Chapter 48 Demanding Ruby
“Hello,” Emily said, entering yet another clothing boutique, “Is Ruby around?”
The chimes rang out cheerily as she opened the door, but the woman behind the counter was not so cheery.
Emily was on the hunt for a buyer. Since her website brought no customers, she took some of her best pieces with her and showed them to smaller clothing stores around the city.
Byron had offered to help her, and she could have let Byron give her another good deal on some store space, like he had with her art studio, but she didn’t want to completely be propped up by him. If boutique owners liked her designs, she could let them sell the stuff on commission and work her way up to the big stores, or having her own business with a store front one day.
“I’m Ruby,” said the woman behind the counter. She had a girlishly pretty face with big eyes, but her mouth was set in a stern line. “Are you the one who contacted me about some dresses?”
Emily had visited a few boutiques already, and none of them were interested. She saved this store for last because it had styles that she thought looked most similar to her own.
“Yeah,” Emily said, “I really like your stuff. It’s so fun and whimsical. I thought I would show you some of my dresses.”
She pulled out an evening dress that was simple yet had some slightly funky details.
“Sorry, not interested in that one,” Ruby said, barely glancing at it.
“Okay...” Emily showed her a couple of summer dresses with pockets and some complex ruching on the front.
“Maybe those,” said the woman condescendingly. “Are you new to this area?”
“Yeah,” Emily said, “This is the first time I’m trying out my designs in the local market.”
“I don’t normally like to sell too many other brands,” said Ruby, “but these have potential.”
“Potential?” Emily was so excited that someone was at least considering her designs, but she didn’t like the implications of the word.
“The styles are always changing, my dear,” Ruby said, lifting up one of the dresses and examining it. “This might be a really good dress, but I would make it a little more 1950s.”
“Really? I thought you said the styles are changing.”
“Yes, everything is going retro,” Ruby said excitedly, “it’s the 70s and 80s that are cool now, but I’m seeing signs that it’s going back even more to the ‘50s. For those who jump on that trend before it even begins, the possibilities are unlimited.”
“The 50s, huh?” Emily was intrigued, though still not completely convinced. When she looked around the store, it did have some 1950s style garments displayed, from lustrous sheath dresses to cardigans and big poofy skirts layered with petticoats. It was a style that she liked.
“You already have a bit of a 50s thing going with those floral patterns. But you could do even more... Maybe a poodle skirt?”
“It’s going to take quite a bit of work,” Emily said, “If I remake some of these, will you take them?”
“Yes, absolutely. I could even enter them into a fashion show that’s coming up in a few days. It’s for a bunch of rising designers in the area, myself included. I’m really new to this business too, but I’ve got a lot of drive, and only the strongest are going to make it.”
“That’s for sure,” Emily said.
She had always been intimidated by the world of fashion, and it was in part because of condescending people like Ruby. It was a hugely competitive business, which was why Emily first got a job in advertising rather than risk the craziness of the fashion lifestyle.
But now she was committed. If this was a chance to have her products displayed, she was going to try to work with the changes.
“Okay, I’ll do it,” she said.
“Bring them back in a few days, dear,” said Ruby. “And I’ll display them in the store.”
Ruby did seem very demanding, but then so was everyone in the fashion industry. Emily sighed, deciding that reworking the clothes was a sacrifice she had to make.
