“Wow, you’re a real Cashin expert,” said Ariel.
Rhiannon nodded. “I really admire her work.”
Next, Rhiannon took them to the Fashion Institute of Technology. “This is where I want to go to college,” she told them. “It’s pretty expensive, but Mrs. Carter is helping me to apply for scholarships and work-study programs.” She crossed her fingers hopefully. “I know the odds are against me, but I’m praying for a miracle.”
Before they knew it, it was noon. Kriti informed them there was no way they’d have time to visit her dad’s company, have lunch, and make it to Dylan’s by one. “But we can go tomorrow,” she reassured them. “He’s not as busy on Saturdays, and he can give us the full tour as well as shopping privileges.”
Rhiannon paused by the fashion institute’s museum entrance and sighed sadly. “There’s not enough time to see this today either. But anyone who wants to join me tomorrow is welcome.”
So it was agreed, they would spend the early part of the day exploring Kriti’s father’s company, the fashion museum, and the other “must-see” places, according to Rhiannon.
“And then it’s practice for the fashion show,” Ariel reminded them as she held up her schedule. “From two until five.”
“And we’ll all have Sunday off to do as we please,” said DJ.
“I plan to play the tourist. I want to go to the Statue of Liberty and the top of the Empire State Building and all sorts of goofy things. Anyone else?” She didn’t mention that the last time she’d done these things had been with her mother — shortly after her parents’ divorce and a couple of years before her mother died.
“I’m in,” said Casey. “It’s my first time in the Big Apple, and I’m willing to act like a tourist. I’ll even ride in one of those silly double-decker buses if we can sit on top and wave at people.”
Taylor laughed. “Okay, I’ll come along too — as long as you promise we can go to the Museum of Modern Art.”
“And Times Square,” added Casey.
“You two sound like real tourists to me,” teased DJ. “Anyone else want to come along and act like freaks?”
“Count me out,” said Rhiannon. “I’m going to soak up every bit of the Garment District that I can. I want to eat, drink, and roll around in design, design, design.”
“I’m with you,” said Haley.
Ariel nodded. “Do you mind if I tag along?”
“Me too?” asked Kriti hopefully.
“Sounds like our weekend is all mapped out,” said Rhiannon.
DJ hoped that Eliza and Daisy wouldn’t feel left out. Maybe they’d want to join Rhiannon and the others in the Garment District tour. She felt fairly certain that Eliza wouldn’t want to lower herself to playing tourist and riding around on a double-decker bus. And that was just fine with DJ.
They had a quick lunch at a Chinese restaurant that Kriti recommended. After that they hurried over to Dylan’s design studio, arriving there a few minutes early, which made Rhiannon happy because she got to get a sneak peek at some of the inner workings. And then Dylan rounded them all up into the conference room to explain what exactly he expected from his models.
“As you know, I’m the new kid on the block,” he told them. “Kind of like you girls. So naturally, I’m jazzed and nervous.” He laughed. “I’m actually rather giddy.”
“You will do just fine,” Grandmother reassured him.
“I cannot tell you how much it means to have Katherine Carter in my court,” he said to all of them. “It is huge.” He turned to her. “Thank you so much for taking me under your wing.”
She smiled happily. “It’s an honor.”
“I thank you for bringing me such a stunning lineup of young women,” he said happily. “I cannot wait to see you girls wearing my designs.” He waved his hand to some of the sketches on the walls. “This gives you a little sneak preview, but the designs have changed considerably since these were done. You will see that later. First, I want you to meet a friend of mine.” He nodded to a pretty young woman who was sitting off to one side of the room. “This is Ramona Winters. She’s an actor, currently starring in an Off-Broadway show.” He winked at her. “Although the word on the street is that it may not be Off Broadway for long.”
She smiled. “I hope you’re right.”
“Anyway, I invited Ramona here to help coach you girls in regard to attitude.” He pointed to Grandmother. “As Katherine can attest, attitude in fashion is everything.”
“That’s right.” Grandmother nodded.
