Chapter 63
Inside the room, Lin Ting and Zhang Xiao had reached an agreement.
Zhang Xiao wasted no more time. "Lin Ting, since you're so sure, please make sure you do it well."
"Don't worry, Sister Xiao. Please also move the order of the coats to the end. If you can extend the time of the earlier parts of the show, that's a little bit more time for us. I promise I will do my best."
Zhang Xiao stared blankly at Lin Ting. The confidence and determination in her eyes were undeniable, making one unconsciously believe in her. "Okay, I understand."
The frontcourt is ready.
A beam of white light shone on the center of the runway. Zhang Ying wore a silver sequined long dress with a strapless design that accentuated her shapely figure. Under the light, the sequins shimmered and sparkled, making her even more radiant.
Holding the microphone, he stood still and smiled.
"Distinguished guests, friends from the media, ladies and gentlemen, good evening! On this star-studded and fashionable evening, we are gathered here to celebrate the M brand's 20XXX Autumn/Winter Order Fair. On behalf of the M brand, I would like to extend my warmest welcome and sincerest gratitude to each and every one of you who have traveled from afar!"
The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.
"The concept for this winter's clothing collection is 'Future Retro,' where we blend technology with vintage style, and combine classic and avant-garde elements to cleverly weave together the threads of time, creating a visual feast that transcends time. This is not just a fashion show, but also a tribute to past classics and a foresight of future trends. This ordering event will be divided into three chapters, with a surprise at the end of each chapter. Stay tuned!"
"Fan friends who watch the live stream of this ordering event online, all styles in this fashion show will be available for pre-order. If you see a style you like, you can ask questions through online interaction and also experience the online virtual try-on module. Customer service will be online to help you place your order. We hope you have a pleasant shopping experience."
"M Brand firmly believes that fashion is not merely about piling up clothes, but also about conveying emotions, colliding cultures, and showcasing individuality. Here, every piece carries the designer's heart and soul, telling stories about fashion and beauty. Now, please turn your attention to this dazzling stage, and let us witness together how M Brand interprets a new look of contemporary fashion with a unique perspective, exquisite craftsmanship, and forward-looking design concepts. We believe that this launch will be a significant milestone in the fashion industry, leading us together towards a brighter future. Please enjoy this fashion feast and experience the unique charm of M Brand."
Thunderous applause erupted once again.
...
Suddenly all the lights went out, and a spotlight shone directly on the door behind the runway, drawing all eyes to the door.
A powerful, rhythmic background melody with clear drumbeats begins.
Soon, the first model, dressed in M brand's autumn/winter collection, walked out of the door with firm and confident steps, stepped over the stairs, walked onto the runway, circled around, and stood in the designated position.
Following that, the second and third models took the stage, each showcasing the diversity of clothing with their own unique style and temperament.
The music's rhythm changed with the models' steps, creating a sense of dynamism and rhythm. The lighting effects also constantly shifted, sometimes bright, sometimes soft, adding even more visual impact to the models' catwalk.
The first chapter of the series focuses on retro style, with the designer cleverly combining the intricate and luxurious Victorian era with modern minimalist lines. In terms of clothing, the exquisite and luxurious craftsmanship complements the minimalist tailoring techniques, as if it were a perfect dialogue between ancient craftsmanship and modern civilization.
In the audience, the guests were intently observing the details of each outfit, capturing the most exciting moments of the show. They either recorded the moment with their phones or quickly jotted down their feelings and comments in notebooks.
On the live streaming platform, the barrage of comments filled the screen like snowflakes fluttering in winter, lightly and densely covering the entire screen, basically divided into two factions: the fan party and the appearance-obsessed party.
Fans came for the new product, while those who appreciate good looks came for the overflowing hormones. Although their goals differed, they were surprisingly harmonious, without any arguments or fights.
Fans:
This style is different from the past; it looks a bit flashy, but it's not tacky at all.
