Given that mass-market clothing is sized to fit the largest number of people within the targeted demographics, it is quite impossible to always get a perfect fit. Cropped pants on a women who is 5'7" are not cropped on someone who is 5'1". So don't be alteration phobic. A nip at the waist-band or an inch at a hem may cost a little extra, but you get exactly what you want. Jackets are a different story. . . if you are in between sizes and need more than a nip, we'll probably recommend another style. Need a tailor? We have a list!

One of the obligations of being in business is staying current. Among other things, this means perusing the latest fashion magazines. To our surprise we actually ran across an article worth reading: "Are you Ageless or Adult," by Anne Taylor Flemming. She questions if the right way to get older is simply to stay young? The article ends with a thought for us all. "If an acceptance of the aging process and all the responsibilities attendant on it - taking your calcium and exercising every day, tending an aging parent or refinancing the house - marks the adult in us, joy is the hallmark of the age- less attitude. And we'll be needing both if we're going to do this thing right." 
(reprints available)

Not a day goes by without a phone call from a frantic customer. "I have a wedding in June, I'd like to know what's coming in." "Do you still have those great purple pants?" "How do you iron crinkle linen?" "What do you wear to a wedding on a beach in Tahiti?" "How short is short?" 

We're delighted to answer those that we can, when we can, but thought . . . why not Dear Studio? Our email address is info@studio233.com.

With the exception of those stranded on a desert island, most everyone about town knows the exciting news about Ilene's son Theo being named the new General Manager of the Red Sox. It has been such fun for all of us at The Studio. Never did we imagine the huge number of baseball-loving, die-hard Red Sox fans within our database. The GM's mom speaks: Finally a chance to thank all of you collectively for your incredible response to Theo's new job. The letters, phone calls, emails and in- person well-wishes have added so much to my already outrageous experience that at times I feel I'll never come back down to earth. It's a bit surreal. The other day some- one asked how I would feel if the Red Sox won the World Series. I try not to go there, but what I do know is that if Theo continues to follow his vision and stay true to his ideals, he will always be a winner. I am enormously proud of him (and his brother and sister) and very grateful to all of you.
                                                 Ilene

help WANTED

Some of you may have read the Lives section of the Sunday Times Magazine on February 9 ^th . There was an excerpt from the soon to be published book, Denied: The Crisis of America's Uninsured. It poignantly told the story of forty-four year old Sheila Wessenberg, a married, mother of two, who had been living a comfortable life until she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and her husband lost his job. They managed for six months to continue their insurance with out-of-pocket payments until the premiums jumped and the prospect of losing their home became real. Rejected by Medic-aid (for having that home) they have become one of the forty-one million uninsured Americans. Sheila was forced to quit chemo-therapy. Her greatest fear is if they lose their home, their children will be split between relatives who have offered help. She is well aware that without follow-up treatment she may die. She had to make a choice. No one should have to make that choice.
(reprints of article available) 

The Studio's check has been sent. It is but a small gesture, yet great things result from small gestures. If you would like to help, any donation in any amount would be a great assistance to this family. Their address: Shei la Wessenberg & family 
P.O. Box 3003
Coppell, Texas 75019.