It Happened Last Night

Something very exciting happened last night!

So I drove to Fashion's Night Out in NYC with Figgy and her friend. I took Figgy last year, too.

Let me cut to the chase. And if you're on my speed dial [Dan, Moey, Elly, Barbara, Anne] then you know this already because I texted you right after it happened. I met and spoke to Tory Burch, my favorite designer, at her boutique in the uberhip Meatpacking District! Yes, this ranks right up there with the time my friends and I saw Lucille Ball in the car next to us in L.A. and waved and talked to her.

I had seen Tory last year, too, but was too shy to step up and say something. The music is blaring, the beautiful people are out in droves. But last night, somewhere between the D.J. spinning Brick House and Play that Funky Music, I mustered up my courage. I perused the beautiful, storied Tory merchandise [made mental notes about what I like best for fall], bought my FNO tee there and then found my voice.

Her pretty blonde PR person [or other staffer] noticed that I was waiting with my little green Tory shopping bag and pen, and she turned Tory toward me. The great one--a busy mother of young boys--was wearing the Super Skinny Printed Stretch Jeans in Wally Print from the current collection, $225. [Now those I couldn't pull off.]  I started talking. I had on my long awaited and recently acquired white Tory Copper Top.

I just wanted to say I'm so glad you make XLs.

The top looks great. You look great.

Even though I'm bigger, I still love fashion, so I'm just so grateful that you make XLs.

You don't look big.

And even though I'm older, I still love fashion. So I'm so glad you make things I can wear.

You don't look old. You look great.

What's your name?

Alice.

It's such a pleasure to meet you. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I know, it's weird, but that's what happens when I feel deeply [same with  Lucy sighting]. Tory seemed to be listening very closely, and focusing only on me in that pumped-up crowd. The feeling I left with was a true gift. As is my bag, signed:
Dear Alice
Very Best!
xxTory Burch

Oh, I could tell you a lot more. About the huge crowds in Soho and the lines behind black velvet ropes at Chanel and the complimentary drinks flowing everywhere--special signature cocktails at Catherine Malandrino, and stylists from Blow doing hair there. At Chanel, free manicures. At M.A.C, muscled waiters serving trays of the world's richest, chicest button-size chocolate cakes with a tiny dab of cream on top. Stunning shoppers out en masse, young women in uptown black and white, and heels higher than I have ever seen or would ever venture to wear. Twentysomething fashionistas in short shorts with sweatery tights, men with shoulder bags slung over schoolboy jackets with piping, others in jeans and preppy shirts, watching, bemused, as their girlfriends drank it all in.

I could tell you that I was usually at least 10 feet behind Figgy and A. on the sidewalk as they explored New York in all its glamour and sampled a taste of doing it on their own at night. I panicked if I lost sight of Figgy's black ruffly hairband and A.'s curly hair in the thick crowds. I could tell you about the body guards, and the gorgeous hair models, and the flashing cameras. Or about Figgy's new professional black camera, the one she bought used [but looks new] on Amazon with her birthday money and wore on a strap around her neck. She took lots of photos last night, on the streets, in the subway station and in boutiques.

I could tell you so much, but as usual, I've overscheduled my day and Punch & Judy is here for a sleepover and Figgy is waiting downstairs and, and, and. Sigh.

But what I really want to tell you is that I've met some famous fashion designers before and that none of them seemed as sweet and genuine as Tory Burch did. I am so relieved! But should not be surprised. How could an icy, distant person design clothing this heartfelt and beautiful?

Money Notes
I would have loved to buy so many things, but I couldn't, so filed them in my mind for future reference.

We even lucked out with parking. Left Clifton at about 6:10 and snagged a free corner space just steps away from the Tory Boutique on Little West 12th Street. Spent:

1. $8 to go through Lincoln Tunnel
2. $15.75 for three of us to take the E train two stops to Soho and back [we had to buy an extra ride b/c we had a problem swiping the card at one turnstyle]
3. $25 for my official Fashion's Night Out tee, purchased at Tory Burch and packed in the great green Tory shopping bag [all tee proceeds go to AIDS charity]
4. $15.79 for the lip tint with SPF that I bought at the jammed M.A.C@Soho store.
5. $10 to give empty gas tank a guzzle on way home

Total: $74.59

Better run. Note to self: Fashion dreams do come true.