Tuesday, May 1, 2012

The Fashion Shack

When I still lived in my small hometown, my best friend, Lisa and I used to frequent a clothing store called The Fashion Shack. I know! The name is super classy, right? But we loved it there. It was a dusty old department store with rows and rows of clothes and accessories that were either discontinued or slightly damaged stock from clothing designers. There were some great finds to be had there. The most fun though was finding the items of very questionable taste and trying them on. I'm remembering lots of shirts with netted peekaboo cut-outs. And really short dresses in fabrics that wouldn't breathe even if you hooked them up to a respirator.

I still remember this florescent lime green Summer sweater that I bought for a first date. Have mercy...the magic of The Fashion Shack. And it was always SO hot in there. A couple of outfit tries and you'd be so beaten down by the stagnant, sticky air that you'd buy anything just to get out of there. That might explain the lime green Summer sweater.

Anyway, I just learned that a commercial from 2003 has gone viral and is sweeping the nation. It's making everyone wish that they could experience the magic of The Fashion Shack for themselves. And for good reason.





The one girl walking down the street barefoot in an evening gown really plays into the stereotype that we Southern folk don't wear shoes, doesn't it?

And the male voice-over part just smacks of an obscene phone call:

                                  Woman:     Hello?
                                  Him:          (heavy breathing) What are you wearing? 
                                  Woman:     What?? Who is this?!!
                                  Him:          Faaashion Shaaack. 
                                  Woman:     WHO IS THIS??!
                                  Him:          Faaashion Shaaack. 

I also enjoy that in the video, I get to see the girls posing in front of many hometown landmarks like City Hall. And the back alleyway to the hidden basement drag bar that nobody talked about. I bought a Fashion Shack outfit to wear to one of those. Can you guess which?

The Fashion Shack is still open today. If you're ever close by, be sure and stop in. You'll know that you're in the right place by the young ladies spinning like they're on 'shroom highs in the street. And by the bad-ass guitar riff.

Until next time,
x's and o's,
Eartha (who never finds anything at the mall)

25 comments:

Kitsch and Curious said...

OH. MY. GOD. That is just super-fabulous! I shall be whispering 'Fashion Shack' in that voice all day long!

Anonymous said...

bwahahahaaaa my favorite is the girl who says "i never find anything at the mall."

Betty2Tone said...

delightful!

Sara In AZ said...

I'll just bet that you could find some pretty awesome stuff in there! I want to go to the The Fashion Shack now, but I might have to wear shoes!!! :D

Jamie@OwlReally.com said...

WOW!

Stacy @ Stacyverb said...

Can't stop giggling. And hearing that voice. Thanks for posting this.

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

Hahahaha...I LOVE this. And there was I thinking you all wore crinolines and laid around on the porch all day. That's four young girls destined for Hollywood right there. I'm kind of loving the guitar in the background too. wah-wah-wah-wah-waaa - FASHION SHACK!

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

I've linked your post on my Facebook page, cos it made me giggle.

http://www.facebook.com/FHCShopping?ref=tn_tnmn

Welcome to DeluxeVille said...

hahahaha!

See you at the shack! Y'all!

ModFruGal said...

Oh. My. Gawd. I loved this.

Atomic Auntie said...

Awesome music -- sounds like bad 70s porn! Let's see, if the commercial was from 2003, those girls are probably in their mid-20s now. Bet they're loving this.

Miss Simmonds Says said...

It's such a terrible ad, terrible and hilarious, the wistful staring, the man edging up the clothes aisle. I love it! I think I'm going to love your blog too.

Kally said...

My favourite part was the Evil Dead style super fast wobbly zoom in on the Asian girl in the teal dress. Terrifying!

By the way, as a person from outside the US I was under the impression that that accent only existed in Foghorn Leghorn cartoons and 70s rural slasher exploitation films. Wrong!

Lesley Jean said...

"Come on, y'all." L.M.A.O. I love this!!!!! I was so pissy like 2 minutes ago. This made my day. Annnd I lol'd at your summer sweater. The two should never mix. :)

Jenny said...

GREATEST COMMERCIAL EVER! Oh my gosh y'all!

Jackie Jardine said...

OMG OMG OMG This is hilarious. This commercial was for real!? I can't tell you how jealous I am that you actually got to experience the magic that is The Fashion Shack in real life. Tell me. While you were shopping, did employees come up to you and whisper, "Fashion Shack?" Of did you twirl around on the sidewalk following a purchase? LOL Man I love this too much...

<3 Jackie @ Let's Go Thrifting!

Vivian said...

Well, if that was 2003 with eight locations, this is 2012 and they are still in business? I would say this was an effective advertising campaign! I bet since it went viral, there are people from all over that want to visit and may buy something. Awesome. Is it a family owned company too? Even more awesome since this is 2012! Awesome!

Lisa said...

Amateur commercials hold a special, special place in my heart. I know it's not cinema verite, but who thought "You know, I think this video is good enough to buy airtime!" Your dialogue between the Fashion shack a la "Sorry, Wrong Number" = classic.

I now want to go to the Fashion Shack (the power of marketing!).

Karen/Small Earth Vintage said...

Completely disturbing, while also making my day. Thank you, Ms. Eartha!

me and the other me said...

aww... i feel loved. "my best friend, Lisa".. I miss you so much, ms. kitsch.. i'm off for a month in july.. visit time? i can bring you a new lime green sweater. i'd even brave fashion shack for you!
xoxo
lisa

Anonymous said...

Anyone notice they left the "H" out of Fashion on the text? lol....They spelled Liz Claiborne right but messed up "Fashion"....lol

lilynymph said...

fashhhhhion shaaack
i'll see you in my dreeeeams
that was terribly awesome. In fact I think it's some kind of macabre genius.

Jessica said...

This is kind of random and a little unrelated, although I always laugh and your writing and wish you were MY neighbor so I could snack on cat faced baked goods with you and listen to old country records. Ok, that got way off track.

What I REALLY WANTED TO SAY was that I just read a comment of yours on Frecklewonder and I hope you ALWAYS keep blogging. I found your site through Jenny and you seriously make me laugh out loud. It's such a gift! Blog for yourself but remember that it also makes us readers very, very happy.

SUZY8-TRACK said...

"Fashion Shack! C'mon Y'all!" That line just cracked me up!

BEESTLYproducts said...

that is the best commercial ever. need to stop by the "fasion" shack soon :-)