Chloe by Design: Measuring Up

by Margaret Gurevich

  I draw a very rough sketch of a strapless ice-blue gown. I also add a belt in a slightly darker shade of blue to create some contrast and define the waist. When I’m done sketching, I show my picture to Sophia, and she gasps.

  “Is that a good gasp?” I ask.

  “Definitely!” says Sophia. “I love this skirt. It looks like a ball gown.”

  “Yay! That’s what I was going for. Now for the top. What kind of neckline would you like? You can do a sweetheart. That would look pretty.” I make a slight alteration to the sketch to show her what I mean.

  “It would,” says Sophia, “but I’m not totally sold on strapless to be honest. I don’t want to be pulling my dress up all night. And is there any way to add lace?”

  I stifle a sigh. After all, the client is always right — at least that’s what they say. Instead, I focus on my sketch and add straps and a scoop neck, covering the bodice of the dress with lace.

  “Wait,” says Sophia. “Maybe not lace. Beading?”

  This time I can’t help it — a small sigh sneaks out. But I turn back to the page and add beading along the neckline. I use a colored pencil to add shades of gold and silver. It looks like a covering of snowflakes.

  “Oh, that’s pretty!” Sophia says, peering at the sketch. “But wait — maybe beading isn’t right. Maybe sequins?”

  I take a deep breath, and Alex types hard on her laptop.

  “Um, Alex, would you mind getting me a glass of water, please?” I’m afraid if she stays here longer she’ll snipe at Sophia for being so indecisive.

  “Gladly,” says Alex, looking relieved.

  “Sorry,” Sophia says to me when Alex is gone. “It’s like I see it in my head but can’t exactly explain it. Has that ever happened to you?”

  “All the time,” I say. I think for a few minutes, trying to mentally piece together all the different elements Sophia has mentioned. “Okay, I think you’ll like this.”

  I flip to a clean page in my sketchbook, and get to work. I keep the basic silhouette of the dress the same but add sleeves and a higher neckline, making them both sheer — I’ll have Mimi use illusion netting for that. I keep the fuller skirt, but change it to tulle. Then I add tons of crystal and floral appliques to the top and midsection, thinning them out near the bottom, turning the dress into a shimmery winter wonderland of a design.

  When I’m done, I show Sophia the sketch. Her eyes light up. “This is exactly what I was thinking. No, it’s much better than what I was thinking. Thank you!”

  I smile, relieved that I finally nailed it and have a happy client. “I’ll make a copy of this for Mimi. Here’s her number. Call her to arrange a fitting for your measurements.”

  “Thank you so much, Chloe,” Sophia says as Alex walks back in. “I’ll be sure to thank Nina for sending me to you.”

  “Don’t worry,” I say, smiling. I can’t wait to see the look on Nina’s face when I tell her how fun it was designing Sophia’s dress. “I’ll be sure to tell her myself.”

  The next day, as promised, I head over to Mimi’s Thrifty Threads to drop off the sketch for Sophia’s dress. Mimi’s store has the power to make everything better. It always has. It was my refuge even before my Design Diva days. There’s just something about it that feels warm and welcoming.

  I wave to Mimi as I walk in and busy myself by looking at the clothing on the racks while she helps the last customer of the day. Right away I spot several new designs, like a silk blouse with a suede collar. There’s another blouse with the materials in reverse — suede shirt and silk collar. After working on collars during my internship, I notice them a lot more than I used to.

  I’ve always admired the risks Mimi takes in her designs. She’s never been afraid to experiment with colors or patterns. She says it’s from her time working as a designer and seamstress in New York City. It made her open to a range of styles and people’s tastes. Today, for example, she’s wearing a bright orange blouse, black leggings with thigh-high boots, and a large belt with a gold clasp in the middle. She has her hair pulled back with an orange and gold scarf.

  I’m lost in thought, thinking about my internship, my portfolio, and the Winter Formal designs when Mimi walks over. “What did you bring me today?” she asks.

  “Another design for Winter Formal,” I say, handing over the copy of the sketch I made.

  “It’s very pretty,” says Mimi, looking it over. “What kind of fabric were you thinking?”

