Chapter 198 Making Zhong Zhiwan Look Utterly Ugly [1st Update]

Each design drawing is projected onto the screen in front.

The details are magnified to make it easier for all judges to view.

After this design was presented, the judges only glanced at it and, without even examining it closely, their expressions changed completely, and they instantly fell silent.

The set of four images previously sent by Chuguang Media was designed based on the four mythical beasts of Eastern mythology.

The element of the Four Divine Beasts is not uncommon; it appears in every fashion design competition, given that many designers and companies come from China.

However, since the competition was established, only that one set has left a deep impression on them.

The judges are all top designers in the design industry with sharp eyes.

Even though the design drawing sent by Huaxiu differed from that of Chuguang Media, they could still tell that the former had copied the latter, but it hadn't copied any of the essential parts.

Not to mention, the original set consisted of four dresses, but Huaxiu's design only shows one.

These design competitions are rife with plagiarism, but most of the plagiarism involves unknown designers.

There has never been a single instance of plagiarism where another entry was directly copied.

"This Hua Xiu has quite the nerve." The woman sneered, slamming her hand on the table as she stood up. "Does she not know her own limitations? She even dares to copy the design drawings from Chuguang Media?"

In previous years, although Chuguang Media never made it into the top three, it always left Huaxiu, which ranked fifteenth or lower, far behind.

The two are not even in the same league.

However, if Chuguang Media hadn't sent that set of design drawings this time, Huaxiu would definitely have made it into the top three with just this one design.

The other judges also looked very serious.

One of them asked, "Are the designers at Huaxiu related to the designers at Chuguang Media? Are they colleagues?"

Otherwise, how could it be copied so closely?

Even the patterns on the cuffs are exactly the same.

“Let me see.” Another judge bowed his head. “The designer of the embroidery is named ‘Zhong Zhiwan,’ I’ve never heard of her before. She must be a new designer, considering her age—”

His gaze shifted downwards, and his expression changed again: "17 years old. Logically speaking, it's impossible for someone that age to have such profound design skills."

Of course, geniuses are an exception.

Unfortunately, this design was copied from somewhere.

"It's undoubtedly plagiarism." The judge's face turned ugly. "This kind of design wouldn't even make it to the semi-finals. If it gets out, it will be a laughing stock."

What is the most taboo thing in the design world?

It's nothing more than plagiarism.

Once a designer is branded with those two words, their career is over.

"Return it directly." One of the judges on the right nodded. "Since Huaxiu dared to use a plagiarized work this time, she might do it again next time."

"Huaxiu and its designers must be banned from participating in future fashion design competitions!"

“No need.” The woman raised her hand to stop them, saying calmly, “Since they are so bold as to submit plagiarized works, they must be quite confident.”

"At this point in time, the dresses should all be in production and the materials should be ready. We can't let them waste their time."

Upon hearing her words, the other judges all looked over, somewhat surprised: "What do you mean?"

The woman is thirty-six years old and her name is Martha Menuhin.

She is the youngest woman to have received the highest honor in the design industry, and she is also the head of the judging panel this time.

She makes all the decisions when it comes to important matters.

“What I mean is, let them continue to compete.” Martha nodded. “Make room for another entry in the finals, so that plagiarized works don’t take up other good ones.”

"Don't you like plagiarism? Let this designer named Zhong Zhiwan plagiarize to his heart's content in broad daylight and make a fool of himself."

Martha had no liking for plagiarism and abhorred it.

Her work was once plagiarized by her classmates.

If she hadn't saved the drafts in advance, she would not only have been bitten in return but also driven out of the design industry.

And then there's the sight of someone stealing your work, which is rightfully yours, and giving away unparalleled glory in return.

"It's a good idea," one judge agreed. "It also serves as a warning to other contestants so that this can be prevented from happening again."

After the judging panel finished their discussion, they specifically selected the Huaxiu design drawings and then looked at the other entries.

**

Three days later.

Ke Huizhu then received an invitation to the finals.

Although this wasn't the first time Hua Xiu had received such a call, she was still very excited.

She was certain that with this design, Huaxiu would be able to gain a foothold in the international design world, and would receive a constant stream of invitations in the future.

