The Miniquin Story

It was Monday, January 2, 1943 in any town USA when diamonds department store opened its engraved glass gilt edge doors to the first wave of eager shoppers. Everyone had been talking for weeks about Diamonds and its dramatic window displays. It wasn’t just that the displays were more extravagant and creative than other upscale department store windows. It was the curious effect the displays had on the people who took the time to study them. They evoked memories of great loves, strong, stirrings of emotion and absolute faith that what the window shopper was searching for was somewhere inside the store. 

In 1943 American fashion was coming into its own. With Paris occupied, attention focused on New York. Despite restrictions on the amount of material that could be used, American ingenuity was up to the challenge. Hollywood designer Adrian had just opened his boutique in Beverly Hills, Claire McCardell had established herself as a preeminent American women’s sportswear designer. And many other designers such as Ann Lowe, Vera Maxwell and Norman Norell helped American design flourish at this time. Diamonds would start by having its own in-house design team whose high end fashions would establish a name for themselves. On occasion, they would also include fashions from famous designers.

Inside the store, Vivian was almost as anxious for the doors to open as the customers waiting outside. Vivian had been with the gentleman who owned Diamonds ever since he started his business with a small clothing store more than a decade earlier. She was wise in the ways of the business world, but young and enthusiastic enough to thrill at this new beginning. Vivian would reside on the first floor of the new store facing the foyer. She was to be the centerpiece of the fine clothing display, and as such the first face to greet the crowds. Although she had met the public before, she knew this marked the start of a new era.

Although the miniquins did not speak in the traditional sense, they had their own telepathic speech, and – from their point of view – the human customers were mute. Ironically, not being able to hear human voices somehow made it easier for a manniquin to see directly into the human heart. When a customer touched a gown or piece of jewelry, she left an imprint of herself on the miniquin wearing it - the shadow of her heartbreak, her victories, her dreams and her illusions. Since all of Diamonds miniquins except Vivian were brand new, none of them had a history yet. They hungered for experiences, feelings, and passion.

They shared what they learned and learned about each other every night after darkness fell and the doors were locked to the public. It was then that the miniquins came to life in the store with full use of its nightclub, soda fountain / tea room, hair / nail salon and home department. Each will develop a different personality as a result of the customers he or she comes into contact with. Since the miniquins are never allowed to leave the store, all they know of the “real world“ is what they intuit from the customers who touch them. Their resulting misconceptions are sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, sometimes heartwarming.

Vivian knew something about love. Her first experience came when she was modeling a midnight blue taffeta prom dress and a 16-year-old high school girl let her hand linger on the fabric. As the girl fantasized about what it would feel like if the boy of her dreams took her into his arms to dance, the delightful pleasure of anticipation washed through Vivian. So this is love, she thought. 

A few months later, when Vivian modeled a black silk skirt and jacket, a 30-year-old woman touched the dress and fought back tears. Her young husband had been killed in combat and she needed a black suit for his funeral. So this is love Vivian thought, as grief filled her with a dull ache and a loss of purpose. 

When summer came, she modeled a sexy red cocktail dress. A lovesick secretary, touched the dress and thought to herself “if I wear this, my boss won’t be able to look at anyone else. When he sees me in this, work will be the last thing on his mind“. So this is love Vivian thought, feeling a surge of desire.

Vivian‘s perception of love was as accurate as someone reading a gourmet cookbook, but never entering a kitchen. She recognized the ingredients, imagine how they might combine, and assumed it would taste wonderful. But mentally going through the motions of making an exotic dish cannot create the first taste of something new. Vivian did not taste love until Monty arrived at Diamonds department store.

Monty originated in San Diego, California, where he was used to tailor uniforms for the Navy. When an admiral tried on a jacket, and put it back on Monty for the finishing touches, Monty acquired the personal history of the naval hero. He could smell the sea from the open dressmaker’s window. Even after he moved to the new Diamonds store, the scent of the ocean lingered in his memory, and sometimes he could see waves break on the beach of his imagination.

Every miniquin in the store knew about Monty‘s arrival and talked about little else. Unfortunately, if predictively, Monty was assigned to menswear on a different floor than Vivian. So she heard about him for months before she saw him. Rumor had it he was a miniquin of action, a hero who survived combat, a man who had seen the world.

They finally met when Diamonds paired them to promote their furniture department. Monty was dressed like a suburban father and Vivian was mortified to find herself wearing a calico housedress with a Peter Pan collar and puffed sleeves. She wanted to drop through a hole in the floor ! Against all reason, she prayed that he would not notice her, even though they were inches apart. How could management have put her into this hideous monstrosity?

 “Nothing could make you look less than beautiful.” Monty said. 

Oh, no !  Had Monty heard what she said about her outfit? How much more humiliating was this going to get?

“I’m Monty” he said. 

Could he read her mind? Did he know she thought he was the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life? She blushed just thinking of what he might know. “I’m Vivian” she said, to cover her embarrassment.

And that was how it started.

THE STORY CONTINUES….

As Vivian and Monty’s fondness grew for each other, so did business for the Diamonds department store. As such, more miniquins were needed. 

With the war recently ended, and G.I.s coming home, the store’s owner wished to express his own progressive views. Diamonds had always welcomed shoppers of any race or background. And now it was time for the miniquins to reflect that. So the store welcomed its first black miniquin - Viola.

Viola, Vivian and Monty quickly became the best of friends. They would spend evenings with each other after store closing and were lucky enough to get many display assignments together in the same areas of the store. 

As part of the store’s continuing focus on diversity, a new black male miniquin was to be introduced. He arrived one September morning before the store opened. As an employee carried him through the store he accidentally bumped into Viola. He apologized, saying “pardon me.” Viola shuttered with delight at the site of of this handsome, and polite, man. “That’s quite all right. My name is Viola”, she said. He responded, “Nice to meet you. I’m Maxwell“. 

Viola longed to know more about this well mannered stranger who had literally bumped into her. However, he disappeared for a few days to a back room. One morning though he appeared again, and the two of them were assigned to be next to each other for the long holiday shopping season. “Good morning“ Viola said. Maxwell responded “A delight to see you again. Please tell me about yourself“. 

TO BE CONTINUED…