Shopping Buzz-Kill
I arrived in Milan on Saturday and immediately settled into my twice yearly ritual: Take a quick nap and check out the stores. I headed over to the Prada store where the place was filled with those diaphanous dresses and skirts from the runway. Miuccia Prada is a designer who actually stocks her store with much of what she shows on the runway. Pretty, pretty little summer dresses with fitted bodices and full skirts and the whopping price tag of 2,500 euros. Oh my.
The metallic sandals with wispy straps decorated with tiny leaves cut out of leather were stunning and they were priced at about 390 euros. That sounded a little bit better. Not exactly a bargain, but in the acceptable range of ridiculously overpriced shoes. Boy, oh boy, I hope my father didn't just read that sentence.
But then I got to thinking about my little encounter at the currency exchange booth at the airport. I know the airport isn't the best place to change money, but I needed cash for the cab and I was tired. Thomas Cook was calling my name. A wad of dollars got me next to nothing in euros. The exchange rate was 1.62 dollars to the euro. That's a seriously painful reality. It meant the shoes were practically $700. Talk about a buzz kill. And frankly, that's almost all anyone can talk about: the sinking dollar. Oh, and the American presidential election.
I thought things might look better - pricewise- over at the new Marni accessory store on via della Spiga. It was filled with shoes that looked - honestly - like they were made of plastic. I'm sure they were made of some super secret material that is both green and chic. But I didn't get it. The main store, just behind the accessory one, was stocked with the brand's signature sack dresses in multi-colored prints. The dresses looked gorgeous but all I kept thinking was how the last thing I needed in my life was another sack dress to go with the ga-zillion sack dresses already in my closet. Because yes, I drank the fashion Kool-Aid and decided that I should fill my wardrobe with dresses that look like they came from A Pea in a Pod. Now, I need a designer who believes in the hourglass figure. So off I went to Dolce & Gabbana.
I raved about the brand's spring collection, which was filled with breathtaking hand-painted dresses. I was hoping that the designers had taken that idea and transformed it into more accessible dresses with stunning floral prints. How brilliant would that be? Inside the store I found some of the hand-painted dresses. The label noted they were "limited edition" so I just backed away slowly without looking for the price tag. I might have fainted dead away.
But where oh where were the more accessible versions? Darn it, but those designers had decided to be purists. They did not water down the idea - except for a few painted splattered t-shirts. I admire the integrity and all that, but really, don't they know the exchange rate? Can't they show an American shopper a little love?
Green Absolute recipe
The shows began on Sunday and I've already got a couple under my belt. More about the shows in my story on Thursday. I arrived back at my hotel at about midnight to find that the staff had left a martini shaker, a bucket of ice, two glasses and a recipe for something called a Green Absolute. A special fashion week drink? The ingredients all appear to be in the mini bar. I was going to break into the vodka - for research purposes, of course - but held back. I need to pace myself. But for anyone interested, here's the recipe. Basically, throw it all into the shaker with ice. Serve in a tumbler garnished with lemon.
By Robin Givhan |
February 18, 2008; 8:54 AM ET
Milan
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Posted by: Robert | February 19, 2008 5:10 PM
Ms. Givhan:
Your Milan update was fun.
A piece of advice due to the sinking dollar: Head to the outlet mall and leave the full-price merch alone--until it gets marked down!
Posted by: FashionPotentate | February 20, 2008 4:15 PM
Ms. Givhan,
As I've stated on earlier postings, I'm a fan of your cultural meanderings within the fashion landscape. I have a serious question I hope you will address - as a relevant black cultural critic, I'm INTERESTED in what processes allows you to shop and wear Prada. Is it strictly as a fashion critic or is it the thingness of consumerism. As someone who has commented on the "black-free" zone of Prada World, I'm curious as to what defense mechanisms protects you when contemplating a Prada purchase. As a fine art photographer who also studied fashion and deals with issues of race/gender and or fashion, I'm planning an art attack for Fall 2008 in DC on the issue of "black-free" luxury and thought your input would be MOST valuable.
Not to pick on Prada, but in the realm of fashion Prada is major. I'm reminded of an article in Interview magazine about the wonderful book A.L.T.: A Memoir by Andre Leon Talley. Ms. Prada conducted the interview with Andre and was most inspired and interested in Mr. Talley's grandmother who figures prominently in his story. I kept hoping Mr. Talley would quiz Ms. Prada on the seeming blackout in her aesthesis. No go! And to move the issue outside of blackness for a moment, my favorite designer is Rei Kawakubo and I still find it SHOCKING...SHOCKING that she doesn't use MORE Japanese models!
It wouldn't be an issue if a far sighted industry used different girls back and forth, you inspire me, now you, now you, but hey this is the reality.
As the feminist and gay activist said, "the personal is political."
So Ms. Givhan your feedback is most appreciated.
my musings: http://lakethia.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Earl Gadberry | February 20, 2008 11:54 PM
Hey Earl Gadberry:
Maybe Ms. Givhan wants to wear Prada because she likes Prada.
You don't know how Prada -- the designer -- feels about blacks or anyone else. Quite assuming.
And let Ms. Givhan, or anyone else, enjoy their Prada!
Posted by: FashionPotentate | February 21, 2008 6:33 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Hi Robin, I love how you write, but if you're really that worried about the sinking dollar--aren't we all?--be advised that you will get a better rate if you use your ATM card to withdraw money.
All best,
Robert Diaz, Bellagio