Chapter 87: The Story Behind The Mask
“Finally! It’s the day we have all been waiting for!” The host announced. “It’s the finals, and today, to get an overall winner, Wilson’s fashion team will be going against Lily’s!”
Cheers of excitement erupted all over the hall as the fans of each team raised banners and lights to cheer the teams on.
“I am as excited as you all are,” the host laughed. “This year’s competition has been the most exciting national competition in the fashion world so far. Not only do we get to witness talented individuals competing against one another, but we also get to witness some amazing drama. I can retire without regrets now.”
“Anyway, I don’t want to bore you with my long talks. I can already feel all your impatience. So without wasting much time, we will invite both teams to the floor.” He continued.
“The theme given by the team is a futuristic concept. We want our designers to bring the future into the present. We want to be carried away by the dreams and aspirations that involve the future,” the host announced.
“Now, we should all know that this concept can be interpreted in many ways, and that’s the idea behind this segment. We want creativity and innovations; go all out and enlighten us with what you think the future of fashion will be.”
“Now we invite both themes to show us their creativity!” He announced and walked off the runway just as the models walked out one after the other.
The lights dimmed, and the audience fell silent as the first model gracefully stepped onto the runway.
The Wilson fashion team had created striking attire that combined elements of science fiction and high fashion.
The model wore a sleek, metallic bodysuit adorned with LED lights that changed colours in sync with the model and the music’s rhythm. A transparent, holographic cape flowed behind her, and her hair was styled in an avant-garde manner, giving her an otherworldly appearance.
As the music intensified, the male emerged wearing an equally breathtaking design. His attire was made from innovative, sustainable materials that shimmered in the spotlight, pushing the boundaries of traditional fashion.
The Wilson team’s collection featured a diverse range of styles and colours, each representing a unique interpretation of the futuristic theme.
As the two models walked side by side, the crowd erupted into a loud cheer as a result of the creativity of the designer and the expertise of the tailor, who had pieced the whole thing together.
Once the applause subsided, anticipation filled the air as everyone awaited Lily’s team’s designs. The lights changed, and the first model from Lily’s team took to the stage.
Alana’s outfit was a beautiful fusion of elegance and futurism, with a structured, shimmering silver gown that seemed to float around her as she walked. The dress was paired with an intricate headpiece that resembled a celestial crown, drawing inspiration from the cosmos.
While her mask was made in a way to not only conceal her identity, it was also made in a way that completed the attire, giving the wearer a mysterious identity, like a faceless person.
As Gary walked the runway, it became evident that their team had focused on creating a unified collection that paid homage to both classic fashion and cutting-edge design.
Each piece featured a combination of flowing fabrics, in terms of gowns and down jackets. Innovative materials and intricate detailing told a story of how the past and future could coexist in the world of fashion.
Lily’s team incorporated elements of nature, technology, and science into their designs, showcasing a deep understanding of how the future could be influenced by the world around us. The colour palette ranged from ethereal pastels to bold, vibrant hues, creating a visual spectacle that captivated the audience.
Almost everyone had several stories in their heads as to what inspired the designs. Almost all of them could guess what the story behind each of the designs was.
A rebirth.
A new beginning.
A start-over that learns from the past to form future paths.
From the news on the internet, they could tell that the design was a representation of Lily’s experience and her hope for the future.
“I knew I just had to be here in person for the finals! This is amazing!”This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
“Who said Wilson had the upper hand just now? This is Lily taking over as the unstoppable newcomer.”
“So relatable! So fascinating!”
“If I had to watch this on the screen, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life!”
“Who turned the AC to the highest?! Why am I having goosebumps just from watching some models walk the runway?”
“This is a thoughtful choice! I’m here to support Wilson, but why is my hand voting for Lily’s?”
As much as the audience could not suppress their excitement, even the judges were left dumbstruck, unable to point out any fault in either designer’s work.
Even then, they all knew who had won the segment, even without announcing it.
“Wow!” The host breathed into the microphone as he stepped back on stage.
