Get ready my darlings. This may be one of the most extraordinary chapters so far, and if I where Eve, I would say, fasten your seat belts…….
The “Original Toe Ring” Boutique* held its grand opening at Fiorucci, the iconic Italian fashion brand and, in 1978, the trendiest store on the Upper Eastside.
The 20-foot long storefront featured a blue-sky backdrop dotted with puffy cumulus clouds. Dangling from the heavens, hundreds of glittering toe rings, twisting in the electric fan-produced breeze like bright morning stars. The Original Toe Ring© logo stenciled across entire window. Playing in the background was Michael Frank’s Popsicle Toes, “You’re so brave to expose, all those Popsicle toes. “
The turnout was impressive. Fashionistas, Fiorucci aficionados, fashion editors, television newscasters and local reporters all made an appearance. Anchors Anna Bond and Chauncey Howell, cameramen in tow, broadcast the glorious unveiling.
In honor of the occasion, I decided to try my hand at candy making by boiling up a batch of toe ring lollipops. As it turned out, they were highlight of the event, joyfully and lustily licked by all. Especially delighted was Howell, who couldn’t wait to educate me in the art of toe sucking by whispering in my ear, “It’s called ‘shrimping, dear’”. With days, the media frenzy flooded local news like a toe ring tsunami.
Not long after, Bloomingdales placed accompanied by a full-page ad in the New York Times. Judy Licht, CBS-TV’s top local reporter at the time, interviewed me in the jewelry department. “So what do people do?” she asked, “put their feet on the counter?
First responders included dancers, models, couples getting engaged, debutants desirous of diamond-studded styles and modest girls obliged to cover their eyes while being fitted.
And there I was, (far right) vogue-ing in a specially designed “Original Toe Ring” tank top – sans bra, proudly displaying my collection for all the world to see. Frankly, in that top, I’m not sure if anyone noticed the merchandise!
*Footnote (pun intended), I even made it into Wikipedia. (Edited for relevance)
Toe rings were introduced to the United States by Marjorie Borell, who, after returning from India began manufacturing and selling them in New York in 1977. Her first retail outlet was Fiorucci, a trendy fashion retailer located on 59th Street in New York. The “Original Toe Ring Boutique” sold toe rings in silver and gold with diamonds. She eventually sold them in Bloomingdale’s and other retail outlets. She retains the moniker of “Original Toe Ring Lady” to this day. Celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Britney Spears and Kim Kardashian are all toe ring fans.