THE RAVE Okay, okay, I’ve done my penance for saying horrible things about Alexander McQueen. Whether for the House of Givenchy, or for his signature collection, McQueen always has something to say, and he minces no words. Spring/Summer 2000 is no exception. The current theme, since McQueen must have a theme to organize his visions of glamour, is a protest against the oppression of Islamic women. On a runway covered with black water that symbolized an oilfield, with enormous, threatening spikes rising from it, the show began with exotic beauties in jeweled gowns and veils. Revealing only their eyes, the models swooped and dove, suspended by wires above the petroleum pit and the spikes, in a tableau whose meaning was clear. For a look that was Middle Eastern in context, but with a definite Western styling, McQueen gave us every possible variation on the now-you-see-it/now-you-don’t theme, epitomized by the veiled faces and bare midriffs. A continual detail was bellbottoms with the fronts cut away over the knee in the shape of a Moslem arch, embellished with magnificent mosaic embroideries. Designers pray for this kind of inspiration, and there are so many approaches to achieving the final product, but McQueen is a showman extraordinaire, and even now, during the catastrophic demise of the three-ring runway show, McQueen reigns supreme, providing eye-popping spectacles in clothing as well as shows. It was through these very devices that fashion became theatre originally, but the excesses of the Eighties and early Nineties have engendered a backlash. More and more, designers are returning to their own small salons to give their shows, an economical throwback to the days when Coco Chanel would watch her own shows, nervously peering through the balustrade of her famous staircase. Soignée models with haute demeanor paraded the dresses down the runway, with the style number of the dress prominently displayed to intimate groups of wealthy, stylish women who were there to actually buy clothes. The big plus to this is that the salon shows aren’t nearly as mind-bogglingly expensive as the big shows, and there’s the added benefit that the viewers actually get to see your clothes — even touch them, since the shows are intended for smaller groups and can be performed several times. But I digress ….
SERVICE WITH A SMILE As you may know, I am obsessed with receiving good customer service. But lest you fear that I am a shrieking harpy of a customer, let me say that being demanding of good customer service demands that you, in turn, be a good customer. Being a good customer does not mean spending a lot of money, or shopping at the same place all the time. It means conducting yourself in a decent manner and behaving respectfully toward the establishment and its employees. Having an attitude of graciousness and understanding goes a long way toward ensuring that you’ll be treated the same. These rules seem simple enough, and if we all behaved this way, in addition to receiving merchandise and services worthy of our hard-earned dollars, we’d all live in consumer heaven. But for every establishment that’s willing to offer slipshod service and merchandise, there are also a half-dozen customers with nothing better to do than subject some hapless waitress or department store clerk to sheer misery just for trying to perform a service. And you can almost always tell right off the bat when you get one of those characters, with their pissy expressions of pursed lips and arched brows. But it’s far too late by then. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve done your job competently or not. The lips get more pursed and the eyebrows are moving like the hands of a clock, and suddenly the smell of trouble is as potent as a catbox on a warm day. And all because Mrs. X is unhappy with her own life, or Mr. Y hates his job. At that point, there is no solving of problems occurring. Only another charming psychodrama created by someone with way too much time on their hands. Workers in service and retail operations have names for customers like that. They’re called “a**holes.” Don’t be one.
I COVER THE STOREFRONT The Discovery Channel Store (Highland Mall) has “smart fun” for all ages, with merchandise as diverse as the Discovery Channel itself. From beautiful calligraphy sets and hand-painted picture frames, to aviator jackets and life-sized skeleton replicas, the range is broad, and it’s a great place to give the kids a few dollars to spend and to entertain yourself as well. A knowledgeable and friendly staff makes it a worthwhile shopping experience — a rarity at any mall.
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This article appears in November 19 • 1999.