Chapter 182: Davis Enterprises
Monday, January 16th, Morning
The Fashion or Garment District is just south of Time Square. It's called this because this was where the garment design and manufacturing seemed to have settled in. After much of the production moved away, most of the design and business side stayed.
Davis Enterprises, or as in the business the House of Davis, chose this place for its worldwide headquarters. Nearly twenty years ago, a large majority of it was designing moved away, much of the business was still here. Even when one of the co-founders, Victoria Davis, the business-minded founder, retired, the business operations stayed here.
The other co-founder, Brooke Davis, Victoria's daughter, and the design-minded founder, stood behind the desk in her seldom-used office. She studied the city outside her windows. The building was an old and stately, but the glass is newer, more eco-friendly. She looked up at the ceiling and noted it was painted black and had an industrial look, which the current fashion dictated.
Part of her missed the city, the hustle, and bustle of life there. Most of her enjoy the palace complex she built in Tree Hill and spent time with most of her grandchildren. Still, there was something about New York City and its energy.
Brooke turned around and looked at the people before her. These four women were here to work out details for New York Fashion Week. They each represent a vital function in the planning of such a big event like New York Fashion Week.
Brooke suppressed a smile and took a seat behind her desk. Slowly, she took each woman in, a brunette, a brown-haired woman, and two redheads, but each was different in their own way.
Brooke let out a sigh and looked at one of the redheads. Her hair was a flame redhead, and maybe shoulder length. There is a certain quality to her; one would say an aggressive nature.
"Sabrina," Brooke said in a calm, business-like voice.
"Yes, Brooke," Sabrina Cohen, the Chief Operating Officer of Davis Enterprises, said. Sabrina did the day to day running of the whole shooting match.
"How are we looking financials of all this?" Brooke asked.
"We're on target, even adding the second show it didn't impact too much," Sabrina said.
"How did you manage that?" Brooke asked.
"Some foresight and planning," Sabrina said.
"Good, good, are we projecting success for the second show?" Brooke asked.
"We should have a minor success, based on the reception when that line was part of the main show, over the last few years. The reality is we just don't know; there's not enough data to show a clearer picture," Sabrina said.
"You've been getting the word out about it? Getting the right people to get the media to the Banríon show?" Brooke asked.
"Of course, just well, no offense Bobbi, your name just isn't as sexy as Brooke's," Sabrina said.
"Yes, Sabrina, not as sexy as mine yet," Brooke said.
"None taken," Bobbi-Lee Burke, the other redhead, just she was ginger in color, said. Bobbi-Lee was a designer Brooke discovered out of college and developed her talent. Over the last few years, Bobbi-Lee had her own line under the House of Davis. This February Fashion Week, the second show, the so-called Banríon show, is for Bobbi-Lee's line. Brooke nodded, Bobbi-Lee worked hard to develop the line, which Bobbi-Lee chose to named Banríon,
"Well," Brooke said, "I've gotten another special."
"Another?" Bobbi-Lee asked, "Who?"
"Ellie Scott," Brooke said.
"Ellie?" Trinity "Trin" Adams, the Vice-President of New York Operations, the person getting all the details worked out for the Fashion Week, also she's one of Brooke's five daughters, and Ellie Scott's best friend said.
"Yes, you heard right, I got Ellie Scott," Brooke said.
"We're going to have to get someone to do body makeup to cover her tattoos," Trin said.
"So, do it," Brooke said.
"But why, Ellie?" Trin asked.
"Why not?" Brooke asked.
"I don't know, she's not done it in years," Trin said.
"She keeps herself in good shape, and everything else I have that handled," Brooke said.
"Pay?" Sabrina asked.
"What did she get paid last time?" Brooke asked.
"Why are you throwing a monkey wrench in this so late in the game?" Trin asked.
"How much of a monkey wrench is it, Bobbi?" Brooke asked.
"Depends, I'd have to pick out something for her to wear, and I'm in Tree Hill, she's in New York," Bobbi-Lee said, "I just don't know."
"She'll be in Tree Hill at least until Fashion Week," Brooke said.
"How did you manage that?" Trin asked.
"I have my ways," Brooke said.
"Is there anything else?" Sabrina asked.
"I have nothing," Trin said.
"Sam?" Brooke asked, looking at the brown-haired woman. Samantha "Sam" Walker, Brooke assistant, and the person that kept Brooke moving in the right direction.
"I think the only thing we didn't cover is the location visits," Sam said.
"Oh yeah!" Brooke said, with a snap of her fingers, "That's important when are we doing that?"
"Tomorrow afternoon," Trin said.
"Good," Brooke said with a smile.
"Which site are we doing first?" Bobbi-Lee asked.
"The Main Show Location," Trin said.
"Very good, then if that's all, let's get to work," Brooke said.
The four women before her got up, and three of them left the room. Trin was the only one to stay behind. Brooke looked at her daughter.
"Yes, Trin?" Brooke asked.
"Could we talk out in the gallery?" Trin asked.
"Sure," Brooke said, and the two women walked out of the office. They headed out to the hallway outside reception. Trin stopped in front of one of the many pictures that hung there.
"So, can we get this picture taken down?" Trin asked.
"Lydia?" Brooke asked.
"Yeah, we could put a more up to date picture in its place," Trin said.
"You do have a point, but I wouldn't remove it," Brooke said.
"Why?" Trin asked.
"Well, this is our first major campaign, that's why it hangs here, the pride of place," Brooke said.
"Not because it's Fallon, mom?" Trin asked.
"No, not because of that," Brooke said, and tapped the label, "Lydia left us after five years, Fallon was a baby then."
Trin nodded, "She was the face of the company?" Trin asked.
"In most of the print campaigned," Brooke said, and walked down to another picture.
Trin walked down to where Brooke stood. At first, Trin looked at Brooke then at the picture. It was another model from a past campaign. Looking over the image, this one had a different woman. Where Lydia Vestergaard was a blonde woman, this one had dark brownish red hair.
"If I had to say the first true face of the House of Davis, it would be her," Brooke said.
Trin looked at the label, Alissa Morris Spring/Summer line. Studying the portrait of the woman, Trin noted she was younger than Lydia Vestergaard underneath the cool model exterior one could see sadness and life behind the eyes.
"Sadly, Ally didn't stay with us long," Brooke said, tapping on the plaque.
"What happened to her?" Trin asked.
"She went back to school; I think a master's degree in economics," Brooke said.
Trin nodded, "I see," she said.
"That's why these pictures are here; they honor the women that helped us," Brooke said.
Trin nodded, "I see," she said.
"Come see one more," Brooke said.
Trin nodded and followed Brooke to one more picture. Trin looked it over in close detail. For a moment, Trin's eyes flared with the spark of recognition, then it faded. Finally, Trin turned to the label. The name of the women is Chastity and Isabella Davis, Spring/Summer Line.
"Is that?" Trin asked.
"Yes, that's Chase and Izzy," Brooke said, "For a brief time, they were a face of the House of Davis."
Trin nodded.