“So, if you’ll excuse me. I’ll leave you to Ramona for an hour. Then you will join me in the fitting room . . . and the real fun will begin.”
“Okay,” Ramona said after Dylan left. “In one word, the look Dylan wants is fresh. But not smiley fresh. And we don’t want the old model pout either. We’re tired of that bored but irritated look. We want our models to have expressions that are pleasant without being overly happy. We want eyes that are clear, but not too bright. And we want a comfortable sort of confidence. Not arrogance, mind you. We don’t want our models to look cocky, but we do want them to be assured. And you need to look like you’re having fun, but not too much fun.” She laughed. “Does that make any sense?”
There were a few questions, and for the next hour Ramona practiced expressions with the girls. Then before they ended, she called Taylor to the front of the room. “I want Taylor to strike some poses . . . since she really seems to grasp what we’re going for here. Do you mind, Taylor?”
Taylor shrugged. “Not at all.”
“See,” said Ramona as Taylor did some poses. “Her features are relaxed yet pleasant. And she looks completely comfortable, but not haughty.” Ramona glanced at Eliza now. “That haughty expression might work for some designers, but it’s not what Dylan is after.” She clapped her hands. “We’re out of time. It’s on with the show and off to your fittings!”
“Who would’ve guessed that Taylor would be teacher’s pet,” Eliza said snidely as they headed out of the conference room.
“Is somebody jealous?” teased Casey.
“Hardly.” Eliza flipped hair over her shoulder and laughed as she linked arms with Daisy. “I just think it’s funny that Taylor has gone from bad girl to Little Miss Perfect. Amazing how a little time in rehab changes a person.”
“Get over yourself,” Casey hissed at her. Fortunately, Taylor said nothing. But DJ could see the fire in her eyes. She hoped Taylor wouldn’t fall for Eliza’s bait. The last thing Dylan needed for his big debut was a catfight!
17
FORTUNATELY, THE ONLY FUR THAT FLEW at Friday’s first fitting was faux. Eliza actually minded her manners. DJ had noticed her grandmother taking Eliza aside. Apparently, she’d overheard Eliza slamming Taylor. After that, Eliza was fairly quiet and, although she was still in a snit, she wasn’t taking it out on anyone. This was a relief, since it was clear that Taylor was getting the bulk of attention from Dylan — plus she was getting the best outfits, not to mention compliments.
“Now, if you’ll just move to the city and model exclusively for me . . .” he told Taylor as she did a turn so he could admire his workmanship.
“Maybe someday,” she said with a coy expression.
“Just don’t forget who helped you get your start in the fashion world,” he teased.
Dylan also seemed to take a real shine to Daisy. “I think this one’s got a future in fashion too,” he told Grandmother as he made some final adjustments to the short plaid skirt she was trying on with a pair of tall boots. “Her legs just go on and on forever.”
DJ was thankful to get through the fitting without making any serious blunders. Despite the way Haley and Ariel seemed to look up to her, DJ felt she was the least of the nine models. And she also felt she was the most likely to mess up the show. Well, other than the possibility that Eliza might attempt to wreak some kind of revenge against Taylor.
Later that evening, Grandmother treated the girls to a Broadway musical.
She apologized that the only show she was able to get ten tickets for was Grease, but everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Even Eliza, who had initially complained that it would be “lame,” seemed to have liked it just fine. DJ had even caught her laughing and smiling a time or two.
On Saturday morning, Eliza was irked to discover that everyone except for her and Daisy had made plans to continue their Garment District tour.
“You guys can come along too,” offered Rhiannon. “Just keep in mind it’s a lot of walking.”
“And knockoff shopping,” added Casey. Then she turned to Kriti. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that in a bad way.”
“Reproductions, knockoffs, whatever you want to call them.” Kriti smiled. “But keep in mind that what my father does is legal. He’s careful not to copy anything that’s licensed. My uncle is an attorney.”
“Well, thanks but no thanks. Trekking around Manhattan in ugly shoes and shopping for counterfeits is not very enticing.” Eliza turned to Daisy, who seemed to be thinking otherwise. “There are still a lot of shops we haven’t seen yet.”
