Brooklyn Featured In Children's 'Love Story' To NYC Fashion

BROOKLYN, NY — The release of former Brooklyn shop owner Stacy Johnson's first children's book may be the realization of her own 20-year dream, but she hopes it is just the start of one for a new generation of fashionistas.

The new book, "Mabel The Fashion Muse," aims to give kids a realistic look into New York City's fashion industry through the adventures of a come-to-life dress form, inspired by the mannequin Johnson used in real life when starting out in the business.

"Most books or story lines about fashion depicted petty social drama or were an unrealistic view on how the fashion industry actually worked," Johnson told Patch.

"I wanted to create this book to inspire future designers and give girls the tools and power to be their own fashion entrepreneur some day. I think a whimsical dress form, like Mabel, is the perfect relatable character to tell my entrepreneurial story."

Johnson, a Parsons School of Design graduate, owned Stacia New York boutiques in Carroll Gardens and Dumbo before moving to California in 2004.

The idea for "Mabel The Fashion Muse" started when she was still in Brooklyn and Mabel was the trademark for her burgeoning business, Johnson said, though she didn't yet have the time to dedicate herself to writing the book.

Fittingly, 20 years later, the children's book is a "love story to NYC."

"Girls who dream of being a designer will enjoy the colorful watercolor depictions of New York City life," Johnson said.

Mabel's adventures include strolls through Dumbo under the Manhattan Bridge, the boutiques on Smith Street, an F train subway stop, a designer showroom hotspot on Manhattan's Seventh Avenue, a famous button kiosk and Canal Street in Chinatown, Johnson said.

Most of the stories have ties to Johnson's real-life experiences in the fashion industry, whether it be finding perfect accessories for a show or being backstage ushering models onto the runway. Each page also includes a "quick tip box" at the bottom of the page that gives the reader a little more insider information, Johnson said.

The idea, Johnson said, is to give young readers an "entrepreneurial seed" rather than just a "frivolous book" about the industry. Kids can also go to her website for more design-related activities.

"I know growing up loving fashion and wanting to be a designer myself, I would have devoured a resource like this, providing an insider’s view of a day in the life of a designer preparing for a big fashion show," she said.

Check out some of the NYC spots featured in the book here:

All photos Courtesy of Stacy Johnson and Austin Macauley Publishers.