“Mr. Ke, don’t you think a high school student couldn’t possibly design something like this?” The assistant couldn’t help but ask. “Besides, this dress actually has some flaws.”

For example, the lines at the waist belt area are a bit uneven.

“Alright, I’ve checked. The style of this ‘Vermilion Bird’ doesn’t belong to any well-known designer.” Ke Huizhu waved her hand. “If it’s an unknown designer, do you think they could compete with Hua Xiu? They probably wouldn’t even have the cost to make this dress.”

A small bribe to keep quiet is enough.

Although Huaxiu is not a top-tier company, it can still pave the way for a young designer's future career in the design industry.

The assistant didn't dare to say anything more.

"Even if something really happens, the designer will take care of it." Ke Huizhu said dismissively, "This kind of thing is not something we need to worry about."

Clutching the invitation to the finals, she thought for a moment and asked, "How's the dress making going?"

"Half of it is already finished," the assistant hurriedly reported. "As you instructed, the best materials are being used, and the materials alone are worth three million."

After the dresses are finished, they will need to hire models.

Ke Huizhu's expression softened, and she nodded: "Take me to see."

**

Huaxiu specializes in providing custom-made clothing for small and medium-sized families in the capital, and naturally owns a large factory.

After entering, Ke Huizhu went straight to the innermost part.

Inside, there were twelve designers and tailors making this gift.

One of the designers was frowning as he looked at the right sleeve of the dress, looking quite troubled.

"What's wrong?" Ke Huizhu walked over. "Time is running out, don't waste it."

“Mr. Ke, I think this floral pattern is a bit strange,” the designer said. “If we remove it, it won’t affect the overall look, but if we remove it, the dress will lose its stunning quality.”

"Then we won't go." Ke Huizhu gave him a strange look. "The design drawings have already been submitted, how can you still make changes?"

The designer swallowed back the words, "I think this pattern looks like it forms a character."

"Get ready, I'll give you eight more days." Ke Huizhu clapped her hands. "In eight days, the models will have to try them on."

**

Shanghai.

Chuguang Media Branch.

"Boss, the four dresses you designed are finished." The female secretary placed the documents on the table, looking on with envy. "If they weren't so expensive, I would like to try them on too."

"You like it?" Ying Zijing took the document and flipped through it. "After the fashion show, you can pick one to take home."

The female secretary was about to be overjoyed, but then she heard the next sentence.

"The cost of materials will be deducted from your salary."

"..."

"Then forget it." The female secretary was heartbroken. "My monthly salary isn't even enough to buy a sleeve."

If design drawings alone are not enough, the materials used in garment making are also of paramount importance.

Otherwise, it will not only fail to make people feel the beauty of the design, but will also appear vulgar and disgusting.

"These two sets are for Xie Manyu," Ying Zijin pondered. "She can handle them. The other two sets are for Shang Yaozhi."

This set of mythological-themed dresses includes the Vermilion Bird and White Tiger pieces, which are women's wear, and the Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise pieces, which are men's wear.

Xie Manyu is a double Golden Horse Award winner under Chuguang Media. She is 32 years old this year, which is the prime of a female star's life.

Although actresses born in the late 1990s and early 2000s have a larger fan base, they still lack the necessary presence.

"Okay, Actress Xie will be flying back from abroad the day after tomorrow." The female secretary nodded. "Actor Shang has also just finished promoting 'Pink Makeup Spy Shadow'."

"Pink Makeup Spy Shadow" was the last TV series Shang Yaozhi filmed for Starlight Entertainment.

As you can tell from the name, it's a female-centric drama, which shows how ruthless Star Entertainment is at exploiting its audience.

Despite the vampire theme, the plot and characters in this drama are quite good; otherwise, it wouldn't have been broadcast on a major network.

The female secretary walked out with her iPad, still following the latest news.

“Boss, this dress…” she suddenly stopped, “Why does it look so much like ours?”

She returned to her desk and handed over the iPad, which displayed a Weibo post.

[@LuoziyueV: Haven't been out in a while, here's a sneak peek at some content.]

(End of this chapter)