Daisy nodded, but she looked a little disappointed. “See you guys later,” she called as Eliza tugged her away.
“Poor Daisy,” said Casey. “Maybe we should rescue her.”
“Or do an intervention,” said Kriti. They all laughed.
“Except that if we rescued Daisy, Eliza would have to come with us too,” DJ pointed out.
“That’s right,” said Casey. “No one’s allowed to be alone in the city. Although I’m pretty sure Miss Eliza Wilton can take care of herself.”
“Pity the mugger that tries to steal her new Marc Jacobs bag from her,” said DJ.
“She’d kick where it counts with her new Prada boots,” added Casey.
“Oh, you guys!” Rhiannon shook her head. “Now, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover before our dress rehearsal. Let’s get moving!”
And they did cover a lot of ground and, despite comfortable shoes, some of the girls were starting to complain.
“Last stop is my dad’s company,” Kriti told them. “And he’s got a comfortable sales room where he entertains his buyers. You can put your feet up if you like.”
“We’ll call ahead for a taxi to take us back to Dylan’s,” offered DJ.
Kriti’s dad was very gracious. He treated them like they were important buyers. He showed them his latest pieces and then allowed Kriti to take them through the factory. At the end, he gave them a discount on purchasing the reproduction bags of their choice — at his cost!
“Wow,” said Ariel as they waited for the taxi. “I can’t believe I have a real Versace bag.”
“It’s not real,” DJ reminded her.
“But it looks real. I’ll bet no one will know, and I’m not telling.”
“Let’s all make a pact,” said Haley eagerly. “We won’t tell anyone that these are knockoffs.”
“Except my mother,” said Ariel. “She’d wonder where I got five grand to lay down for a purse like this.”
“It’s useless to make a pact anyway,” DJ said. “Eliza will know.”
“And Eliza will tell,” added Casey.
“Oh, yeah . . .” Ariel nodded. “What’s up with her anyway? I used to think she was kind of nice, but she’s been a real witch on this trip.”
“Didn’t you hear that Harry broke up with her?” asked Haley.
“Yeah, but why is she taking it out on us?”
“She’s taking it out on Taylor,” Casey corrected her.
“That’s right,” said Taylor. “She thinks I stole her man.”
“Did you?” asked Ariel.
“No, I did not. But I’m starting to have second thoughts.”
Then the taxi arrived. At first the driver started to complain about seven girls piling into his car.
“Don’t worry,” Taylor told him as she slid into the front seat next to him. “We tip well.”
He laughed. “And you’re not too hard on the eyes either.”
Taylor told him where to take them. “And step on it,” she said, “Please.”
He did step on it, so much so that DJ, crammed in the center of the backseat, started to feel carsick. But they made it to the studio a couple of minutes before two. Taylor paid and tipped the driver. Then they went inside to discover that, once again, they’d beaten Eliza and Daisy. But Grandmother was there.
“Just on time.” She sounded relieved as she looked over the girls. “But there are only seven of you. Where are the others?
Daisy and Eliza?”
“We went our separate ways today,” DJ explained. “They went shopping.”
“Well, the limos are waiting,” said Grandmother. “And Dylan and Ramona are all ready to head over to Bryant Park. We have the use of the catwalk only between three and five, although Dylan thought if we got there early we might be able to squeeze in some extra time. Why don’t some of you ride with them?” She looked over the group. “Taylor, Desiree, Casey, Rhiannon, you four go with Dylan. We’ll wait for Daisy and Eliza. Tell Dylan we’ll be along presently.”
The first limo arrived at Bryant Park, but the other one didn’t seem to be following, and it was already 2:30. The catwalk was free, so naturally, Dylan was pushing to “get the show on the road.” DJ called her grandmother to check on the others.
“Those silly girls didn’t make it back here,” growled Grandmother. “I just called Eliza, and she’s still waiting for a taxi in who knows where. I told her to go directly to Bryant Park — and if a taxi doesn’t get there in five minutes, I told her to walk. Shoes or no shoes! The other girls and I are on our way to Bryant Park now, but traffic is horrible. Tell Dylan we’ll catch up with him as soon as we can. In the meantime, you go ahead and get started.”