“I mean. I knew this segment was going to be exciting, but not this exciting! Continue casting your vote. The voting page will close in the next thirty minutes, and in that time, we will be asking the teams some questions,” he announced, inviting both designers to the stage.
“How do you feel about this competition?”
“Well, it’s been exciting so far. I’m glad I could compete amongst the nation’s top young designers,” Shannon replied with a smile as she waved to the cheering crowd.
The host turned to Lily and said, “I had lots of fun, and I was able to meet amazing people while also learning from them. It’s great being here,” she replied calmly.
“That’s wonderful to hear!” the host exclaimed, beaming at both designers. “Your enthusiasm for the competition and respect for one another are truly commendable. Now, let’s dive into some questions about your designs for tonight.”
He turned to Shannon. “Shannon, your team’s use of metallic elements and LED lights created a futuristic atmosphere that captivated the audience. Can you share your inspiration behind these choices?”
Shannon smiled. “Absolutely! Our team drew inspiration from science fiction and the idea of technology becoming more integrated with our daily lives. We wanted to showcase how fashion might evolve alongside technological advancements while maintaining its essence of self-expression.”
The host nodded, impressed by her vision. He then shifted his focus to Lily. “Lily, your team’s collection showcased a harmonious blend of nature and technology. What message were you trying to convey through your designs?”
Lily took a deep breath, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. “Our collection aimed to emphasise the importance of sustainability and the role of technology in preserving our planet. We wanted to show that fashion can be both beautiful and environmentally conscious, setting a precedent for the future.”
The audience listened intently, captivated by the depth of thought put into each design. The host, equally impressed, continued with more questions, exploring deeper into the designers’ creative processes, challenges faced during the competition, and aspirations for the future of the fashion industry.
As the questioning came to an end, the host turned to the audience.
“It’s the time we’ve all been waiting for. The moment of truth,” he grinned.
“I’m assuming we’ve all cast our votes as the voting channel will be closed in a few seconds.”
“We encourage you all to share your feedback for this year’s competition and tell us how we can improve in the next year’s competition.”
The hostess walked on the stage holding an envelope containing the results of the competition.
“For this year’s annual fashion competition, coming in third place is the Funray fashion school!” The host announced.
Daisy and her team stepped forward and received the award with bright, beautiful smiles. “Thank you all for your support and encouragement. We promise to continue to deliver the best,” she bowed and stood aside for the host to announce the second place.
“Oh goodness, it’s been an exciting one, hasn’t it? How I wish it wouldn’t end yet,” he joked, purposely building the tension before announcing the winner.
“Coming in second place is,” he said, taking a break and pursing his lips. “Let’s come back tomorrow for the announcement,” he joked, making the audience laugh.
“Before I announce the winner, Miss Lily, the audience has a question and a request for you,” the host announced, and Lily nodded.
“Now the question is, do you and your team wear masks? Is it a brand thing or is there a reason behind it?” He asked, and Lily looked towards her teammates, who gave a nod in encouragement.
“Well, there is a reason behind it,” she replied.
“Is it something you can tell us?” The host continued.
“I’ve gotten permission, so yes, it is,” she replied, taking off her mask. “I’m sure you’re all familiar with my face,” she laughed. “Or maybe at least most people are.”
“So the story behind the masks wearing is actually based on the relationship between myself and Merissa and the identities of my teammates,” she began.
“My make-up model is an identical twin with his brother, who is a popular celebrity. It would have created controversy if he had stepped onto the stage with his face bare; we didn’t want to go through that,” she explained.
“And lastly, my beautiful tailor was also under some family circumstances at the time, and it would have created a bigger controversy with her face bare, and that’s why we decided to wear masks,” she explained.
“Oh my, so at this time, can you show us your faces?”
“No, not yet. Of course, you’d get to meet us shortly, but not yet,” she replied calmly, and the host nodded as he returned to the announcement.
“Coming in second place is… Wilson Fashion Academy!” The host announced, and Shannon bowed to the audience.
“And in the first place is none other than the black sheep of the competition… I’m sure you already know, but I’ll still announce it… First place goes to Lily’s Fashion!”