Expressing Admiration

It’s funny how people remember certain events in their lives. My husband can recall every detail of the New York Rangers’ 1994 Stanley Cup victory. He knows what he ate, where he parked that night and how long he partied outside Madison Square Garden.

As a dedicated Ranger fan, I, too, have my share of Stanley Cup memories, but given my loyalty to all things retail, I can just as easily recall shopping sprees. When I was in Express a few weeks ago with my daughter, I found myself thinking back on numerous good times spent shopping at the store. Signs announcing the chain’s 30th year in business dotted the store, and I was instantly transported back to 1980.

Express has carved its niche serving young fashion shoppers with affordable, stylish and on-trend designs. Season after season it succeeds in delivering diverse looks that range from casual to sexy-chic.

Is there a forty-something woman out there who doesn’t remember the Express “ribbed tunic?” I had three and wore them with leggings – also from Express – to create the quintessential ’80s look. It was the college uniform of the times – comfortable, chic and perfectly suitable attire for rocking out to The Clash. I worked in fashion publishing early in my career, which meant that mixing fashion items from Express with ’80s career wear was perfectly acceptable. Express dressed me for my honeymoon – I’ve got the pictures to prove it – and I remained a devotee for several years thereafter.

Today, my curves don’t mix well with Express’ sizing, but my daughter is creating her own memories. And truth be told, I can still indulge my affection for Express with accessories and an occasional loose-fitting top.

Perhaps my fondest memory of Express was the chance I had to interview CEO Michael Weiss. Weiss started as a merchandise manager when Express was an experimental division of Limited Brands. He was named president in 1982 and later added CEO to his title. He retired in 2004, but returned to the company in 2007, around the time of the Golden Gate acquisition.
Weiss is a brilliant merchant with an uncanny ability to discern what works, what doesn’t and how young people will respond to particular fashion trends. I was absolutely entranced during our interview, and hung on his every response like a groupie. (Good thing, too, because when I got back in the car, turned on my ‘trusty’ tape recorder and realized it hadn’t worked, I nearly died.) Others seem to share my opinion, as the company’s stock has performed well since its May IPO.

Thirty years is a milestone worthy of tremendous admiration given the complexities of the fashion business and the hurdles of an ever-changing economy. Happy Birthday Express – and here’s to many more!