Naisten aarreaitta

Denise arrives in Paris with her two younger brothers after a long, cramped journey, clutching a bundle of fabric and a small child in her arms. The bustling streets lead them to a massive new department store whose glittering windows promise a world of silk, wool and endless variety. For the shop assistant who has spent two years in a modest provincial boutique, the sheer scale of the place awakens a mixture of awe and restless ambition.

Inside, the aisles overflow with swatches, accessories and garments displayed like a treasure trove, each price tag flashing in the early morning light. As Denise wanders among the mirrored halls, she sees an opportunity to lift her family out of poverty and to reinvent herself among the fashionable crowd of Paris. Yet the grandeur also hints at the fierce competition and the relentless pace that will test her resolve.