DJ relayed this information, and Dylan and Ramona began putting the four girls through their paces, practicing on the catwalk, which wasn’t all that different than the one Grandmother had gotten for them at home. But they were still wearing their street clothes when Grandmother and the other girls arrived.
“Still no sign of Daisy or Eliza?” Grandmother asked DJ. “I was hoping they’d beat us here.”
“We haven’t seen them.” DJ forced a smile. “Don’t worry, Grandmother, I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”
Grandmother shook her head in dismay. “I’m very surprised and disappointed in Eliza. I thought she had better manners than this.”
DJ just shrugged. But it was her turn to do the walk again.
Think fresh, relaxed, confident, having fun, but not too much fun, she kept telling herself as she walked. Shoulders back, head up, legs moving in a straight line. It was a lot to remember, but the more she did it, the easier it became.
“Lost?” DJ heard her grandmother shouting. “How can you possibly be lost? You’re only a few blocks away from here. No, it’s on Sixth Avenue. You need to go east , Eliza.” She paused. “How should I possibly know whether it’s right or left. Good grief!” Grandmother held her phone out to one of Dylan’s design assistants. “Please, help this poor witless child find her way over here.”
The assistant chuckled as she took the phone and attempted to explain directions.
“They’re trying to talk Eliza and Daisy in,” explained DJ as she rejoined the other girls. “And my grandmother sounds ticked.”
They continued practicing their runs on the catwalk. Between the advice from Grandmother, Dylan, and Ramona, DJ suddenly felt like she got it. Like it was starting to make sense.
“That’s beautiful,” called out Dylan as DJ made her final walk back. “Spot on, Desiree!” DJ gave him a slight nod and then told herself to think of this simply as an athletic event. Just like in swimming, volleyball, basketball, or soccer, she knew how to tell her body to do certain things in certain ways, to practice them enough, and just like in sports training, she eventually was able to just do it.
“Okay, let’s head for the dressing room now,” called out Dylan’s number-one design assistant, a short brun
ette named Camilla.
“What about the other girls?” complained Dylan. “Shouldn’t we — ”
“We can’t keep waiting on them,” said Camilla sharply. She looked at her watch. “We’re already running late now. We’re supposed to vacate by five, and the Maurice Bernard people are scheduled for six. We gotta keep it moving, Dylan.”
And so they did keep it moving. It wasn’t until the girls were into their second outfits that Eliza and Daisy finally showed up. Burdened down with shopping bags and complaining about their aching feet — no wonder since they both insisted on wearing their ridiculously uncomfortable designer shoes — the two girls both acted put out for their inconveniences.
“Get undressed,” Camilla commanded.
“I can’t believe we had to walk here!” Eliza tossed down her bags and kicked off her new red Manolo Blahnik shoes like they were trash — the same costly shoes she’d been bragging about at dinner last night.
“Well, I can’t believe it took us an hour to go a few blocks!” exclaimed Daisy as she peeled off her skirt. “Those were looong blocks!”
“I can’t believe you girls are this late,” said Camilla as she and the other wardrobe assistants worked to get Daisy and Eliza dressed.
“It’s not our fault this stupid town doesn’t have enough taxis,” snapped Eliza.
“You should have planned better,” Camilla snapped back at her. “We’re supposed to be out of here by five, and we’ll need to move fast if we want to get through a complete dress rehearsal now. You girls are wearing your third outfits now.
Everybody move fast!”
Although they moved as fast as they could, they were barely able to squeeze in one complete run through with three sets of wardrobe changes. By the time the lights and music went down, the Maurice Bernard people were already showing up — and complaining that Dylan’s group was stealing their time.
“We’re out of here,” Camilla snarled back at one of their design assistants. “Models, you go ahead and wear those outfits back to the studio. We’ll do our final adjustments and change there!” She shouted out orders to the rest of the crew, and poor Dylan hovered in a corner, looking like he was about to fall apart.
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