9. Chapter Nine #3
Pamplemousse barked at us as if to back up Claude.
Out the door they went. The cameras in the room turned to the designers for our reactions.
They were saucy to say the least. Many in the workroom began hastily trying to change things, which seemed a good call since an icon had told them to enhance, but I wasn’t taking away a coat.
That would destroy the whole expression of the heaviness of grief.
My gut clenched. It was ballsy to shoot down the advice of our coach but an artist had to have faith in his art.
If I was sent home then so be it. I’d have at least stood by my design and that had to count for something.
Claude Barrons was a puzzle. How could one man be so sexy and tender then turn around and be so cold and snide not ten hours later?
***
That evening I stood before the judges to hear my grades.
“This ensemble speaks without shouting which was the whole point of the assignment. I love it. You’ve accessorized perfectly with the sling back pumps and the navy cross body bag.
The gold chain strap on the bag breaks up the darkness of the fabric.
I would buy this and wear it to a movie opening,” Soline said then turned to the other judges who all nodded. My exhale was huge.
“Merci, Soline.”
She smiled sweetly at me.
“I agree, I gave this outfit the highest grade,” Garbriel concurred. “Beautifully done. Seamless crafting. The coats flowed around her as she walked. Gorgeous.”
“Merci, Gabriel,” I replied with a short bow.
“I want this,” Madeleine commented, drawing laughs from the other judges. She would look amazing in it with her slim build. “Can I take this off her?” We all chuckled. “Seriously, I would love to wear this to the Vision & Son Video Awards in Marseille in November.”
“I…I’d be honored to give it to you to wear, Celeste,” I croaked as she clapped in glee. My gods, a pop star would be wearing a Kinder Graham to a major European awards show. I slipped my hand into the pocket of my dark green pants to pinch my thigh. It hurt. Yep, this was really happening.
Marcel Fournier, a huge designer in his own right, gave me a slow nod.
“Wonderful work. The linings of the coats are exquisite. The construction is superb. Dark and mysterious. I can see this woman walking down the streets of Paris on a cold, rainy night, as she hurries to meet a lover. Tell me, what did you pluck for inspiration from the painting that led you to this stunning design?”
“Merci, Marcel. The man in the painting had pained eyes and seeing the agony in his gaze reminded me of how I felt when my father died. I was ten at the time. I felt as if I wanted to scream but couldn’t because everyone was now telling me I was the man of the house.
I wanted my design to capture that in the way the coats billow around her just as grief swells around our hearts when someone passes away. ”
There was a moment of silence then Mickey, who was standing beside me on the runway, gave my arm a squeeze. I shot him a wobbly smile.
“Well, I would say you perfectly captured the swells and surges of emotion that makes an outfit one of a kind. Felicitations, Kinder, you have the highest grades for this assignment and are the winner. You may take your seat,” Soline announced.
“Thank you, thank you. Merci!” I gushed, jogging to my seat where several of the other designers gave me hugs and soft congratulations.
Mickey sat behind me, grabbing my shoulders to give me a playful shake.
Suki joined us, safe again. Madeleine Monroe, a quiet mouse of a woman with dull red hair was sent back home to Dublin.
I’d barely gotten to know her well but I was sad to see her go.
We made our way back to the lounge where we’d gather to chat then be pulled out for little personal confessionals wittily called ‘Off the Cuff Moments’.
We moved as a pack, arms linked around each other me, Mickey, Suki, and Ayumi.
The four of us had clicked right off and were growing close rapidly.
Claude stood in the wings, passing along compliments to those who had moved onto the next assignment.
When I walked up to him I paused, feeling a little ungraceful about the swell of vindication in my heart, as our gazes met.
“You did well, Kinder. I’m very glad to see that you stood by your convictions.
This is a good lesson for all of you.” His sight touched on the three new friends gathered around me.
“Being proud of your work, sure of your talent, and confident in your design is paramount. The moment you allow someone else to hold the shears you’re allowing them to create the pattern of your life.
Always trust the original thread of your creative process. ”
He said the most amazing things. I could stand here and listen to him talk for days. That accent combined with his wisdom and life experience appealed to me so damn much.
“Merci, Claude.” I wasn’t sure what to say other than to thank him. Had he ripped into all of us as a test to see who wouldn’t back down from their vision, or had he just been tired and shitty? I’d probably never know.
“Now go celebrate your victory. Tomorrow brings another day and another assignment.” He waved us off, his gaze holding mine for a moment or two before Mickey looped his arm around my neck to pull me to the lounge for celebratory cold drinks and baked goods.
It might not be a raucous party but it sure would be joyous.
I’d won my first assignment and, to top it off, Madeleine Delon was going to wear my outfit. How could life get any better?