Chapter 117
After the announcement of the competition theme, the 100 pardeipating designers were each assigned to their respective workspaces. There were 100 studios in total, allocated randomly by drawing lots.
Cynthia was assigned studio nine, while Shirley got studio 38. Their workspaces were far apart. Over the next 48 hours, each designer had to sketch their design and create a finished piece.
The competition organizers would provide the designers with all necessary support, such as the materials, no matter how rare or expensive. As long as the design was innovative, the cost was nothing to be worried about.
Each studio was equipped with an assistant. These were university students from design schools who were there to assist but not to contribute to the design itself.
Before they started, the designers met with their models to ensure the final piece would be tailored perfectly to the model’s figure at the final showcase..
The more skilled designers would even take into account the model’s skin tone and physique when creating their designs.
Cynthia’s model was a stunning, tanned woman. She was tall, towering at over six feet, with impeccable proportions. After taking the model’s measurements, Cynthia immersed herself in her design.
Meanwhile, Shirley could barely contain her excitement when she heard the competition theme–time. To her this theme was nothing short of a gift from fate..
The theme lay in that design book Shirley had stumbled upon. She had discovered the book tucked away in the study of the Jones residence, buried among piles of dusty volumes.
Inside the design book were hand–drawn, exquisite, and brilliant designs, each piece an explosion of creativity. Every design revolved around a specific theme.
However, the designs were too avant–garde and exaggerated. While they may be perfect for competition, they were far too bold for the mainstream market.
Before that, Shirley had modified a few designs from the design book she found and presented them. Justin and Selena had praised her talent for design after they saw the work.
By continuously copying and modifying the designs from the design book she found, Shirley managed to secure her position in Velorix’s design department.
With the theme for the competition, there was no need for any revisions. Shirley distinctly remembered that the design book had a design sketch of a piece themed Time,”
It featured a dress that embraced the changing seasons–with intricate embroidery of peach blossoms, cherry blossoms, crabapples, and winter plums–each representing a different season and strategically placed on various parts of the gown
The layout was exquisitely crafted, with all the flowers seamlessly embedded in the fabric, Shirley was overjoyed. Relying on the vivid memory in her mind, she swiftly sketched the design onto the paper.
Even Shirley’s assistant, who was standing nearby, was stunned. Watching the effortless strokes come to life on the page, the assistant praised genuinely. “Ms. Jones, you’re truly a genius.”
Shirley basked in the flattery. She had no fear of anyone discovering her plagiarism as she had scoured the internet, and none of the designs from the design book had ever appeared online.
Wally, designs of such caliber–if even one had surfaced or been submitted to a competition–would have caused an
in the fashion world. However, over the years, there had been nothing.
uproar
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Chapter 117
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Besides, Shirley had already modified several designs from the book for Velorix, where they had been turned into garments and launched on the market.
Although Shirley had made some alterations, much of the inspiration had come from that book. If the book’s original owner were still alive, they would surely have complained by now.
However, after so many years of absolute silence, only one conclusion could be drawn–the owner of the design book was no longer alive.
Shirley’s suspicion wasn’t entirely without reason. The design book in her hands had a distinctly vintage feel, and it might have been the work of some eccentric genius from decades ago.
Back then, such bold and innovative designs might not have been accepted by the world, leaving the design book as a hidden gem, lost to time, only to end up in her possession by some twist of fate.
Shirley felt incredibly lucky. Having this design book meant she could face even the most high–profile design competitions without fear. That was why she dared to take the plunge and enter the competition.
Fate seemed to be on Shirley’s side. The competition theme aligned with the design in the book. Perhaps this time, she would walk away with the Golden Pinnacle Award. Finally, she could crush Cynthia under her heel.
The 48–hour countdown finally ended, and nearly all the 100 designers had finished their pieces. Next up was the draw to determine the order in which models would showcase the designs
This time, Shirley drew number two, while Cynthia was number 22.
Before the showcase, all the designers brought their completed work backstage, where their assigned models were already waiting. As everyone gathered, they finally got to see one another’s creations.
The moment Shirley’s work appeared, it caused quite a stir backstage. After all, they were designers, and the quality of a piece could be recognized with just a glance.
Shirley, the newcomer, making her debut in the design competition, had created something truly extraordinary. Her work was breathtaking, Just a single look left people in awe.
Every line, every color choice, and every clever detail was perfectly placed. Other designers gathered around Shirley, their eyes filled with admiration. Many didn’t hold back their praise.
Shirley, basking in the compliments, felt a swell of pride. This was her moment to shine. She stepped away from the crowd, deliberately moving in Cynthia’s direction.
Yet, as Shirley neared, she noticed a crowd gathering around Cynthia. There were even murmurs of astonishment from the group.
Shirley had been sure her design would easily outshine Cynthia’s. However, when she finally laid eyes on the latter’s creation, she was utterly speechless.
Cynthia had designed a long gown. What immediately caught the eye was its surface. The entire surface of the dress was covered in a fine layer of sand, from top to bottom, draping over the entire gown.
Yet, embedded within the delicate grains were countless tiny crystals. From every angle, the dress sparkled and shimmered brilliantly. The gown itself was shaped like an hourglass, triangular at both the top and bottom
The front hemline barely reached mid–thigh, while the train flowed long and wide behind reminiscent of cascading desert
sands.
The dazzling interplay of light and color, and the way the skirt poured down like a river of sand, made it seem like a work of art from every viewpoint.
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Chapter II>
Shirley couldn’t fathom how Cynthia had managed to craft this breathtaking gown. How could Cynthia have transformed such mundane, fine grains of sand into a piece of gown that’s soul–stirring? contemplated Shirley.
A sense of unease crept into Shirley’s heart. Still, she masked heranxiety with disdain, muttering dismissively, “Just a flashy gimmick. Then, she returned to her seat.
The showcase was about to begin. This was no ordinary event. It was a global live broadcast, as the Pillere Fashion Design Competition was a major contest of the fashion world, renowned and highly prestigious.
Even before the competition had started, millions of viewers had flooded into the live room, with comments in various languages streaming across the screen in real time.
Aside from the online frenzy, the live audience was filled with distinguished guests, often the clite VIPs of the world’s most luxurious brands.
At that moment, sitting in the front row, in the best seat, was a handsome young man, casually flipping through the list of designers.
When the young man’s eyes landed on Cynthia’s name, a smile tugged at his lips, a small dimple appearing on his cheek.
