I remember earlier in my retail career, whenever I felt too bogged down in paperwork, I would abandon my desk and re-merchandise the selling floor. It was like mental yoga, balancing color and form without compromising focus on key items. The challenge refreshed me. Today, a little under the weather and on a publishing deadline, I decided that the best salve for my current physical and mental challenges would be to soak in a little … Read More
There has been some commentary on social media recently questioning the use of the Japanese Geisha as a reference for design. It has been called out as what some see as the glorification of women serving men. I find this perspective incredulous. It is clear that this statement precludes knowledge of the Geisha culture. These women hold a powerful place in Japanese society. The word actually translates to artisan. In his book, Geisha, A Life… Read More
Yesterday I got caught in a flash flood here in Connecticut. I was taking a riding lesson when a wicked downpour exploded over the ring. Thunder and lightning forced an immediate dismount. By the time we got the horses back to the barn, there was water everywhere and rising fast. We took refuge in the hayloft to wait it out. That storm defies the fact that summer is over even if this weekend is the … Read More
It’s funny how the generations roll over on each other. There seems to be this timeless lock, inexplicable in its emotional impact, but clarified by the familial items that anchor our memories. I have been thinking a lot about my mother since my grandson was born. She was such a wonderful grandmother: we used to call her Mary Poppins. There she would be, crawling on the floor under a card table fort in her perfectly … Read More
By Ali Cudby
Coup de Foudre is one of the only luxury lingerie stores in Washington DC, located in the heart of downtown, just steps from the famed Ford’s Theater. In 2011, owner Kiersten Butterfield purchased the store from the woman who originally opened in 2004.
The store was originally focused on high-end sleepwear, but customer demand drove the business in the direction of bra fitting. After a couple of years, bra fitting became “the … Read More