Yes, although the style imitates the Victorian era, the elements are all Chinese style. The complex craftsmanship amplifies the characteristics of Chinese style, but in turn, it suppresses the ostentatious gaudiness and adds a classical and grand charm.
The comment above is really well written. M Group really gave us a big surprise this time. Before, my boyfriend and I had absolutely no desire to shop when we went to their stores. We felt like we were going to an old people's store. There was nothing new, nothing designed, and nothing special. It was truly a "three-nothing" store. But this time, I'm going to choose carefully so that my boyfriend can look handsome all winter.
Me too! I really liked the third hoodie that came out. I'm going to ask customer service if I can order a matching couple's set, hahaha.
Those who are obsessed with appearances are only focused on the model's face and figure.
The male model who just appeared has the looks of a total puppy.
Once he takes off his clothes, he's no longer a little puppy; he might be a big wolfhound.
Oh dear, what a pity! If it were a summer launch event, we could have seen a screen full of pecs, abs, and V-lines—it would have been bursting with hormones!
M Group really went all out this time; several of the male models are top-tier models.
No wonder the quality of the male models has improved so much this time. This is a great event for me, a true fan of good looks. M Group is awesome!
V5, V5, I'm giving it a huge shout-out!
The models for the first chapter had all taken to the runway. The high-energy background music softened, the ceiling lights dimmed, and once again only a single beam of light shone on the door. The audience eagerly awaited the surprise.
The door slowly opened, and a tall figure walked out. Although he was wearing a cotton-padded coat, he did not look bulky at all. Instead, he stood tall and straight like a bamboo, handsome yet refined.
As she walked onto the runway, her gait was composed and unhurried, revealing a calm and collected demeanor.
Before the audience could even see who it was, the live chat was already going crazy.
Ahhhhh, it's Chen Zhiyi!
M Group must have been struck by incredible fortune recently. First, they managed to get Chen Zhiyi to be their spokesperson, and then they convinced him to participate in a public event. The probability of them doing both of these things is even lower than if I won a million-dollar lottery.
This man's youthful charm is absolutely amazing; he's the most handsome male celebrity in the Chinese entertainment industry!
He's just a teenager. He's been in the industry for over four years and has already won the Grand Slam of Best Actor awards. He's only 25 years old when he returned. My God!
Amidst the gazes and murmurs of cheers, Chen Zhiyi walked to the small circle in the center of the runway. The small circle then slowly rose to become a small platform, and the entire runway began to rotate gracefully, making the clothes on the models a beautiful sight from every angle.
This ingenious design delighted the audience, who burst into applause.
The catwalk stopped rotating, the small circular platform descended, and the models left the stage in order, leaving only Chen Zhiyi on the stage.
Zhang Ying walked onto the stage, the two shook hands politely, and then she handed Chen Zhiyi a microphone.
"I'm so honored to finally meet you in person! I was unable to attend the previous photoshoot and anniversary ball due to other commitments. It's a great honor to finally meet you this time!"
Chen Zhiyi replied, "It's my honor as well."
A female franchisee in the audience shouted towards the catwalk, "So handsome!" which made everyone laugh.
Zhang Ying put her index finger to her lips and shushed him, saying, "This kind of handsomeness is best appreciated quietly."
It was clearly a gentle way of telling the audience that such an occasion was not suitable for unrestrained and loud noise.
Chen Zhiyi's lips curled up slightly, polite and reserved, yet concealing a barely perceptible sense of loss.
Having been in the entertainment industry for four years, he still isn't used to being the center of attention and spotlight, as if he needs to be thoroughly examined inside and out before he's satisfied.
"As everyone knows, Zhiyi is now the spokesperson for our M brand. It is truly a rare opportunity for her to take time out of her busy schedule to attend the winter order fair and walk the runway. I wonder what your thoughts are on this winter's designs?"
Chen Zhiyi pondered for a moment, "I think it's subversion?"
