Life in Lodo: Vaji's Expert Alterations (& cultural teachings)

Vaji with some of her finished works. She was named Best Tailor in Denver in 2009.

I found "my" wedding dress for sale in New York for $400 less than the store in Denver. Am I going to order from them and save 400 buckaroos? You betcha. First, I just needed to have my body measurements in order to figure out what size to order from the NY store. Because I have lived in Denver for 3 years now and have never gotten anything tailored (am I a slob?) and I really prefer to do business with places that I can walk/shuttle ride to, I consulted google to see if any tailors have a shop downtown. The first place that popped up was Vaji's. Mary, my step-mom told me it should be an expert tailor because wedding dresses are an entirely different breed. My standards had to be high. Even if I didn't want to drive across town, I might have to. But, it turns out, it wasn't necessary, her reviews were remarkable; they raved about her impeccableness and old-world service. Curiosity set in.

Vaji's is located right on the 16th street mall on the second floor o the historic building above the MCDonald's. When you pull open the heavy door and enter the lobby, one feels as though they have been transported right back to the old West. Ornate ceiling work, etched bronze letter boxes and marble remind you of what the West was like in earlier days. If there are ghosts in there, they are probably women with big, round dresses with equally big, round hats with feathers on them and men with hats who have time pieces in their jacket pocket. 

Quietly entering her space, not sure what to expect, there she was with a smile and she said, "it's good to see you." At first I thought she thought I had been before and was mixing me up with someone else. But then I realized, that was her greeting, naturally like she knows you. The space is on the corner, so two of her walls are actually huge windows that look out over the activities of the mall. We chatted for a bit and I let her know that I was there for bridal measurements. I noticed her slight accent but wasn't sure where she was from. I was thinking Eastern European. As I set my coat and purse down, I noticed pictures of a regal looking family in fine clothes. I figured this was my chance to figure out where she was from so asked, who are these people? Vaji replied that they were the King and Queen of Iran. She said that they were such good hearted people who did good for their country and their people. But, the groups that we are familiar with today, essentially took over power of the country and kicked the royal family out of Iran, who were forced to live in Egypt.

She flipped through pictures, showing a stunning woman in beautiful clothes, the Queen and a handsome man with his army suit which was decorated with badges, brass buttons and golden ropes. She said, "they were loved deeply and ran the country well. When they were forced to Egypt, they had nothing." I can't imagine what that meant for them, going from being the top tier of society, the beloved King and Queen, to nothing. One of their son's comitted suicide and the King passed away from a broken heart essentially. She said there is one son living today that many Iranians hope will regain power somehow and get their country back on track.

I asked Vaji when she came to the States. She said that she was a school principal of twenty something years. Her husband was a city official. When the terrorist groups came into power, they started strict enforcement that all women wear a veil. Vaji said she couldn't handle it. She said that although she doesn't now, when she was young, she wore makeup with extensive eyeliner and big hair. She wore the clothes she liked. She just couldn't bow to their rules, covering her face, wearing no makeup and showing not even an ankle or wrist. I was wearing a long sleeved blouse and jeans, certainly nothing remotely scandalous. Vaji motioned at my makeup'd face and modern clothes and said, "they would throw you in Jail and kill you if you wore this outside. I couldn't do it." She was a school principal, she was used to power and success. She just couldn't stuff that all away and become a reclusive woman, bound by this 'new society." She and her husband sent their sons to college here in the States. She said they would spend time here and in Iran. At one point, Vaji said, "that's enough of this regime in Iran, I'm retiring from principalship and we're going to the States." That was something like twenty-five years ago.

Hearing all of this was refreshing. I felt like I was getting the "inside scoop" on what is going on. Though journalists are ambitious in their reports, it seems like if you weren't listening to the beginning of something, they rarely go back in time and explain what the initial conflict was. For example, they may report on a bus bombing in a capital city, they may say who did it, but you there is little information as to why.  But I digress.

In short of it all, I realized yesterday that not everyone in Iran or the Middle East want to live this way. Some feel trapped. I'm thinking that alongside Vaji being a sweet and talented woman, she is also fierce. She seems to know her own power and said, 'nope. I'm not sticking around for this dog and pony show. I'm going to live my life elsewhere, freedom reigns.'

Thanks Vaji, I'll be back.

opulence in the lobby

etched brass letterbox. art.