be beautiful, be happy, be free

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.  How many times did I read this story to my nephew when he was a little boy?  Dr. Seuss was his favorite author and this book always his first choice for our read-aloud.  What a story - fun, clever, so familiar - comfortable.  Did Andrew know his aunt would be lucky enough to find clothing whose name – and attributes - were similar to this happy book’s title?

It has been nearly 20 years since I bought my first piece of Blue Fish.  How did I first learn about Blue Fish?  I wish I remembered!  Was it when I saw Jennifer Barclay on “Oprah” (maybe a program about women entrepreneurs?) or in “People” magazine?  I’m not sure, but I believe I owned my long printed violet coat dress with the rich red wooden buttons by then. 

“This one has a little star.  This one has a little car.  Say! What a lot of fish there are…”

Many pieces have followed – most purchased at the store in Frenchtown, one found at a small shop in Manayunk (the wonderful mimosa “Botanicals” linen jumper – still my favorite collection), and one acquired at a beautiful little boutique in San Juan Capistrano (I was there to see the swallows…).  Now, I purchase most pieces online or by telephone, usually from the wonderfully friendly, helpful people at the Frenchtown store, or online from Blue Fish Finder for pieces I foolishly missed the first time around (“Some are old. And some are new.”).  I enjoy layering and mixing Blue Fish with my comfortable Flax pants and shirts.

“From there to here, from here to there…”

Blue Fish clothing is a favorite traveling companion and has accompanied me around the world.  I presented a workshop for teachers at the World Congress on Reading in Edinburgh, Scotland in August, 2002, wearing a long black Blue Fish jumper with a butterfly painted on the front and dragonflies dancing around the hem.  In 2006, I was a speaker again at the World Congress, this time in Budapest, Hungary, and took several pieces of Blue Fish with me on my week-long trip.  My husband and I began that trip in Vienna, and Blue Fish went to the Theater An der Wien to see the opera, “Don Giovanni.”  I often wear Blue Fish in New York – I have a season ticket to the New York City Ballet, so at least six Sundays each year find me trying to express my inner artist by wearing Blue Fish to the ballet.  Just this past January, my husband and I flew to Middlesbrough, England, for a wedding.  My wedding outfit included a wine-colored velvet Blue Fish vest, and, later, at the airport, I wore another vest (one of my favorites – love its painted artichokes!) for traveling home via Dublin (I’m pictured below with my husband and our friends, parents of the bride.)

”Not one of them is like another…”

Each year, Blue Fish accompanies me to the International Reading Association’s Annual Convention, often as a presenter.  Logistically, it packs well, is comfortable, and provides a stylish, imaginative alternative to the professional “suit” look.  It is beautifully created from comfortable, natural fabrics, has been designed and printed by hand, and is made close to home (Bucks County).  Because I have red hair, I like to think that Jennifer Barclay’s color choices are especially appropriate for me.  No other clothing appeals to me, or makes me feel more comfortable and happy, than my Blue Fish.  I like clothes to have a story, to have an appealing shape and to move well, to look and feel interesting, and to say something about the person wearing them.  No matter how anxious I am before a presentation, I feel confident and pleased about my appearance when wearing Blue Fish.  I know my clothing is unique, suits me, and communicates to the audience important information about who I am and what I value.  Blue Fish is the clothing I was meant to wear. 

“Tell me, tell me.  What is new?...”

My most recent purchases include a pair of four squares, a tee, and a printed vest, which I wore on a trip to Chicago over the Fourth of July.  What a great outfit for visiting the Art Institute and then dinner at Vong’s Thai Kitchen!  I also have a new Muse Dress and Reflection Cardigan ready for a wedding on July 25.  Sadly, I wore a pair of dark four squares, a white Flax shirt, and a dark Blue Fish vest to a family funeral last week.  I love Blue Fish’s versatility and dependability; I can wear it anywhere and look appropriate but unique.  In my dreams, I wear Blue Fish every day! (When I wish to make a wish I wave my hand with a big swish swish.  Then I say, "I wish for [blue] fish!")

“And now my story is all told…”

Andrew – that special Dr. Seuss-loving nephew – graduated in May from New York University.  My family spent two days in the city celebrating.  I wore Blue Fish to dinners, for walks in Times Square, and to his Baccalaureate ceremony.  My clothes were, as usual, comfortable, beautiful, and appropriate for every situation.  They received compliments at Radio City Music Hall, a Turkish restaurant - even Elmo admired my four squares in Times Square! 

Blue Fish is more than clothing – it is a feeling, an experience, a habit of mind.  For those people who have yet to wear Blue Fish – don’t postpone joy.  Start with a single piece, blend it with other favorite clothing, and don’t look back.  Clothing should be interesting, comfortable, and fun.  It should feel good and make you feel good in return.  Dr. Seuss – again! – says it best:

“Oh me! Oh my!

Oh me! Oh my!

If you never did,

you should.

These things are fun

and fun is good.”

(All text quoted in this essay from Seuss, Dr.  (1960).  One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.  New York: Random House.)