Never would I have guessed who met me in the screening of “Bride Wars” today. It was one of Canada’s most successful bridal designers. My jaw must have dropped, I was so shocked to learn she was mixed up in this mafia business.

She sat next to me and slid one of her beautiful special occasion satchels under my seat.

“What is it?” I asked.

“You’re my contact and you don’t even know why you’re here?” she asked back, incredulously. “Don’t you know about the arrangement?”

I gave her a blank look.

“Geez..” she muttered. “I pay the amount they request and they don’t even train you? What a rip-off. Well, since the sound is so loud in here are the lights are off, I guess I can fill you in without any worry of bugs tracing our conversation. Okay, here’s the story…wow…I still can’t believe you don’t know this…There’s no way to break it to you gently, so I’ll come right out and say it. Every single Canadian fashion designer who has achieved any international success has done it with the help of the Fashion Mafia. We pay them a protection and promotion fee and they help us. Only a few of us can afford it, but it’s worth it.”

My whole world was turning around. I was proud of Canadian designers who were international darlings. They did it because they were brilliant designers and their hard work. Didn’t they?

She read my mind. “Oh, it’s not just about being able to pay. We also have to prove our worthiness to the Fashion Mafia. Remember a few years ago when I had breast cancer and missed a season? Well, it wasn’t breast cancer; I was in training. Now here I am, a successful international bridal designer. Sure, I might have to do some questionable things every now and then and the fee is steep, but it’s worth it. Look on screen. There’s one of my dresses.”

I looked up and sure enough, it was one of her signature designs on Kate Hudson. That kind of exposure is invaluable. Any questionable actions were worth the investment indeed. The mission wasn’t so bad after all.