Bendel Open See or...

...as we like to call it, Bendel No See Green! OK so, Cleo and I catch the 4:22 a.m train into New York city so that we can have the honor of standing in line for 4 hours, penance for being allow show our goods (no, not those goods!) to a Bendel's buyer. See our mini movie below of the que forming. The gates to designer glory opened at 9. We were quickly shuffled into Mecca, and passed through with Acela-like efficency. Next thing we know we are in front of the "yes or no-er" herself. We must say here that the handbags buyer makes the experience painless, but Bendel's as it turns out is only interested in leather handbags. Now, perhaps that's her stock phrase to let us down easy, but the next line out of her mouth is astonishing...she says "sadly, Bendel's is not really interested in eco-friendly." WOW!!! What would Henri have said about that? "C'est incroyable, mademoiselle!"
Now, we don't want you to get the idea that we are bitter, oh no, we are glad to know that we need not get up before we went to bed, stand on ice cold cement waiting in a line, praying for a decent coffee shop to open (what the hell Illy, 7:00am? No one in NYC wants a latte at 6am?) so that we can thaw our frozen finger-cicles, only to be told "non". We are not bitter, just a bit surprised that the upscale Bendel's customer is apparently not interested in the green movement. Who knew?
On a positive note, we met some really awesome women, like Leslie Marie who makes fabulous clothing and Cat of Cleo & Cat who makes these awesome Alice-in-Wonderland meets Vivan Westwood honking rings that totally rock-you must see. Plus there was a woman behind us who brought her line of satin bags and just behind her a couple of women who had the CUTEST bikinis- wish we had had time to get their info.
Anyway, we don't want to discourage anyone from having this experience because it's a rare occurance. Most stores make it impossible to get the opportunity to show your products to their buyers. It is reported that this is the way Todd Oldham (back when he was doing fashion) got his start. So for all you design entrepreneurs out there who think their products would be perfect at Bendel's, go for it! Just remember to get there early. And by early, we mean 6am, because the doors close at 12noon sharp. And how pissed would you be if you had been waiting for hours and didn't get a chance to see a buyer? Oh and bring a crossword, warm clothes...and of course, a latte.