The Valentino boutique was in the Piazza della Signoria, the square outside the Palace Vecchio – the town hall of Florence for the last 700 years, and the site of one of Florence’s most famous museums.
The square was also home to some of the most expensive clothing boutiques in all of Florence. Across from Valentino was Chanel… and on the other side of the plaza were stores for both Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana.
I looked in their windows like a little child at Christmastime –
But I couldn’t contain my excitement, so I hurried into Valentino.
For me, it was like entering a cathedral.
My whole life and all my dreams centered around fashion…
And this was one of the most important places in all of Italy.
The walls were grey marble flecked with white, the better to showcase the stunning colors. There was a section for purses, and shoes, and everyday streetwear –
But what made me catch my breath was the dresses.
On the walls were pictures of past designs by Valentino, worn by some of the most famous supermodels in the history of fashion. Elle MacPherson, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Gisele Bündchen, Iman, Linda Evangelista…
And the actresses and singers! Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Anne Hathaway, Miley Cyrus, Sienna Miller, Jennifer Garner, Kim Cattrall back in her Sex and the City heyday…
I was suddenly eight years old again.
Back then, I’d believed the most I could hope for was to create my own designs.
But my family was so poor, and I felt like such an ugly duckling…
That I never thought I could actually BE one of those women in other designers’ beautiful dresses.
But tonight…
I would be.
A chic saleswoman presented the dresses one by one.
I doubt she would have normally given the time of day to a girl in a thrift-store outfit…
But she took one look at Adriano’s Hugo Boss suit and knew what was up.
There was one particular dress she showed me that was stunning –
But as soon as I saw the price tag, my eyes bugged out. “Oh no.”
“You like that one,” Adriano said. “I can see it on your face.”
“It’s fine – ”
Adriano spun me around to look at him. “What’s the problem?”
I whispered, “It’s 14,000 euros.”
“So?”
I stared at him. “…so?!”
“Go try it on.”
“No – ”
“GO… TRY… IT ON.”
That voice.
Warmth rippled through my body.
“…okay…” I murmured, and the saleswoman led me to the changing rooms.
Five minutes later, I walked out shyly.
When Adriano turned and saw me, he stared.
“Madonn,” he murmured.
He liked it.
I liked it, too.
It was gorgeous. The flowing lines, the cut of the bodice, the spaghetti straps, the folds of the fabric…
And it shimmered like red fire under the lights.
“That’s the one,” Adriano said to the saleswoman.
I wanted it –
I wanted it more than anything else I’d ever wanted in my entire life, besides him…
But the price…
“Adriano,” I protested –
“I’m not just buying it for you,” he said as he looked deep into my eyes. “I’m buying it for me, too… because I like looking at you wearing it.”
“…yeah?”
“You’re a goddess,” he whispered, and kissed me softly.
I smiled so big it hurt my face.
Adriano looked at the saleswoman. “We need the alterations for tonight. 7 PM.”
“Of course – I’ll have our seamstress start immediately.”
“It fits really well just the way it is,” I said shyly, not wanting everybody to make a big fuss over little ol’ me.
“I can see that,” he chuckled. “But might as well have it fit perfectly.”
“We’ll need to see how tall you are in heels,” the saleswoman said. “Do you have a pair you’re planning to wear?”
“No.”
“Then I have just the thing.”
I told her my shoe size and she walked out of the room. A minute later, she brought back a pair of heels in the exact same shade of red as the dress.
They were beautiful… stiletto heels with tiny metal studs on the straps…
A bit of punk sensibility to go with the classical lines of the dress.
And they fit perfectly.
“I love them,” I gushed.
“Good!” the saleswoman said. “Now we can plan accordingly.”
“But how much are they?” I asked worriedly.
Before she could answer, Adriano warned her, “Not a word.”
She closed her mouth and smiled.
Adriano looked at me. “You deserve them. That’s all you need to know.”
I kissed him deeply… and then disappeared into the back so the seamstress could work her magic.
