From trash to flash
A new generation of Spectras are setting up shop in LA and they’re taking over, one stolen Forrester design at a time.
The Bold & The Beautiful Weekdays SABC3 (*193) 17:30
It’s been forever since Forrester Creations had any real competition in the fashion industry and that is set to continue when Eric Forrester (John McCook) reads the papers on Thursday 1 March. The headquarters of his rivals Spectra Fashions is being demolished, 12 years after the brand closed in 2007. “They stole Forrester Creations designs and made it their own with cheap fabrics to sell at lower prices,” Eric tells his wife Quinn (Rena Sofer) that same day. “I am glad their legacy is coming down!” But Eric will choke on his words on Tuesday 6 March: Sally Spectra Jr (Courtney Hope) has moved to LA and she’s reviving Spectra Fashions!
BLAST FROM THE PAST
“The Spectras have been such an iconic part of Bold that we decided to bring them back to add a new dynamic and twists to the storyline,” explains Bold’s executive producer Bradley Bell. “They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but with the Spectras, it’s a case of the poisonous apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Brad adds that “if the Forresters are champagne, Sally and her bunch are box wine”.
PLAYING DIRTY
Sally Jr bears a striking resemblance to her great aunt Sally Spectra (Darlene Conley, who passed away in 2006 from stomach cancer): flaming red hair, bad taste in fashion “and she is prepared to do anything to dethrone the Forrester family,” explains Courtney. “Young Sally wants this company to be legit, but she realises right away that the narrowest path is not the easiest.” Sally Jr will be slipping into her great aunt Sally’s shoes pretty quickly, adds Courtney. “She will definitely get her hands dirty – stealing Forrester designs.” Sally Jr halts the demolition on Wednesday 7 March and settles in, ready to assemble a new team to take on Forrester.
GANGING UP
Sally Jr knows that she will need help if she’s to revive Spectra Fashions, so she brings in the big guns on Wednesday 7 March: her grandmother Shirley Spectra (Patrika Darbo, Nancy Wesley from 1999 to 2017 in Days Of Our Lives, 1965- current). “Sally and Shirley come from nothing,” explains Patrika. “Shirley worked in a bakery for years and raised Sally Jr after her parents flew the coop when she was a little girl. They are a tough, determined team. Oh, did I mention they are broke?” The pair will need funding to bring Spectra Fashions back to life, “So Shirley cashes her pension cheque to boost their new venture,” explains Patrika. Joining them on Wednesday 7 March is Sally Jr’s younger sister Coco (Courtney Grosbeck), who’s hoping that her big sister will help her get a foot in the door of the fashion world.
DESIGNS & NAILS
But what is a fashion house without a talented designer? Finding that perfect fit proves difficult for Sally Jr as “all the good ones are at Forrester Creations,” she laments to Shirley on Thursday 8 March. Interviews are set up for potential Spectra designers on Friday 9 March and only one candidate stands out for Sally Jr: Saul Feinberg Jr (Alex Wyse), who is co-incidentally the grandson of the original Sally’s designer and trusted confidante
Saul Sr (Michael Fox). “Saul Jr might be young, but he is ambitious like his grandfather,” says Alex. Topping off the ragtag team is Darlita (Danube Hermosillo), who joins the revamped Spectra Fashions as their receptionist (and probably more as time goes by. She steps into the shoes of Darla Forrester (Schae Harrison), who was the original Sally’s assistant. “Where Darla was a hard worker, Darlita is more interested in painting her nails than answering the phone,” jokes Danube.
FIRST PUNCH
If Sally Jr is going to get up to speed with her competition, she will need to hit the ground running. On Tuesday 13 March she follows Forrester youngsters Steffy and Thomas (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood and Pierson Fodé) to a restaurant to eavesdrop and get the scoop on Forrester Creations’ plans. She introduces herself to Steffy, saying that “I’m taking over Spectra Fashions. We are coming back – we are gonna give you a run for your money.” Sally Jr then sticks her finger in Steffy’s dessert and Steffy, who was clearly in the mood for that sweet treat, attacks Sally Jr by smooshing the dessert on her. If you’re going to fight dirty, you make sure that your enemy gets their just – and very sweet – desserts!