"A Love Story"

by

         Gail Kandel       

Vasarri was brought to life as a result of those unexpected twists and turns that life takes.  VASARRI is a love story.  It's my story and it all began in l998.  My former business was about to close as we came to the end of a long lease.  Retirement was on the agenda until I saw an empty store that I fell in love with.  It had once been the home of a ladies store that was built in the early 80's with no expenses spared.  Custom tray ceilings, woodwork all hand cut, customized mirrors and shelving....it was a sleeping beauty, just waiting to be brought back to life.

After sleepless nights and endless hours talking to myself about what direction to take, I made the decision that this was how I wanted to spend my retirement.  I would find a way to create a vision; something to be proud of at the end of a lifetime;  my "late in life" baby.

The name came from my Italian art books.  Every name I envisioned was trademarked and not available, so I turned my thoughts to Italy as I frequently do.  Vasarri was a fresco painter in Renaissance Florence.  He is well known to art students as having written the definitive art history of Italy up to his era.  The name sounded exactly like the vision I had of the store to come....and it has lived up to my every expectation.

Our evolution has brought many designers to the Baltimore area such as Escada, Zenobia, and Renee Lezard in designer sportswear.  Gown designers include Skinz, Marissa Baratelli, Melinda Eng. Stephen Yearick, and Robert Danes.  Our shoe salon features Jimmy Choo, Pollini, Stuart Weitzman, Cole Haan, Lily Holt and many others.  Constant travels to fashion capitols and a discerning eye to interpret fashion for our market keep the store fresh and constantly evolving.

Like every baby, this one needs lots of love, hard work, and constant changing.  Along the way I was lucky enough to find a wonderful team to work with and we've received numerous awards, from many "Best of Baltimore" to Baltimore County "Entrepreneur of the Year".  It has afforded me the opportunity to donate profits to various charities, as well as hosting benefits for fund raising.  To build relationships as well as to give back to the community.  This was the dream....this has become the reality.  Vasarri is still a love story....my love story....my dream turned into reality.  Please come share the story and be part of our future.