Pam's gift to me! The "Skeleton" clutch that I dreamed about... made specially with Lucite Beads on the Zipper pull. Inside was a vintage limited edition FC t-shirt from the '80's!
We devoured the most indulgent "bye!" cupcakes, then it was time for my toast:
Fashion Crimes is the biggest thing - and the biggest honour - that has happened to me in my life. Over the past 7 years I was given the opportunity to apply all that I could offer, to ignite imaginative ideas and to have REAL responsibility in every aspect of my career. I have discovered my personal strengths, met best friends, and have been introduced to the man I will soon call my husband through this place that has been the center of my universe.
The environment at FC is like therapy. It is stunning, magical and so special. Day after day, year after year I have witnessed customers & staff walk into the store in awe. Being surrounded by the art that Pam has created in her “museum” of sorts took away any thoughts of stress or discouragement, heartbreak or sadness that we sometimes all encounter in life.
Being the “mother-hen” of this setting has literally been a dream come true. I have discovered that I LOVE working with people, helping people, and love to be the one who has to keep it all together until the next question or challenge arises. Challenges LIKE:
- Having irate customers throw objects (phones, wallets, hangers etc) at you
- Cleaning bodily excrement from changeroom curtains
- Admiring and attempting to contain Pam’s merchandising explosions
- Dealing with drunk staff members on saturday mornings
- Accidentally hiring someone when I WAS under the influence...
- Working with BFF’s
- Dealing with personal growing pains outside of work; and through these hard times trying to maintain the devotion it takes to be a strong leader
Obviously there is a contrasting list, the list of the things that I haven’t quite figured out how I am going to live without:
- Professionally interacting with Pam's brilliance every day
- Being a part of our client's special life experiences, and the fullfillment of helping them find the perfect dress
- Working with BFF’s
- The smiles, enthusiasm and PASSION exuding from the women (and man) around me:
Kat’s VOICE! STYLING TALENTS! & vast, quirky imagination & of course, accent
Carrie’s effortless talent to put words together in the perfect phrase or sentence.
Melissa’s utterly selfless character and what it means to share appreciation of Joni Mitchell
Carly’s ability to contrast such lovely “cuteness” with such vulgar & dark humour
Cha-Cha’s determination. and morbid laugh in which it sounds like she’s drowning
Carolyn’s grace and inconceivable optimism
Logan’s sparkling flow of ideas, creativity and obvious drive to achieve life goals. (Also, thanks for teaching me what it’s like to work with something other than estrogen!)
Bee’s comforting nature, and major grounding elements.
Lindsay’s stone-cold honest approach to life and capacity to inspiring those around you only to exude fabulousness everyday!
Hilary’s capability to look perfectly put together as though she stepped out of a magazine everyday
Sarah’s confidence and poise are truly exquisite
Laura - Only having worked one shift with you - I’m sorry that we wont be spending more time at FC! From what I can see your quirkiness and OBVIOUS love of glamour will fit perfectly with this incredible team.
Pam - Over 7 years ago before my career at FC I caught a glimpse of you and was like a deer caught in the headlights! You are an inventor, an innovator and a true creative. Through getting to know you as a friend in addition to my boss I believe this to be true. The fact that I got to be mentored and inspired by you every day is something that I will be forever thankful for.
I read an essay today by JK Rowling (roaring laughter by Carolyn inserted here),
