah’s voice in my head “to old, if you were getting married at 30 these would be fine but you’re not.” It as clear as if she was standing in the dressing room with me; made me chuckle to myself.
The 3rd I tried was THE dress. I knew seeing it on the hanger but once it was on, I didn’t want to take it off. I called my mother and snuck some pictures in the dressing room while the sales rep talked with another bride. I did try on Eve, just to be sure. It was pretty but nothing like the other one.
I hope this dress comes to the Patchog trunk show. I really want Mom & Rob’s mom to see it before I buy anything. Keep your fingers crossed!! Now, I just have to find the best price. And the calling continues…
