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Lulu will show you how it's done. (ultimafury) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-02-18 02:17:00

Who: Lulu and Judy Martin.
What: Dress shopping.
When: Wednesday afternoon (2/13)
Where: Fayth.
Rating: PG.
Status: Complete!



Ever since she’d seen the press release in the paper a week ago, Judy had known where to take Oliver on their date. A new place called Piccolo had opened up in Villa Park, and she’d known immediately that the Mad Men style feel would be a hit. Retro looks, comfort food and even a cigar bar in the back. She kind of wanted to look the part, as well - not costumed, but maybe a dress with a 50s feel. The things her mother had worn.

She’d gotten a tip about a little dress shop over in Mission Viejo that sometimes did the kind of thing she was looking for. So she’d driven by, and was now walking in the storefront of Fayth, which was a cute boutique. Some of the stuff just wasn’t for her, but she could see some things where the style might suit.

One of Lulu’s floor staff came into her office to let her know that a new client was in the store. Lulu liked to at least speak with people who looked like they were completely new, as well as her regulars. Her attentiveness was what had built her customer retention.

With Pepsi padding at her heels, Lulu walked out to greet the newcomer. She was stunning, and Lulu smiled. “Welcome to Fayth,” she murmured, her voice quiet, calm, and lower than most people expected, a throaty alto. “Were you looking for anything specific?”

Judy raised an eyebrow at the dog standing there - unusual - but smiled at the pretty woman. “Yes. Hi. A friend recommended you to me. I’m looking for something to wear for a date. We’re going to a place that’s vintage themed - like Mad Men style, 1950s. Figured I’d try to match it a little.”

“We certainly have some garments already made that would suit that description, or I could make something custom for you.” Lulu smiled, extending her hand. “Lulu Webster, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Judy Martin. Likewise.” She smiled. “I’m not sure what your time frame might be. I need it in a few days, so maybe something that’s already made would be better.” She chuckled, joking a little. “He’s younger than me, so I’d like to look extra nice.” The dog was nosing at her hand and she couldn’t help but look down. “Hey, there. Don’t have anything for you, handsome.”

“If it’s a dress, I can do it in two.” Lulu smiled, shrugging a shoulder. “I like to focus on all of the custom work myself.” But her dog made her laugh. “Oh, Pepsi’s just an attention hound, he’s making up for all of the time he lost in the shelter. If he bothers you, let me know, he’s very well behaved.” Lulu snapped a finger and the dog sat.

“I had a dog who looked like that, once upon a time.” Judy smiled. “Same face. What a good boy.” She scritched Pepsi’s ears, right at the top where her old dog Sasha had liked it. “But yeah, with the dress. I had thought something like this picture I found.” She rummaged in her purse, coming up with her phone and turning it on. “Something like the blue dress in this pattern is what I was thinking.” Slim skirt, slim waist, long sleeves and wide collar. It would play up her legs and her collarbone area - her two best features. “Maybe just a little shorter on the skirt.”

Lulu nodded. “Of course. You’ve got lovely legs, you should play them up. Maybe an inch or two shorter on the neckline as well. Would you like the same color?” Lulu motioned for Judy to come follow her into the room where she kept her fabric samples.

“Darker blue,” Judy said immediately. “Or purple. That light blue would wash me out, I’m thinking.” She couldn’t help but smile as the dog turned around and trotted after his mistress. “I’m too used to dressing for professional events, though. I worked on Capitol Hill for almost two decades, so that’s what I’m used to, not like … date wear.”

“Darker blue would bring out your eyes,” Lulu smiled, immediately pulling out bolts that she thought would suit. “Mmm, the structuring on business suits is quite different from what one would use to seduce. I’m lucky, I get to wear whatever I want to work.”

Judy chuckled. “Definitely. And of course, you work on Capitol Hill and you’re a woman, you have to add even more shoulder pads and all that crap. It’s just anthropology. You look great, but I can’t wear that kind of thing anymore, if I ever could.” This woman wasn’t in her twenties, though. Judy had to admit, Lulu looked great in what she was wearing.

Lulu wrinkled her nose. “I never did understand the desire to acquire what Westerners perceive as power - capitalistic gains, of course - via traditional gender normative masculinity.” She’d done everything for her business while wearing a corset and red lipstick, and she’d continue to do so until she quit.

“Are you from the East?” She meant it conversationally; the woman was beautiful, but she didn’t look Far Eastern. “I got my foot in the door at the local level, and then my parks commissioner in my little town got himself elected state senator, then senator. I unfortunately figured out that you have to dress like a man if you want to be seen as anything more than a secretary. But at least I had some of them scared of me before I got axed.”

She said it with pride - she was proud of it, damn it. Capitol Hill heavyweights having to deal with a no bullshit female from the rough side of Boston before anything could get done.

“Oh, no, it’s just that standards of femininity are different all over the globe. I’m glad you put the fear of god into them.” Lulu grinned, sitting down to sketch the dress. It didn’t take long since she had one to go on, and she showed the finished product to Judy, beaming.