“Subversion?” Zhang Ying repeated it, surprised that he would use that word. “Why would you have such an idea?”
Chen Zhiyi glanced at the audience, picked up the microphone, and began to explain slowly and deliberately.
"Actually, the main reason I agreed to this endorsement collaboration is that M brand is a local menswear brand. In a market dominated by foreign brands, M brand has been able to stick to its original aspirations and continue to firmly walk on the path of menswear design, which is very rare and valuable."
"As a public figure, I feel obligated to support domestic brands, promote them, and endorse them so that more people can see the strengths of domestic brands and allow our local brands to flourish in the market. So, my initial willingness to cooperate stemmed more from a sense of responsibility."
But seeing the actual garments and wearing them today, I realized that the reason M brand has been able to dominate the menswear market since its inception lies in its excellence, its willingness to subvert and challenge tradition.
As a fellow man, I understand that most men prioritize functionality over aesthetics when buying clothes. Looks aren't important; comfort, ease of movement, and durability are paramount. Therefore, menswear design on the market is primarily focused on practicality, resulting in often simple and understated styles. However, "The First Chapter" adopts a retro-aristocratic theme, incorporating many Victorian-era elements and showcasing a wealth of intricate designs on its garments.
"For example, this white baseball jacket I'm wearing would be a very ordinary jacket if it weren't for the delicate embroidery on the sleeves. But it's precisely because of these two large areas of embroidery that this jacket has a surprising quality, without being tacky in the eyes of others."
"The styles and elements of the Victorian era, if placed in today's context, would be considered by most people to be too feminine and inappropriate for menswear. So, if a man on the street wears slightly more feminine and ornate clothing, it will attract controversy, with people wondering if he has psychological problems. But this is actually prejudice. The display by so many male models just now has broken this notion. True beauty has no boundaries."
Why were these luxurious designs accepted by the public in the 17th and 18th centuries, but not now? The so-called rules and the rules society imposes on us are absurd and should be overturned and broken.
Gender is fixed, clothing is fluid, but beauty is free. Therefore, menswear can be designed to be more feminine, and womenswear can be more masculine. There are no fixed boundaries; existence is its own justification, and beauty is its own justification.
After he finished speaking, the audience erupted in applause, and some fashion icons even stood up to applaud.
The barrage of comments sparked a frenzy.
Is this still the same Chen Zhiyi, the interview killer I know?
Did I take the wrong medicine today, or did the mute medicine stop working?
He's absolutely amazing! I'm starting to seriously doubt whether his aloofness in past interviews was an act. He's so eloquent!
It's true that one's values follow one's appearance; this man has both handsome features and sound values.
...
The applause from the audience lasted for a long time before it subsided. Zhang Ying looked at Chen Zhiyi with an incredulous expression. "It's no exaggeration to say that your answer made me forget what my question was. Seriously, I even checked my cue card just now. You answered so well."
Chen Zhiyi smiled faintly, "No, it was just a spontaneous remark."
"I think your fans are overthinking it. They know you're coming to the ordering event, and many people have left comments on our M Group's official media account saying to ask him fewer questions and to keep him quiet. They say he's such a handsome guy, but he just doesn't have a mouth and can't say anything nice. But this statement is absolutely brilliant. I'm sure it will be the number one trending topic later. Online netizens, when you help Zhiyi get on the trending topics, don't forget to include M Group in the hashtag. Thank you."
Instantly, the audience erupted in applause and laughter.
Chen Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief. He was genuinely expressing his feelings, but he didn't expect to say so much. He just wanted to buy some more time for Lin Ting.
Sure enough, people tend to talk a lot when they're in a hurry.
Soon, the second chapter's fashion show concluded, with Chen Zhiyi once again appearing last. Each garment in this chapter was imbued with a futuristic aesthetic. The clothing featured bold color clashes and exaggerated cuts, combined with a dynamic background created by LED screens, making the audience feel as if they were at a never-ending neon party. Futuristic accessories, such as transformable sunglasses and smart bracelets, added a touch of technological glamour to the overall look.
