We were like detectives, Mrs. Vidian and I. We put ourselves on the trail of any Armenians who lived in Paris. One friend led us to another. At last we tracked down women, each of whom could knit the special stitch. Two weeks later the sweaters were finished. And the first shipment from the new house of Schiaparelli was on its way to the United States!
我和維迪安太太像偵探似地開始行動，我們追蹤任何一位住在巴黎的亞美尼亞人。一個朋友把我們介紹給另一個朋友，就這樣我們終于找到了20名亞美尼亞婦女，她們個個都會這種特殊的針法。兩星期后，毛線衫都織好了，新開張的斯基亞帕雷利時裝店第一批貨物被發往美國！
From that day a steady stream of clothes and perfumes flowed from the house of Schiaparelli. I found the world of fashion gay and exciting, full of challenge and adventure. I shall never forget one showing which was really a challenge. Once again Father's advice helped me. I was busy getting ready to show my winter fashions. Then just 13 days before the presentation the sewing girls were called out on strike. I found myself left with one tailor and woman who was in charge of the sewing room! I was as gloomy as my models and salesgirls. "We'll never make it,"one of them cried.
從那天開始，一批批時裝和香水源源不斷地從新開張的時裝店售出。我發現時裝業充滿競爭和冒險，令人愉快和興奮。我永生難忘那一次真正充滿挑戰的服裝展覽，是爸爸的那條忠告再次幫助了我。我正忙著準備展覽冬季時裝，就在時裝表演開始前13天，縫紉女工們被叫去參加罷工，我發現只剩下我自己、一個裁縫和一個縫紉車間的女主管！我像我的模特和女售貨員一樣沮喪，有一個女售貨員哭道："我們絕對趕不上了！"
Here, I thought, is the test of all tests for Father's advice. Where is the way out this time? I wondered and worried. I was certain we would have to call off the presentation or else show the clothes unfinished. Then it dawned on me. Why not show the clothes unfinished?
我想，此時是對父親的忠告最嚴峻的考驗。這次的出路在哪兒呢？我滿腹狐疑，心急如焚。我確信只有兩條路可走：要么取消時裝表演；要么展出沒有完工的時裝。就在這時，我茅塞頓開：為什么不把沒有做完的衣服拿出來展覽呢？
We worked hurriedly. And, exactly 13 days later, right on time, the Schiaparelli showing took place.
我們緊張匆忙地工作著。正好13天后，斯基亞帕雷利的時裝展覽準時開幕了。
What a showing it was! Some coats had no sleeves; others had only one. Many of our clothes were still in an early stage. They were only patterns made of heavy cotton cloth. But on these we pinned sketches and pieces of material. In this way we were able to show that what colors and textures the clothes would have when they were finished.
這是一次什么樣的展覽呀！有些上衣沒有袖子，有的只有一只袖子，許多衣服還在初縫階段。它們只是一些用厚棉布做成的衣服試樣，但在這些試樣上我們別上了衣服的草圖和衣料，這樣我們就能告訴人們這些衣服做成之后的顏色和質地。
All in all, the showing was different. It was so different that it was a great success. Our unusual showing caught the attention of the public, and orders for the clothes poured in.
總而言之，這次服裝展別開生面，它太不同凡響了，竟取得了巨大的成功。不尋常的展覽吸引了公眾的注意，訂單源源不斷。
Father's wise words had guided me once again. There is more than one way to the square always.
父親很有見地的那番話再次指引我度過了難關。通往廣場的路的確不止一條。
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