The Promotion That Led to The Prada

Early on, I got it into my head that I had to own a Prada. It seemed like something that made sense as I started collecting my wardrobe. I wanted to collect the classics, and what could be more classic than a Prada bag?

I knew I didn’t want anything with the classic triangle logo, as I didn’t want to be too conventional, but I also knew that most anything else was way out of my price range. So I dreamed of a day — that might or might not come — when I could afford to make the right purchase. In the end, I told myself I would allow the purchase if I got that next promotion. And I subsequently stopped at almost nothing to make it happen.

It was October 2005, and I had just received a promotion before being sent off to our annual London trade shows. This was it! What better way to celebrate than getting myself that Prada I had dreamed about for so long. I knew which one I wanted, as the Vogue issue with the ad had been lying next to my bed for months. But was I really going to do this?

Buying the Prada

I started in the Prada store in London, but they were extremely rude and off-putting. I realized that I didn’t look like a Prada customer, but this was a big deal to me, and the experience of buying the bag was almost as important as carrying it around the day after. So I decided to head into Selfridges, and what a difference that made! The sales clerk could not have been nicer or more patient. He could see that here was a 20-something kid making a really big purchase, and he relished in the fact that he was able to make it even more special for me.

I left with the bag, and never looked back. Unlike many people, I am not the kind of person who saves anything for a special occasion. Every day is a special occasion when it comes to my wardrobe, even if it meant shoving a few baby wipes and teething rings inside.

I pulled that purse out of the bag the second I got back to my hotel, shoved all of my necessities in and went to my first business dinner of the trip. And for years after, it was my trademark bag.

It proudly sits next to my desk as I write this, a little beaten up and scratched, to remind me to always enjoy the pieces I have in my wardrobe. It also reminds me of that first step into independence, as that promotion was milestone that led to a successful 10-year career in licensing.

On a side note, less than a year later, The Devil Wears Prada was released and sure enough, that same purse played a leading role in the film.