The third chapter on the runway was nearing its end. Models and designers were walking the runway together for their final bow. At the last moment, Lin Ting finished all the procedures, feeling utterly exhausted, and leaned against the wall.
Chen Zhiyi resisted the urge to hug her, stood opposite her, and lowered his voice, "Are you ready? This is the first time we've appeared together in public."
Lin Ting looked up and met his piercing gaze, then nodded slightly.
"Don't be nervous, your work is your greatest source of confidence."
Lin Ting smiled, her eyes shining with undisguised confidence, "Yes, I'm very confident."
The models and designers who had finished their curtain call had left the stage. The door opened, and Chen Zhiyi led Lin Ting out.
A commotion broke out in the audience as everyone kept their eyes on the catwalk and whispered among themselves.
I was struck by Chen Zhiyi's black coat. The large silver rose design at the waist and abdomen bloomed passionately and shimmered, like the brightest star under the dark curtain, captivating the eye. The tassels extending from the rose swayed from side to side with his steps, as if the rose itself was alive, hiding and appearing on the coat, sometimes visible, sometimes not.
What surprised him even more was the woman standing beside him. Her face was unfamiliar; even the people at M Group headquarters only vaguely recognized her but couldn't recall her name. Compared to the flamboyant beauty that is easily noticeable in the fashion world, this woman had a gentle and peaceful appearance, and a fresh and refined temperament, like the blank space in a traditional Chinese painting, making people want to look at her more.
The two walked to the center of the stage. Chen Zhiyi glanced at Zhang Ying, and Zhang Ying understood his intention. She stepped forward and handed Chen Zhiyi a microphone.
Before anyone could ask a question, he picked up the microphone and started speaking.
"The designer standing next to me is Lin Ting, the lead designer for the three outfits I'm wearing. The guests were very interested in and appreciated the clothes I wore during the first two appearances. It's a pity that she's still a design assistant and can't join me for the final bow, but talented people shouldn't be hidden behind the scenes; more people should get to know her. She has been working diligently at M Group for five years. In the past, she was someone whose face was familiar but whose name was hard to recall. But today, please remember not only her outstanding design skills, but also her name: Lin Ting, the 'Ting' in 'listening' (listening to something)."
After the introduction, the scene fell silent, and the audience's attention was focused on Lin Ting. At this moment, more than anything about her, the relationship between her and Chen Zhiyi was even more unfathomable.
Is it really worth a big star going to such lengths to help a mere assistant, ignoring the rumors?
Rumors are a fearsome thing, and Chen Zhiyi must know that, which makes things interesting.
Chen Zhiyi seemed to have guessed what everyone was thinking, and picked up the microphone again, "There's no need for you to overthink it. I've also experienced the time when I worked hard but no one cared. I understand how it feels, so I wanted to lend a hand to Designer Lin. However, whether she can be seen by more people in the end depends on herself."
After a pause, he continued, "Of course, I would have done the same to someone in the same situation."
His voice was clear, his words were concise, and his tone was official, without a trace of ambiguity.
So much so that even those in the audience who wanted to sneak a peek had to swallow their words.
Zhang Ying stood to the side, glancing back and forth at the two of them, secretly thinking to herself, "He truly deserves to be called a movie star."
To avoid further awkwardness, Zhang Ying changed the subject, "Lin Ting, I don't remember this coat having such a large rose embroidery? Was it altered at the last minute?"
Lin Ting did not deny it, "Yes."
Zhang Ying continued to ask, "What happened?"
Lin Ting was still hesitating about whether to tell the truth when Chen Zhiyi explained, "I'm sorry, it was a mistake on my team's part. We accidentally made a cut, but designer Lin came up with a brilliant idea and designed and embroidered this large rose pattern to perfectly cover it up."
