Designer Mentions in My Christmas Novella, The Fashion Girl Goes Home
Let’s play a little game of this or that: Shortbread or Schiaparelli? Turkey or timeless essentials? Carols or couture? Gifts or Gucci? (By Tom Ford, of course.) Merriment or Maison Margiela? Why not all of the above? If you love fashion and you love reading fiction, then you’re in for a delicious treat. My upcoming Christmas novella The Fashion Girl Goes Home is an ode to my hometown and is dressed in designer from top-to-toe. The main character, Reese Hartley, works for “the most influential makeup artist of all time (you know the one)” and lives in New York City. She’s venturing back to Victoria, BC for the holidays with a big black Béis bag full of fierce fashion.
Although Reese is living her dream life, she wonders: What if what’s best for me isn’t what’s best for everyone else? Does it matter? Being a people pleaser is so last century but she can’t help but question living away from her family and missing out on every day things, not to mention the big things like births, deaths, and marriages. She’s also hoping (but not letting on) to run into her first love on this jaunt back home—even though she’s sworn off of him a thousand times before.
She runs around town in shearling-trimmed Coperni boots, a seriously strappy Jacquemus tank top, and hoists a Gucci horsebit bag over her should before heading out for coffee at the park. Like Carrie Bradshaw, Reese might not know men, but she knows style. And knows that Saint Laurent sunglasses are the perfect way to block out sunlight.
So far, I’m just over 35K words. I’m guessing it’ll end up being close to that . . . I’m really excited to write about Victoria, British Columbia and perhaps add in a few details that are similar to my own experiences with frenemies, fashion, and living away from home.
Designer Mentions in Christmas Novella The Fashion Girl Goes Home by Melina Maria Morry
Photo found here.
Balenciaga
A chunk of her heart sank as she realized this man was a talker. There was no stopping him now. Once talkers got going they were harder to stop than irony at a Balenciaga show.
Hermès Birkin
“Maybe I should say fuck it and fly to Cancún instead,” she mused aloud. Then all she’d need is a Birkin of bikinis and Winnie Harlow’s tinted sunscreen.
Photo found here.
Schiaparelli
Reese was a strong swimmer but against their magnetic currents, she felt like she was treading water in a backless ball gown, with hefty Schiaparelli accessories acting as polished anchors, securing her to the sandy floor.
Tom Ford for Gucci
Not that anyone under this roof would appreciate or recognize Bottega anyway. She could be strutting along Douglas Street wearing Tom Ford for Gucci and most people in this city would assume it was Jessica Simpson for Hudson’s Bay.
Photo found here.
YSL and Margiela
Reese lowered her tinted Saint Laurent sunglasses, searching for Courtney. No sign of her yet. She shifted on her Margiela ballerina flats with the Tabi toes.
The Fashion Girl Goes Home is coming soon! Well, not too soon. But it’s never too soon to drum up some interest, right? My goal is publish for Christmas 2026. If you’re interested in reading a copy before it goes live, let me know. Comment, email me, reach out.
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