Had a typically fantastic time Sunday afternoon at Fashionista, the vintage clothing adventure at 93 Whitney Ave. in New Haven. Mabel and I were on our way to a party in East Rock, but Fashionista is always some sort of party so we stopped there first.
Mabel had taken an interest in my prized old peace medallion, which I bought in Iowa City, land of my birth, with my own hard-earned allowance, back when I was the same age Mabel is now. (Eight.) It was special moment when we found a peace medallion—a sturdy wooden beaded one—at Fashionista and could get it for her. She also got a flowery dress and pink earrings, while I had a lively conversation with proprietors Nancy and Todd.
We’re not the only ones who see Fashionista as a time travelling, story-laden, colorful and fanciful adventure, of course. Few have captured the appeal of a Fashionista visit more heartily than Bianca Turetsky, who was one of the first Fashionista customers back the store was a hit-and-run one-day-a-month affair, has penned a series of young-adult novels inspired by the shop. The first, titled The Time-Traveling Fashionista, is elegantly illustrated with bright sketches of fabulous outfits. It’s published by the teen-friendly Poppy imprint of the big-deal Hachette Book Group USA.
Fashionista doesn’t need an excuse to have, or be, a party. But having a book based on their shop is a pretty good one. Bianca Turetsky will read from and sign The Time Travelling Fashionista from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 10 at Fashionista (corner of Whitney and Trumbull streets, New Haven; 203-777-4434). It’s what everyone’s wearing that day.