  “Probably tulle for the skirt, illusion netting to cover the bodice and sleeves, and then lots of beading. I really want the illusion netting to act as a base for the embellishments more than anything else.”

  “Got it,” Mimi says, making a few notes on the sketch. “So now that that’s done, what else is on your mind?”

  I laugh. “How do you know something is on my mind?”

  Mimi gives me a knowing look. “Darling, don’t be offended, but you’re not that hard to read. Especially when I know you so well.”

  I laugh. “I guess it saves me the trouble of figuring out how to bring stuff up.”

  Mimi goes behind the counter and plugs in her brewing machine. Then, she pours each of us a cup of tea. Mimi’s mug is shaped like a handbag, and mine is shaped like a high-heeled shoe.

  “Mmm,” I say. “Smells like vanilla.” I take a sip of the warm, comforting beverage. Mimi doesn’t push me to talk, which I appreciate. I take another swallow of tea. “The thing is,” I finally say, “I’m kind of freaking about the whole college application thing, but I’m not exactly sure why. I just can’t seem to stop procrastinating and get focused. So far I’ve only looked at the portfolio requirements for FIT.”

  “How were those?” Mimi asks.

  “Doable. I can use some of the designs I already have. And I’m planning to use Alex’s evolving style as another theme. They also want a wardrobe for a pop star, and I chose Lola James,” I say.

  “Well, it seems like you have that application under control then.”

  “I guess,” I say with a shrug, “but that’s just one school. I’m planning to apply to Parsons and FIDM too. Oh, I almost forgot — there’s an essay component too, which I hate.”

  Mimi waves her hand like she’s swatting away my last statement. “The essay is no big deal. That’s one thing that should be similar from school to school.”

  I put my chin in my hands. Mimi’s words should be reassuring, but they’re not. “What if the requirements for the other schools are too much? What if I won’t have time to do them?”

  “You won’t have time if you keep worrying about them instead of starting,” Mimi says. “You’re a capable young woman, Chloe, but you have a bad habit of psyching yourself out time and time again. The important thing is that you get going on your other portfolios. Just rip off the Band-Aid, and get to it.”

  I look down at my mug, studying it silently. I want to say it’s not possible — that I have too much going on and she wouldn’t understand — but this conversation is feeling familiar. I was in the same mindset before the Design Diva competition. I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to put anything together that I almost didn’t audition at all. Then too, Mimi’s tough love made me see I needed to stop worrying and just start.

  I’m still not ready, though, so I stall. “Then, there’s the whole airfare thing. How can I afford to visit both New York City and LA? I feel bad asking my parents to pay for plane tickets, especially since I was just in NYC all summer.”

  “Have you not been keeping up with the new season of Design Diva?” Mimi asks.

  I shrug. “Sort of. They’re just taping now. It hasn’t aired yet.”

  Mimi sighs. “Yes, and where is it taping?”

  Suddenly I understand what she’s getting at. Why didn’t I think of this before? “LA! Oh, I should email the producers or the judges and see if they’re planning to have me b
e a guest judge like last season. If they say yes, maybe I can combine that with a tour of FIDM while I’m there. I bet the show would fly me to LA.”

  Mimi claps her hands. “There you go! Good job being proactive.”

  “But what if they say no?”

  “Then they say no, and we think of a plan B. Stop thinking of things that can go wrong,” Mimi says firmly. “You’re not doing yourself any favors by thinking like that.”

  I finish my tea. I feel better and ready — or at least readier — to dive into the portfolio requirements for Parsons and FIDM. “Thanks, Mimi.”

  Mimi smiles at me. “You got it, kiddo. Remember, I’m always here for you. And a word of warning — don’t be overwhelmed when you see everything you need to do. It’s been a while since I applied, but I remember the requirements being fairly extensive. Just take a deep breath and start at the beginning. You can do it.”

  “Right. Band-Aid off and plunging in.” I give Mimi a hug and then rush out of her store, heading home before this new take-charge attitude wears off.

  “Mimi needs to start charging for her advice,” my mom says when I run into the kitchen, full of new energy, and explain where I’ve been.

