Chapter 117: The Design Competition

After the theme was announced, one hundred designers were assigned to their respective studios.

There were exactly one hundred studios here.

They were distributed to the participating designers by random draw.

Jiang Ciyou was assigned to Studio No. 9.

Jiang Xiaoxiao was assigned to Studio No. 38.

Their studios were quite far apart.

Over the next 48 hours, the designers were to create design sketches based on the theme of “Time” and also produce their finished pieces.

Of course, the organizers would provide every possible form of assistance to the designers.

Any materials they required, no matter how expensive or rare, would be supplied by the organizers.

As long as the design was creative enough, the organizers would spare no expense.

Each studio was assigned an assistant by the organizers.

The assistants were generally design students who provided support but did not participate in the creative process.

Before beginning their designs, each designer first met their model.

Since the final creation would be showcased by the model, the designer needed to tailor the piece to fit the model’s physique.

Top-tier designers would also take into account the model’s body shape and skin tone in their designs.

Jiang Ciyou’s model was a tall Black woman, over 1.8 meters in height, with excellent proportions.

After taking the measurements, Jiang Ciyou began immersing herself in her design.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Jiang Xiaoxiao almost laughed out loud upon hearing the theme.

The theme “Time” was far too simple for her.

Or rather, the theme was already contained within a certain design portfolio she possessed.

Jiang Xiaoxiao had a design portfolio.

She found it by chance after returning to the Jiang family home, buried among a pile of old books in the family study.

The portfolio contained many hand-drawn designs.

They were exquisitely crafted and most importantly, wildly imaginative.

Each design represented a particular theme.

Yet, because they were so fantastical, many of the designs were exaggerated and suited only for competitions, not the commercial market.

Previously, she had adapted several designs from the portfolio for her company.

Both Jiang Jinhui and Yao Shulan praised her talent after seeing them.

It was by continuously copying and modifying this portfolio that she had firmly established her position in the design department of Qingben Jiaren.

Now, with this theme, she didn’t need to make any adjustments at all.

She remembered the portfolio had a theme called “Time.”

The design in the portfolio was a dress that embodied the concept of the four seasons.

It featured embroidered blossoms representing spring, summer, autumn, and winter—peach blossoms, cherry blossoms, begonia flowers, and winter plum—on different parts of the skirt.

Then, with exquisite arrangement, all the flowers were embedded across the garment.

Jiang Xiaoxiao was incredibly excited.

Relying on the memory in her mind, she sketched the design onto paper effortlessly.

Even the assistant beside her was stunned.

Looking at the flowing design, the assistant sincerely praised, “Miss Jiang, you truly are a genius.”

Jiang Xiaoxiao beamed with pride.

Of course, she wasn’t afraid of being caught plagiarizing.

She had thoroughly searched the entire internet.

None of the designs in that portfolio had ever appeared online.

Logically, if even one of such high-level designs had leaked or been entered into a competition, it would have caused a sensation in this circle.

But in all these years, nothing had surfaced.

Moreover, she had already adapted several designs and turned them into marketable fashion for Qingben Jiaren.

Although modified, it was obvious many designs were inspired by that portfolio.

If the original owner of the portfolio were still alive, they would surely have filed a complaint against Qingben Jiaren.

Yet, over so many years, all remained quiet.

There was only one possibility: either the portfolio’s creator was no longer alive.

Jiang Xiaoxiao’s speculation was not unfounded.

The portfolio was very vintage—it could well be the manuscripts of a brilliant designer from decades ago.

At that time, such bold and innovative designs were not accepted by the world.

Thus, the portfolio became a lost gem of the past.

By some twist of fate, it had ended up in her hands.

Jiang Xiaoxiao felt fortunate to have this portfolio.

With it in hand, she was unafraid of any high-end design competition.

This was also why she had confidently registered for the contest without hesitation.

Fortune even smiled upon her with the theme matching one in the portfolio exactly.

Perhaps this time, she could truly claim the grand prize.

When that happened, she would surely trample Jiang Ciyou underfoot.

The 48 hours finally passed.

Almost all of the one hundred designers had completed their creations.

Next came another round of drawing lots, determining the order in which the models would showcase their pieces.

This time, Jiang Xiaoxiao drew No. 2, while Jiang Ciyou drew No. 22.

Before the exhibition, everyone brought their works backstage.

Their exclusive models were already waiting there.

At this moment, all the designers gathered together.

Everyone finally saw each other’s creations.

Jiang Xiaoxiao’s work caused quite a stir backstage as soon as it appeared.

These were all designers; their level could be discerned at a glance.

This newcomer named Jiang Xiaoxiao, appearing for the first time in this competition, had created a masterpiece.

Just one look at her design left people breathless.

The lines, the color matching, and the various ingenious details were all perfectly executed.

Designers gathered around, eyes wide with admiration.

Many did not hesitate to praise her.

Jiang Xiaoxiao was extremely proud—her moment in the spotlight had finally arrived.

She deliberately left the crowd and strode toward Jiang Ciyou’s area.

She suddenly noticed a large group surrounding Jiang Ciyou as well.

People there seemed equally astonished.

Jiang Xiaoxiao had thought her work would easily overshadow Jiang Ciyou’s.

But when she saw Jiang Ciyou’s creation, she was dumbfounded.

Jiang Ciyou’s piece was a floor-length gown.

The striking feature was that the entire surface was covered with a fine layer of sand grains from top to bottom.

Embedded within the fine sand were countless tiny crystals.

Visually, every angle sparkled brilliantly.

The skirt featured triangular shapes reminiscent of an hourglass.

The front hem barely reached mid-thigh.

But the train extended long and wide, flowing like desert sands.

The dazzling light and flowing colors of the hem resembled cascading sand.

From any viewpoint, it looked like a true work of art.

Jiang Xiaoxiao couldn’t even fathom how Jiang Ciyou had crafted this gown.

How could ordinary, fine sand be transformed into such a breathtaking sand-grain dress?

A sense of crisis welled inside Jiang Xiaoxiao.

Yet she still put on a disdainful expression and muttered, “Just showmanship!”

Then she returned to her seat.

The showcase was about to begin.

This event was broadcast live worldwide.

The Paris Fashion Competition was regarded as the Oscars of the fashion world.

Its renown was immense.

Before the competition even started, tens of millions had already flooded into the global livestream.

Chat messages in various languages scrolled rapidly.

Besides the livestream, many distinguished guests were invited to attend the show.

These VIPs were usually the highest echelon of global luxury clientele.

At this moment, a young, clean-faced individual sat in the best seat in the front row.

Flipping through the list of designers, a small smile curved their lips upon seeing Jiang Ciyou’s name, revealing a delicate dimple.