I had forgotten what it was like to work in retail during the holiday season!  The last time I worked in this field (outside of the Postal Service) was about 1985!  I was a clerk at The Vogue store in Flint, MI.  I worked an astronomical amount of hours every day and it was a happening store so we were very busy.  It was a great environment for any 22 year old to work and I think in some ways was the inspiration for my store.  That was a time when service was paramount, gift wrapping was it’s own department and shopping THERE was a privilege. 

Some things have remained the same.  I am very customer service oriented so when you step foot in A Girly Girl, expect to be treated like royalty.  The one thing I really enjoy is seeing a face light up when they are buying a great gift for someone they love.  It  is a wonderful feeling to know that they have chosen something special for someone special from my store!  Better yet, it puts a pleasant smile on their face when they realize it can be gift wrapped also.

WE DID IT!

 It has been fourteen years since I have produced a fashion show so I was very excited when I got the opportunity to produce one again.  It is an element I wanted to incorporate into the store, but didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

Last Thursday, five models pulled it off successfully, four of which were new.  Attitudes Hair Salon on Bay Road did an excellent job on the girls hair and Gabrielle and I applied the makeup.  The show took place at The Coast on Gratiot in Shields. 

Wednesday, the ladies all came in to try on clothes.  After we decided on their wardrobe for the show, we practiced some runway techniques.  I tried, in a very short period to work on posture, the walk, and a pose with a turn.  It’s a good thing they are all quick studies.  Practice was made even more pleasurable by the presence of Cristina’s daughter, Alexa.  She found a hair piece from Hair A La Carte, put it on with a hat and started working the runway like she owned it.  Instant stardom!  We put her at the beginning of the show.

Thursday, I spent the entire day preparing the clothes.  Each piece had to be labelled for the model, steamed and bagged for transportation.  I was pretty busy in the store also, so it made for a hectic day, but it was a good feeling.  The girls started arriving at the salon at five pm for their hairstyles.  I have to tell you that the stylists did an exceptional job, going above and beyond.  It was truly a pleasure to work with such professionals.  When their hair was finished, back to the store for makeup and then off to the coast.

 The ladies room at The Coast was fashion central as soon as we got there!  Alex, our photographer, set up a screen in front of the bathroom and we hauled all of the clothes in on a rolling rack.  The DJ spun some great tunes for the show and it went off without a hitch.  The only problem; there was no step for the stage.  It made it a little difficult to get up and down, but the girls tackled that dilema very gracefully. 

So now it is in my blood again!  Look out Saginaw because A Girly Girl will be out there.  And what does that mean?  I will need some more models!  I am looking for girls to train to do runway shows.  I plan on bringing many shows to the area in the coming year, and will try to raise money for charity by doing so.  Get ahold of me if you are interested.  I have already recruited two girls, but need more.

Cheers to the runway!!