Judy grinned right back. “A few of them.” She would have said more, but then Lulu turned the sketch pad toward her and her eyebrows rose. “That’s … kind of perfect, actually.” It was the same pattern in a deep purple, with the same wide collar, but tucked down just a couple inches. The skirt was slim but ended right above the knee instead of right below. “I think that’ll be great. You think it’ll impress a guy in his mid thirties?” She didn’t think Oliver was going to dress the part, but there was no reason she couldn’t.

“I think it’d impress a man in his late teens.” Lulu smiled broadly. “You’re stunning. You’ll have to deal with charming men of all ages, alas.”

“You’re nice to say it.” Judy chuckled. “How long have you been in business here? I just moved to this area, but I had multiple people recommend this place to me. Apparently you’re popular.”

“I’m simply honest,” Lulu smiled. “I’ve been in business here for ... oh, about ten years? It took off recently, I dressed a celebrity for a function.”

“Ah. Gotcha. I guess it only takes one, but still.” Judy was looking around. “I like supporting local businesses, so you can be sure I’ll be back if this one works out. Assuming I can afford it.” That wasn’t a plea for a discount; she could just see that some of the price tags were in the quadruple digits.

“I prefer to make dresses that people can afford that they’ll love. I don’t believe in sacrificing quality for price.” Lulu smiled. “The more expensive things are made of more expensive material, simple as that.” She thought to herself as she looked for a fabric that would be functional and beautiful, deciding on a silk-looking charmeuse.

“But doing this design is feasible in a couple of days?” She didn’t want to make the woman rush. Judy understood that good things took time. And the workmanship didn’t look shoddy at all. “I can save it for another time, if I have to.”

“It is.” She smiled and held up a bolt of the decided upon blue. “How about this? I can line it if you don’t want this next to your skin.” Lulu always thought of touches like that. “Lined in red, that would be stunning.”

“How about the dark purple lined in red? I think that’s a great idea.” She knew she was fair, so the dramatic colors would suit. “God, you’re smart.”

“Exactly.” Lulu smirked, then laughed at Judy’s compliment. “So I’m told.” She jotted down a price, passing it over to Judy. She’d lowered it a bit, if only because she liked the woman.

Judy looked at it, and nodded. “That’s more than fair, for a custom job at a rush.” She chuckled. “I’m kinda hoping Oliver freaks out.”

“If he doesn’t, I’ll knock some money off of the price.” Lulu winked. “Do you need a garter belt?”

“Good thinking. I was going to see if I could wear regular tights, but stockings are better for retro style.” To say nothing of the fact that she had nice legs and she could flash a little thigh, with the slit in the skirt. Judy couldn’t help but grin. “I hope you’ve got a significant other that gets all this wisdom lavished on them.” Best to be politically correct.

“Well, that and nothing says seduction like a garter belt and silk stockings.” Lulu went out into the main shop, returning with a red garter that would match the inside lining of the dress, and dark stockings that would match the outside.

She smiled, looking down. “I do. Nikola does enjoy testing the lingerie prototypes.”

Was that a guy or a girl? Judy just grinned, looking at the garter belt. “Oh, perfect.” She shook her head. “Ma’am, you are really talented.” Credit where credit was due. “What kind of staff do you have here, out of curiosity?”

“Thank you very much.” Lulu smiled, moving to measure Judy with skill and speed. “We’ve expanded greatly. I have ten rotating shop employees, two managers there, one person who answers the phones, a co-designer, and I handle accounting as well. The ready made things are constructed off-site, in a factory sort of setting downtown.” Lulu had been firm about using a shop that employed people at a fair wage, locally.

Judy knew the drill, and moved along with the measuring tape. “Hey, that’s great.” Maybe she could work something out where a few costume departments might use this place. Local businesses were always worth helping out. “I assume that everybody’s just as good as you.” She smiled, looking down as Lulu measured her arm length.

“I’m a fairly difficult boss for those who prefer to laze about.” She wanted her employees to have fun, to enjoy their work, but she did expect them to do it. “But I’d like to think I’m fun enough. I do know they all love Pepsi.” At hearing his name, the dog lifted his head up from where he’d been sleeping, found nothing of interest, and fell back asleep.

“Seems fair to me. And I don’t know, I doubt that dog is hard to love.” Judy couldn’t help but smile. She did miss having a dog, honestly. Changing the subject, she asked, “When would you prefer I pay for this, now or when I pick it up?”

“When you pick it up, please. We’ll do a final fitting then, make sure everything is to your standards, and make any final adjustments if need be.” Lulu smiled, reaching out to shake Judy’s hand. “I’m thrilled to get started, to be honest.”

She shook the woman’s hand, smiling a little more firmly. “Thank you for your time. Really. I’m excited to wear it.” Knocking any man off his feet was fun, but Oliver Queen was a little extra polished.

“You’ll win any arguments, I can promise you that.” Lulu smiled, glad she’d met Judy. Designing for her was going to be great fun.