What a wonderful piece! My one big fashion love affair was with a local (Bay Area) brand, Babette, that sadly closed up shop in 2016 after 48 years in business and without ever selling out to a bigger company. My affair started with a casual flirtation -- shopping for bargains at the San Francisco outlet store -- but I eventually became so smitten that I offered to work in one of the Babette shops when the manager took a vacation. I earned $25 an hour, a generous wage back then, but I probably would have done it for free. I got to know the designer/owner, Babette Pinsky, and started writing for her. (The Babette Gazette was our short-lived newsletter.) I even ghost-wrote the text for the company's 40th-anniversary hardcover book. The clothes? Think Issey Miyake, but American. Lots of creative pleating. The factory in Oakland had a giant pleating machine that I was told was essentially the same equipment used in ancient Egypt. Other garments were pleated by hand. Everyone earned a living wage. I still own many of the pieces I bought over the years, and (incredibly) am still collecting specimens on eBay and in consignment shops. I'll probably never experience that kind of brand love again.
I had to Google you because after reading your article I was SURE you are a Scorpio. I am one week shy of being a year younger than you (and I used to be a redhead but am gracefully graying). That passion,, when finding something new, more than one color of the same item....it all sounded so familiar. 😁 I truly enjoyed this piece! I hope you are much relieved of your migraine. Dark, quiet room, chilled aloe pack over eyes and rest.
Well, one thing we have in common is we are both looking forward to reading Tommy Orange's new novel. [If the author is the brand, and the book is the product, then I don't want to break up with brands like Orange and Orlean.] But I'll never spend money on designer clothes when I can spend it on books.
I too am a migraineur, mostly under control now with monthly injections of Ajovy. Kaiser no longer prescribes pain relief for me (and most others), so I use an ice pack I can wear on my head, and the usual dark room/quiet/etc. Take good care ad be kind to yourself.
I used to shop in that W 86th St. Gap in the early 1980s. I still miss an impossibly soft pink and grey flannel shirt I bought at that store. On one icy day, I slipped at the store entrance and literally fell into the Gap, per the ad campaign at the time. While I was on the ground (I'd fractured an elbow) someone stole my purse. Ah NY! Hope you feel better soon.
Everything is making sense now. I grew up on West 85th, went to that Gap and Charivari (which I also forgot about until right now!) You are really making me time travel and I love it. These days I’m an obsessive book-buyer. I have a stack I need and want to read but that doesn’t stop me from buying more. I guess it’s a fine problem to have. Also guessing you’ve tried rizatriptan? That usually does the trick for me. I’d never know you had a migraine while writing this 🤍
Nilli Lotan. Alexandra Chung via Poshmark, so that was an inexpensive version except her burbury collab which resulted in an amazing trench coat that I … have never found a way to wear but still treasure. The tshirts of Free City (again thank you Poshmark) are my current obsession and… I know I know… Goop. Goop very carefully, bc I have learned that if it looks like it might be made with a weird and uncomfortable fabric it is. Mistakes have been made. Expensive ones (also learned: sweater cuffs should work as cuffs, not hang open for all the water to drip down when you do dishes which maybe suggests that I do not have a Goop lifestyle). But if it works it WORKS.
Loved The Library Book, Susan. Grateful you're on Substack. Please support budding authors here as everyone is doing their best in a crazy, wacko publishing market. It's always a pleasure to read your work. cheers, Mike
For migraine I recently switched to an oldie but goodie, Fioricet. Works like magic for me, replaced Sumatriptan. Very individual, in my experience. Good luck!
