A 16+ year love story

It all started, as I’m sure many modern love stories do, with a little black dress.  The year was 2007 and I was about to graduate from college. Every time I walked down Third Street, there it was, in the window of this boutique, and something about it just screamed “I am the dress.” You know, THE dress. The one that will be perfect for countless occasions. The one that will seamlessly launch you into adulthood. The one that is perfect for weddings or fundraisers, or the myriad of other social gatherings one would find themselves attending.  (Yes, I was 21 and living in a small town in Oregon, but one forgets how much FRIENDS and Sex and the City shaped our ideas of what life in our early adult years would be.)   

I can’t remember how expensive it was, but I know I used some of my graduation money on it, because I knew, even then, that life would be better with this dress. It was made entirely of tulle, but sculpted in such an elegant way. The perfect v neck, and ruched waist…   It’s still in my closet 16 years later. Though it hasn’t been my size for quite some time, it IS the dress that I wore to countless weddings, events, fundraisers and the ballet multiple times, and I’m sure its one I will never part with.

Flash forward to 2014, and the story continues, this time with a love letter of sorts. The ever dreaded cover letter. Though I think we can all agree that there is nothing more painful to write than a cover letter trying to explain to someone why you are the perfect fit for a job. Yes, I’ve successfully written several over the last twenty odd years, but I’ve only ever written one that actually enjoyed writing… for a position at Mes Amies. Here it is.

To the Ladies of Mes Amies,

Hands down, I would adore this job. You know me, my shopping habits, and how much time I have spent in your store over the past years (and how much time I’ve spent there accessorizing my mother.) I love the direction you are going with the merchandise, the brands you carry, the displays that you execute, and the overall customer experience you cultivate at the shop.

I started working in a store similar to Mes Amies back in Montana when I was 16, and have had customer service/ retail jobs ever since. Though I have a degree in Creative Writing, and worked planning events for several years, I have a very strong retail background. I helped manage and merchandise the gift shop at Red Ridge Farms for nearly five years, worked at the Linfield Bookstore throughout college, held retail jobs in high school, have worked at the yoga shop over at 4 elements, and continue to help merchandise Red Hills Market. I’m familiar with small, locally owned businesses, am not afraid of hard work, and I love interacting with customers. I’m comfortable making suggestions, I have an eye for things that go together and what looks good on people, and I’m 100% happy promoting your store and the business that you have built. I’m perfectly content with working on small projects during the slower times (Dusting? Organizing? Displays? Social media updates? Dusting again? I’ve got it covered.) I’m also quite familiar with Downtown, local events, and happenings in the Willamette Valley, which I think is a huge asset when working in customer service. I like connecting with customers, making every interaction feel personal, and my goal is to always have customers leave feeling better than when they walked in (even if they don’t purchase anything). Also, I make a pretty mean latte.

Though I adore my job at Red Hills Market, it doesn’t really satisfy my wardrobe creativity… I have closets full of amazing pieces, but always default to my jeans and tee shirts for work. I would love an excuse to put on my other set of “real” clothes, and be able to dress like a grown up again. (Not just on my days off)

I’ve always been a little bit of a fashion geek, and remember spending my high school days wistfully dreaming about being in my twenties, living in some place a little more chic than rural Montana, (because, obviously girls in their twenties could pull off knee high riding boots and blazers… Le sigh) I was such a nerd, but sometimes I think about this as I walk down 3rd street, sporting the Frye boots I purchased at your store. I made it to be that girl in my twenties.

This is one of the things that I love about fashion. How it can start as this ideal, something we aspire to, and when we finally get that perfect pair of boots, or that shirt dress, or whatever it is that completes this ensemble that we’ve had playing in our heads, it acts as a catalyst… It brings out a sense of confidence.  (Sure it’s a confidence we had all along, but sometimes you just need the right shoes/sunglasses/scarf whatever.)

The very first purchase I made after I graduated from college was a black, tulle, Nicole Miller dress I saw in your window. Somehow I just felt like everything would be ok, and I could go out and thrive in the world if I had that timeless black dress. And mostly it has been true. (There are other factors of course…)  That dress has been with me through boyfriends and breakups, various jobs, different roommates and countless moves, and it’s still my go to dress when I need a touch of elegance.

I’ve always viewed fashion and style as a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. You try different pieces together, until suddenly something fits, it works together, and you start to see the bigger picture. With just a slight tweak, a totally mundane outfit can be transformed into a polished and finished look. Voila! Sometimes all it takes is a small addition (or sometimes an editing eye) to give an outfit that sense of je ne sais quoi. Not every one understands this, my mother included, and I love being able to help her accessorize and open up her mind to try new outfits and combinations. I think I could help other women do this as well, and would love the opportunity to try.  

As I’ve matured and continued to develop my own ideas about fashion, beauty, and style, I’ve discovered that the kind of woman I want to be is one who is confidant, poised, and comfortable; and just about everything in Mes Amies fits this criteria. I love that I can walk in there and find something to wear to a wedding or formal occasion, or maybe just pick up a casual tee shirt to throw on with jeans, or a dress or tunic to wear between yoga classes.  The merchandise is so versatile, and there is literally something in there for just about every demographic and age group. I would love to be a representative of your store and start building a rapport with the local clientele. I know my schedule might be a bit more limited than what you are looking for, but I truly believe that I would be a good fit for the Mes Amies team.

Thank you so much for your consideration, and thank you for having such a dreamy store that makes shopping locally a delight.

Sincerely,

Tayler Brisbin

And as they say, the rest is history.  I was the manager of the shop for nearly five years…. After dabbling in non-profit work, managing the local Farmers Market, and learning a ton about economic development, I was able to come back and purchase Mes Amies. Being back on the floor in that dreamy store, interacting with customers on a daily basis, taking over the buying, crafting displays… I’m savoring every moment of this business love story.