In fact, Zhang Ying knew perfectly well that Zhang Xiao had told her the truth when he explained that the order of the show would be changed. She brought up this topic to let the audience know more about Lin Ting's strength.
Ultimately, she is also a person who can recognize talent.
However, unexpectedly, in order to absolve Lin Ting of responsibility, Chen Zhiyi took the blame for not properly safeguarding the sample garment.
This is fine; it covers up the internal discord within the M Group, but they can't escape the reckoning later.
A guest in the audience asked incredulously, "You did all of this by yourself?"
Lin Ting nodded. "Yes."
"It's incredible! You look so young, yet you possess such skillful embroidery techniques. It's truly remarkable."
"Thanks."
Another question: "Is it made with silver thread?"
"Yes."
"But this rose doesn't just seem to have a silvery sheen; it also seems to have other sheens like blue-purple and indigo. How did you handle that?"
Lin Ting traced the edge of the folded rose with her fingertips. "When I was outlining it, I added ice blue and indigo threads, which were twisted together with the silver threads."
"Twisted together? Then was the thread split into strands?"
"Yes."
How many strands are needed?
"0.2 splitting thread".
"You can split it so thin?" The guest couldn't believe his ears.
"Yes," Lin Ting replied frankly.
Another person asked, "Then why wasn't it included when embroidering the main body of the rose?"
Lin Ting explained, "It's rare to see such a large rose pattern embroidered on men's clothing, and such a large area of roses would look gaudy if they were all shiny. So when embroidering the main body, a single silver color was chosen. However, if it were all silver, it would look too monotonous and lifeless. Therefore, some cool-toned, shiny silk threads were added when outlining the pattern to add some color and brightness without overshadowing the main body."
"May I see the actual product?"
Chen Zhiyi immediately replied, "Of course." He quickly took off his coat and handed it to the other person.
The audience gathered together, admiring the embroidery. The stitches were delicate and even, and the style and colors were stunning, making it a work of art.
It's hard to believe that this was done by a young girl who looks to be under thirty. Many master embroiderers who have been doing this for decades may not be able to reach this level.
"President Xing, your company is full of hidden talents; this is truly a treasure."
"Yes, even the most experienced embroidery masters in our factory can't compare to her. The main reason is that she can embroider what she thinks without relying on patterns, which is extremely difficult."
"How come I've never seen her before, Mr. Xing? You've been hiding her well."
"This just proves that our company is full of talented people and has a bright future," Zhang Ying said with a laugh, brushing it off.
Sitting in the middle of the audience, President Xing finally spoke up: "Did you come up with the rose pattern yourself?"
"Yes."
"Yes, they are all my original works. I like original works and I insist on creating original works."
Mr. Xing was clearly incredulous. In an atmosphere of rapid response throughout the entire apparel market, everyone follows the trend and sells whatever sells well, making it very difficult to insist on creating original designs.
Chen Zhiyi defended her, saying, "I didn't know before, but the three outfits I showed were indeed original designs by designer Lin herself. When communicating with me about the details, she could clearly explain the design concept, and I could feel her passion for design."
Lin Ting, aware of the skepticism surrounding her insistence on originality, calmly explained, "I know that in today's fast-fashion market, it's incredibly difficult for a brand to consistently produce original designs. It's understandable that companies might sell trendy products to survive, but I believe the idea that design should be entirely market-driven is flawed. That's why there are so many clothing brands on the market, yet their styles are largely the same. Our winter collection aims to break this mold. All the designs are our own. We want to set an example for other brands, emphasizing that originality is the foundation for a brand's success in the market. Only then can we see the prosperity of the Chinese fashion industry in the future, and break the foreign monopoly on fashion. It won't just be 'Made in China,' but also 'Designed in China.'"
After he finished speaking, Mr. Xing was the first to stand up and applaud, followed by everyone in the audience. The enthusiastic applause lasted for a long time in the empty exhibition hall.
The LED screen was flooded with comments, with shouts of support for originality, Chinese design, and domestic brands echoing across the screen.
