Dawn of the Dress

The Dawn of New York Boutique in Stroudsburg, PA held a Champagne and Shopping Party to celebrate the 7th Anniversary on Saturday August 24th. But, before I begin writing of my experiences during the event, I have a confession to make. In many ways I’m a stereotypical male who has gone shopping for clothes with the women in my life with a deep sense of dread. I often find a place to sit during these excursions while enduring the ordeal hoping my time in the store waiting and waiting and searching for a safe answer to “Does this make me look fat?” will gain me enough brownie points to get me some nookie later on. Sometimes it did.

So, when Dawn Notaro, the owner of The Dawn of New York Boutique,  send me an invite to come to her VIP event, I felt some trepidation about accepting the invitation. However, something otherworldly beckoned me and I eventually made the commitment to attend. I’m very glad I did for, as I walked through the doors, I was greeted with a buzz of excitement as Dawn, her sales staff, photographers, and customers hurried themselves in an almost frantic state to experience the sensation attributed to applying one dress after another upon the forms they would decorate. Tasty morsels of food, Champagne, and shots consisting of Vodka with cranberry chasers enhanced the experience as the consumption of these delights increased the laughter and good conversation which accessorized the celebration. Non-Alcoholic Champagne was also available for those who were unable to drink the other kind.

Throughout the day, the women who came into the store were invited to try on a variety of dresses and were offered the opportunity to be photographed upon a red carpet in all out Hollywood style. Almost without exception, all eagerly selected and slipped into the clothing while tailored adjustments were made and accessories were added with care by Ms. Notaro herself. The process brought out the qualities of womanly power which unite the gender in a sensual solidarity and inspire the men who witness such a transcending strength to look upon these goddesses with a profound sense of aw and admiration. The red carpet was their pedestal and the divine entities made it their Valhalla. There were also a variety of discounts offered throughout the day along with chances to win prizes which increased in proportion to the amount of the money one spent on clothing and accessories.

In addition to customers trying on dresses and being photographed in them, the celebration attracted a great deal of attention along the streets of Stroudsburg, PA. Many cars voyeuristically slowed down to avoid collisions as beauty shone its distractive rays from the sidewalk onto the traffic filled streets. Pedestrians also exhibited a curiosity as many gladly strayed from their predestined paths in order to enter the store to partake of the excitement that flowed from the Boutique’s doors. These included the Rap Group known as Team Genius who were handing out flyers to promote the Mobb Deep concert being presented at The Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg later that evening and of which they were the opening act. During their visit, they entertained the gathering with a sampling of their talents which were greeted with great delight and lent their photogenic energies to the Red Carpet. You can learn more about Team Genius by exploring The Sherman Theater Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/ShermanTheater?fref=ts.

Some time later, another group of musicians happened by and became fascinated by the happenings of the shop. The members of the Ska (without the horns) Punk Rock Band know as Badtown Rude were adorned with a variety of body art and hair styles whose properties was entreated by the camera held by the Red Carpet photographer to be captured within its apparatus. They were on their way to The Living Room to perform a concert but took a few moments to appease the camera by sharing their image with it as it click repeatedly with appreciation. You can learn more about Badtown Rude by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/BadtownRude.

The colors and patterns upon the dresses seen at the Dawn of New York Boutique were pleasing to the eye, but I must admit that my understanding of the craft of dress making and of the art of fashion is very limited. So, I can’t attest to the nuanced quality of every seam and textile utilized in bringing a designer’s thought into a wearable reality. But, I can say the event was a thoroughly enjoyable one and gave this stereotypical male a glimpse into the rite of shopping he never had before and demonstrated a lesson men and women have learned about one another throughout the ages that love (whether it’s for one another or for the clothes they wear) really needs no understanding to be enjoyed. You’ll find more photographs taken during the 7th Anniversary Celebration in the Special Events 2013 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151513384020421.546231.636000420&type=3.

The Dawn of New York Boutique in Stroudsburg, PA offers an eclectic mix of styles ranging from classic to hip-hop along with a variety of accessories to compliment each purchase. The Boutique’s owner, Dawn Notaro, began her life in fashion as a New York City Photo Stylist and was inspired to create a place to introduce the latest of trends to the area through a shop she bought in Brodheadsville, PA in 2006. She subsequently moved her  business to the town of Stroudsburg where it has become one of the main retail stores along its Main Street for the female citizens of the area to purchase high ended clothing. You can learn more about The Dawn of New York Boutique by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/Dawn.of.New.York.