What a wonderful piece! My one big fashion love affair was with a local (Bay Area) brand, Babette, that sadly closed up shop in 2016 after 48 years in business and without ever selling out to a bigger company. My affair started with a casual flirtation -- shopping for bargains at the San Francisco outlet store -- but I eventually became so smitten that I offered to work in one of the Babette shops when the manager took a vacation. I earned $25 an hour, a generous wage back then, but I probably would have done it for free. I got to know the designer/owner, Babette Pinsky, and started writing for her. (The Babette Gazette was our short-lived newsletter.) I even ghost-wrote the text for the company's 40th-anniversary hardcover book. The clothes? Think Issey Miyake, but American. Lots of creative pleating. The factory in Oakland had a giant pleating machine that I was told was essentially the same equipment used in ancient Egypt. Other garments were pleated by hand. Everyone earned a living wage. I still own many of the pieces I bought over the years, and (incredibly) am still collecting specimens on eBay and in consignment shops. I'll probably never experience that kind of brand love again.
,
I had to Google you because after reading your article I was SURE you are a Scorpio. I am one week shy of being a year younger than you (and I used to be a redhead but am gracefully graying). That passion,, when finding something new, more than one color of the same item....it all sounded so familiar. 😁 I truly enjoyed this piece! I hope you are much relieved of your migraine. Dark, quiet room, chilled aloe pack over eyes and rest.
Well, one thing we have in common is we are both looking forward to reading Tommy Orange's new novel. [If the author is the brand, and the book is the product, then I don't want to break up with brands like Orange and Orlean.] But I'll never spend money on designer clothes when I can spend it on books.
I too am a migraineur, mostly under control now with monthly injections of Ajovy. Kaiser no longer prescribes pain relief for me (and most others), so I use an ice pack I can wear on my head, and the usual dark room/quiet/etc. Take good care ad be kind to yourself.
I used to shop in that W 86th St. Gap in the early 1980s. I still miss an impossibly soft pink and grey flannel shirt I bought at that store. On one icy day, I slipped at the store entrance and literally fell into the Gap, per the ad campaign at the time. While I was on the ground (I'd fractured an elbow) someone stole my purse. Ah NY! Hope you feel better soon.
Everything is making sense now. I grew up on West 85th, went to that Gap and Charivari (which I also forgot about until right now!) You are really making me time travel and I love it. These days I’m an obsessive book-buyer. I have a stack I need and want to read but that doesn’t stop me from buying more. I guess it’s a fine problem to have. Also guessing you’ve tried rizatriptan? That usually does the trick for me. I’d never know you had a migraine while writing this 🤍
I am so happy that I am not alone! I’m remembering more and more… Tahari. Vince. Rag and Bone. Sigh. They got me.
Nilli Lotan. Alexandra Chung via Poshmark, so that was an inexpensive version except her burbury collab which resulted in an amazing trench coat that I … have never found a way to wear but still treasure. The tshirts of Free City (again thank you Poshmark) are my current obsession and… I know I know… Goop. Goop very carefully, bc I have learned that if it looks like it might be made with a weird and uncomfortable fabric it is. Mistakes have been made. Expensive ones (also learned: sweater cuffs should work as cuffs, not hang open for all the water to drip down when you do dishes which maybe suggests that I do not have a Goop lifestyle). But if it works it WORKS.
I love the Goop sweaters!!
Best migraine medication- Quilipta. Life altering.
I'll ask my doctor! I'm not familiar with it.
Clothes? Meh. Fountain pens...yes. Kaweco Sport is my new love.
I saw the iPhone in your hand, and my immediate thought was: Oh, no! she's breaking up with Apple! How can anyone do that?
Loved The Library Book, Susan. Grateful you're on Substack. Please support budding authors here as everyone is doing their best in a crazy, wacko publishing market. It's always a pleasure to read your work. cheers, Mike
For migraine I recently switched to an oldie but goodie, Fioricet. Works like magic for me, replaced Sumatriptan. Very individual, in my experience. Good luck!
I would happily and lovingly wear your hand-me-downs!!!
Dying to know if you ever went through a Dries van Noten phase. (Currently in the throes myself!)
I finally understand my 21 year old daughter love affair with brands, clothes, etc. Very happy to report you and her would get along...