Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Vera was the first and-only person to teach me about fashion. I stepped into her first shop on Main Street with trepidation looking for an evening dress - my first-. Her Papa was sitting outside, her Mama working inside. Eventually I bought the most beautiful outfit I have ever owned and just gave it, in perfect shape, to one of my granddaughters. It is as beautiful now as it was then. Over the years, when I could afford it, I acquired more lovely clothes most of which I have now given to family members since we are all about the same size and I don't need them anymore. I run a farm in NY Sate near Montreal where jeans are the order of the day.
Vera could tell right away what would look good on me and even if I did not wish to try something on she would insist and of course she was right. Mama would alter and I was good to go.
I never could figure out what many of the other women were doing there sitting around - I guess talking fashion- but they certainly seemed to have a lot of time on their hands. I was alway so busy with a large family and no time so I relied on Vera for advice about what to wear for some occasion or other. Her shop was an institution. Eleganza was truly an fairyland of beautiful clothes and dreams of wearing them.
I would run into Vera from time to time when I visited Millburn mostly to get Bagels, and she was always straight up the same fashionable lady from days gone by. I will remember her.
Barbara Lewis
