ATB: All Things Beautiful
On 88th Spring 516AV, 516AV, Amelia divulged her intention of opening a shop.
As outlined above, this 'emporium' will offer the following goods/services:
The scented candles and perfumery will require specialist manufacturers to be employed. Amelia has already met an NPC candle-maker (here and here), who will be one of the first employees. At some point, hair styling and massage will also be made available. These services will also require the relevant specialists to be employed.
Business Philosophy
Despite her own need to be surrounded by beautiful things and the latest fashions, Amelia understands that fashion and beauty are not necessary for survival. Instead, she regards them as luxuries (albeit an important one) that reflect the advancement of society:
As indicated above, Amelia holds the deep belief that fashion and beauty are indicators of a good life, a sign that the worse of times are over and that we can begin to concentrate our attention on other, more enjoyable, things.
Amelia deeply believes that fashion is for all, as evidenced by her offers and attempts to design fashionable garments for a variety of people (including a male acrobat, a pregnant female and a male with a fondness for fabulous ballgowns). Likewise she believes that fashion and beauty should highlight those individualities that make us all different, a means of self-expression:
And finally, the term fashion and beauty is not just limited to clothing and make-up. Amelia is a lover all 'pretty things' that improve the appearance, scent and feel of the world around her.
Business Name & Personal meaning
When it came to imagining a name for her future business, the choice was an obvious one for Amelia:
ATB, which the business will be known as by most, not only stands for All Things Beautiful, but also for Amelia's own initials. Whilst not exactly modest, this naming of her future business indicates a change in Amelia. She has decided to add her mother's maiden name onto the end of her own surname, no longer being Amelia Trisswell, but rather Amelia Trisswell-Barker.
She refuses to be known as 'just a Trisswell' thanks to her father's adulterous affair which destroyed her parents' marriage and concluded with her father leaving his family. And much as she wants to cut all ties with him, she also acknowledges her desire to 'refuse to run away from the name'. He might have sullied the name, but Amelia is determined to not let her father's sins change her life anymore than they already have.
On 88th Spring 516AV, 516AV, Amelia divulged her intention of opening a shop.
“Not a shop. An emporium. Of beautiful things. Clothes, make-up, candles, perfume, jewellery. I want to create a world inside this one that lacks the ugliness and pain of real life.” Though Amelia now spoke quietly, slowly, there was something about her tone of voice and the tightness of her jaw that made Isobel realise just how determined she was. This was no idle daydream that Amelia had sketched out on a quiet day in the office. This was a constructed plan, an entire world.
As outlined above, this 'emporium' will offer the following goods/services:
- Boutique clothing designed & handmade by Amelia
- Cosmetology goods to sell
- In-store make overs
- Scented candles
- Perfume
- Jewellery *As there is already an established jewellers in Lhavit, this may not be possible
The scented candles and perfumery will require specialist manufacturers to be employed. Amelia has already met an NPC candle-maker (here and here), who will be one of the first employees. At some point, hair styling and massage will also be made available. These services will also require the relevant specialists to be employed.
Business Philosophy
Despite her own need to be surrounded by beautiful things and the latest fashions, Amelia understands that fashion and beauty are not necessary for survival. Instead, she regards them as luxuries (albeit an important one) that reflect the advancement of society:
But to Amelia, beauty was everywhere and was not limited by income or upbringing. If a society could afford time and money on beauty, it was a sign that the civilisation had reached the point of no longer being critical and based on survival alone. Making things beautiful was Amelia’s own twisted way of thanking the individuals who had made Lhavit what it was today.
This is what fashion is about, she thought humbly as she watched Benedict. It’s a luxury, yes, and not needed for survival, but it is the difference between misery and happiness.
But little did they know her plans, her dreams. Yes, they revolved around fashion and beauty which, whilst not saving lives, at least improved the quality a life lived.
As indicated above, Amelia holds the deep belief that fashion and beauty are indicators of a good life, a sign that the worse of times are over and that we can begin to concentrate our attention on other, more enjoyable, things.
Amelia deeply believes that fashion is for all, as evidenced by her offers and attempts to design fashionable garments for a variety of people (including a male acrobat, a pregnant female and a male with a fondness for fabulous ballgowns). Likewise she believes that fashion and beauty should highlight those individualities that make us all different, a means of self-expression:
“Fashion is all about expressing yourself,” She continued with deep reverence for the subject, “and as we’re all unique, our fashion needs to be as well.”
And finally, the term fashion and beauty is not just limited to clothing and make-up. Amelia is a lover all 'pretty things' that improve the appearance, scent and feel of the world around her.
“I am a seamstress by trade.” She explained patiently, shrugging her shoulders and keeping her voice low, lest her employer overhear that her passions extended far beyond sewing alone. “But I enjoy all aspects of beauty. Hair, cosmetology, perfume… Anything that makes the world prettier.”
Business Name & Personal meaning
When it came to imagining a name for her future business, the choice was an obvious one for Amelia:
“What does ATB mean?”
The faintest of smiles touched Amelia’s eyes. “All Things Beautiful [...] I named it after myself.”
“Your name is Amelia Trisswell. AT. Not ATB.”
“Yes, well.” Amelia’s green eyes – mirror images of Isobel’s own – flickered to the carpeted floor below. When she next spoke, Isobel was surprised that her cousin did not sound like a demanding tyrant as before, or even an aspirational young woman. She sounded like a hurt child. “I don’t want to be Amelia Trisswell anymore. Not after my…” She swallowed, eyes still glued to her feet, “not after he left. I want to change my name to Amelia Trisswell-Barker, to take up my mothers’ maiden name. I refuse to be just a Trisswell, but I refuse to run away from the name, either.”
ATB, which the business will be known as by most, not only stands for All Things Beautiful, but also for Amelia's own initials. Whilst not exactly modest, this naming of her future business indicates a change in Amelia. She has decided to add her mother's maiden name onto the end of her own surname, no longer being Amelia Trisswell, but rather Amelia Trisswell-Barker.
She refuses to be known as 'just a Trisswell' thanks to her father's adulterous affair which destroyed her parents' marriage and concluded with her father leaving his family. And much as she wants to cut all ties with him, she also acknowledges her desire to 'refuse to run away from the name'. He might have sullied the name, but Amelia is determined to not let her father's sins change her life anymore than they already have.