This is the courage to challenge authority and conquer the world.
Looking at the gratified smiles and the barrage of supportive comments, Lin Ting felt that what she had been persisting in had finally found meaning.
Her hand, hanging behind her back, was suddenly gently hooked three times with a finger. She understood; it meant three words: "You're great!"
Turning her head to meet Chen Zhiyi's gaze, without needing to express much emotion, a simple glance was enough to convey everything.
The grand winter ordering event concluded successfully.
Fearing criticism, Chen Zhiyi left first after the event.
Lin Ting carried the plastic box containing the sample garments to the car and bumped into Yao Yanyan in the corner.
A sarcastic tone immediately followed, "I never expected that the usually taciturn Designer Lin would be so eloquent. Why don't you report to the public relations department tomorrow? Otherwise, such good eloquence will be wasted."
Lin ignored her and continued walking with the box in her arms.
Yao Yanyan couldn't stand her behavior and grabbed the corner of the suitcase to stop her from leaving.
Lin Ting tried to pull the box into her arms to break free from Yao Yanyan's grasp. In the struggle, the box crashed heavily to the ground, the lid fell off, and some clothes fell out.
Lin silently folded the clothes and put them back in the box.
Seeing her calm, composed, and unflappable demeanor, Yao Yanyan was even more furious. "What are you pretending for? I hate people like you who act innocent and pure in front of others. There are plenty of people in the mainland who do all sorts of dirty things. You're really something, you even managed to get Chen Zhiyi to speak well of you."
Lin Ting curled her lips into a smile, clearly disdainful of Yao Yanyan who was blinded by jealousy, and said something that hit her nail on the head: "You're the one who ruined the coat, aren't you?"
Yao Yanyan trembled, her eyes filled with panic. Her throat tightened, and she stammered, "Don't make false accusations. Do you have any evidence?"
“I have no evidence, but anything that has been handled will leave a trace. If we really investigate seriously, we will definitely find evidence. I could tell from the disbelief on your face when you saw the rose pattern while you were adjusting Chen Zhiyi’s coat. And the knife is on you right now.”
Yao Yanyan squeezed the pocket; its shape was very similar to that of fruit, further confirming Lin Ting's idea.
"We are both highly educated people. We may not be the most noble, but we should at least have a sense of the bigger picture. If you have a problem with me, we can handle it privately. But to hold onto this conflict until today's important ordering meeting to retaliate against me makes me think you have no brains at all. Have you considered that if Chen Zhiyi's team thinks we deliberately damaged the coat and disrespected them, they might storm out of the venue or even terminate their endorsement contract? The company has put all its sales pressure on this this season, and your impulsive act has ruined it. Moreover, the main fabric and accessories for this coat have already been ordered. If it can't make it onto the runway, we'll face order cancellations, and these downstream factories will be dragged down by us."
"Yes, we're just employees, why should we always think about the company? But we both joined M Group right after graduation. Even if you've been in some remote mountain area all these years, you still remember to take a look before you leave, right? How much more so the company that taught and raised you. And you know better than anyone whether the company has treated you badly or not all these years, but today you almost caused it a major blow because of your own selfish desires."
“We are human beings. We have the most basic thoughts, consciousness and feelings. If we act on impulse, what is the difference between us and animals in cages?”
After saying that, Lin Ting picked up the box again, walked past Yao Yanyan, and went straight ahead.
He took a few steps and stopped without turning his head. "Don't worry, I won't reveal this. I don't want other departments to laugh at our design department."
"Do you think I'll thank you for this?" Yao Yanyan retorted, unconvinced.
“I don’t think so, but you wouldn’t do it either.”
Their conversation was overheard by Qin Fei, who was hiding behind a wall. She realized that a girl who could make enemies in both love and career had to be acknowledged for her excellence.
It is a formidable opponent.
But as the saying goes, a common enemy is a friend, Qin Fei smiled dismissively.
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