And just like that…..11 years later, Carrie Bradshaw is back?!?!?
Back in the 2000’s (gosh, that makes me feel a little old) I was a Sex and the City super fan. It was that shoe, ahem, I mean SHOW that I knew all the lines from, order of episodes and it was a time when I happily dedicated a large amount of mental space to thinking about which outfit on which of the fab four was my favourite. (FYI, the Oscar De La Renta pink dress with patent black bow as gifted by one Alexander Petrovsky is still the winner.)
The favourite dress of all the favourites.
Image credit: Getty Images via Vogue.co.uk
Anywaaaaaaay, the show ended, the movies were released and I saw both of them a million times. I was well aware of the harsh criticism of the second movie, but I would have none of that, nothing was raining on my well dressed parade and dedication to Carrie and Co. (And you better believe that peach Halston one shoulder dress from SATC 2 is still sitting happily in my wardrobe all these years later.)
Cut to 2021……And Just Like That… after 11 years, Carrie is back?!?! This is going to be goooooood. Or is it?
In the years since our introduction to Fendi baguettes, nameplate necklaces and words like “Chanelo!” came into the vocab, a LOT has changed. The world is so, SO very different since Carrie hung up those silver Manolo’s. As are the people in it. In the last 10 years Sarah Jessica Parker has successfully filled the void as she’s embarked on business ventures that can stand on their own but also skillfully pay homage to the character that she will always be synonymous with. As I’ve watched on SJP launched a namesake, delightful line of Carrie-esque inspired shoes (in partnership with the very head of Manolo Blahnik mind you), a wine label titled Invivo X and a clever as heck collab with AirBnb (yep, you can rent Carrie’s Manhattan apartment to stay in with your GF’s) “I couldn’t help but wonder” can the re-boot that finally airs this week, bring the joy the original SATC brand once did?
Well, I’m looking forward to meeting these women again in their 50’s and seeing how their lives have evolved. I know that this new series will bring to life more diverse, inclusive storylines and characters told in a New York City that has been through a very big rough patch these past few years. It’s going to be different and dare I say it, a slight reinvention. Personally, I believe this to not only be OK, but VITAL for a brand to grow just as it’s loyal fan base and (intended) new audience of today’s 20/30 -somethings have grown themselves. It’s our expectation that beneath all the fun and frivolity, that we as women can see some part (even tiny part) of ourselves represented in these characters, right? It’s why we become invested in these characters, or any pop culture characters in the first place. Commercial success relies upon this kind of innate connection with an audience. New or old.
So, regardless of any reviews that have already come in over very EXTRA style choices (I flipping love it all!) I’m here for what I know Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda (with or without Samantha) always deliver when they get together….
A boundless commitment to meaningful friendship.
A steadfast desire for fulfilling work.
An exuberant mix of over-the-top pairings of fashion and accessories worn with absolute confidence
And a somewhat earnest pursuit of love.
Even when it all can be really, effing hard.
So let’s see what happens in Episode 1 and if Carrie and the girls can do the thing that so many brands strive to do after a hiatus…..That is, bring one of the most loved brands back to life by simply staying true to their much loved brand values……just like that.
PS – Fun fact, I met SJP once in the shoe section of Bloomingdales on 59th Street. She helped me pick out the perfect fuschia pink pumps. Shoe shopping with SJP in NYC goes down as one of the craziest and most fun days of my life to date….that’s a blog post for another day.
Yep. BEST. DAY. EVER.