  “We’d go broke,” I say with a laugh. “Speaking of, she helped me come up with a great idea for the FIDM tour. I’m going to email the producers and judges and ask if there are any plans for me to come be a guest judge on the show this season. They’re taping in LA, and —”

  “FIDM is in LA,” my mom finishes.

  “Right.”

  “That would be a big help, Chloe. A really big help.”

  The look of relief on Mom’s face makes me feel guilty. I’ve spent so much time obsessing over being overwhelmed that I haven’t given much thought to how much college visits and applications — not to mention tuition — are going to cost my parents.

  I give my mom a big hug and head to my room. I open my laptop and quickly type up an email to ask about the possibility of guest judging in LA. I re-read it a few times to make sure I’m not sounding too pushy. I don’t want them to think I’m asking for a free ticket — but I’m hoping it’ll work out. Fingers crossed.

  Next, I take a deep breath and go to the portfolio requirements on FIDM’s website. One of the tasks — to showcase five or six designs that highlight a personal style — is similar to FIT. It doesn’t say it has to be my personal style. This means I can use the sketches I’m doing to capture Alex’s evolving style.

  The other requirement is different: Pick a season, and create a fashion line for that time of year. You must create six to eight designs, ranging from everyday looks to eveningwear, that showcase your theme. Be creative.

  I read the instructions three times, trying to understand what they want. It kind of makes sense, but what season? The everyday looks to eveningwear line sparks something in my memory. The outfit I designed for the Teen Design Diva finale — the dress that won me my internship — could be worn in the daytime and in the evening. It had a removable collar and peplum. Maybe that wouldn’t quite work here, but I could play around with convertible tops or change a look by adding small details, like accessories or a dressy skirt.

  I open to a clean page in my sketchpad and write FIDM at the top, but then pause. What season should I tackle? I’m a California girl at heart, so summer makes the most sense. I doodle shorts and halter-tops on the edges of my paper as I think. Then, I play with the halter-top design by changing the thickness of the straps. I change the sketch more by adding a collar and making the top tighter and then blousy.

  Hmm… halters can easily be played down or up. I look at my drawings and have a light-bulb moment — bathing suits! Those scream summer and there are so many possibilities. I could do fancy halter-tops, mismatched separates, or a cute, retro one-piece.

  I do a few quick sketches so I don’t forget my ideas and then plunge into the Parsons site while I’m on a roll. I’m all in now and don’t want to give myself a chance to back out again.

  The portfolio requirements seem pretty similar at first glance. Another essay: Where do you see yourself after college? That’s actually kind of easy. I see myself with my own Chloe Montgomery label — a big C and M intertwined within a circle. As a parting gift when my internship ended, Stefan replaced his initials with mine on the back pocket of a pair of jeans. It was the best gift ever and made me feel like having my initials on my own designs would be truly possible one day.

  Okay, one last piece to look at. Parsons’s main portfolio task is to create a line of clothing with one theme in mind. Wow! I couldn’t have dreamed for a better project. This is exactly what I’m doing with the Winter Formal dresses I’m designing. They even have two themes — formalwear and winter-inspired!

  I’m feeling so on top of things I can’t resist sharing. I text Jake: Got the requirements for all three schools down. I’m all in now!

  Jake texts back almost immediately. There’s no messing with you! New York better watch out.

  I smile and type, New York, huh? Not LA?

  This time it takes a few seconds for his message to come through. He sends a picture of a smiley face that’s blushing, along with this text: Well… yeah. LA too. But you know what I’m hoping for… miss you and hope to see you soon!

  I blush and reply that I miss him too, all the while hoping the see you soon part of his text is sooner rather than later.

  “You did all this yesterday?” Alex looks impressed the next afternoon when she arrives at my house, and I show her my sketchpad, as well as printouts of the portfolio requirements for Parsons and FIT.

  “Yep. Jumping in. I emailed the Design Diva judges and producers too. I’m hoping I can combine a guest-judging opportunity with a visit to FIDM. Mimi gave me the idea.”

  “That’s really great,” says Alex. “I’m proud of you. Kick-butt Chloe, taking charge!”

  “Thanks,” I say. “Now, back to work. Who’s our appointment today?”

  Alex glances at her watch and pulls up her spreadsheet. “Tess Peltzer is next on our list. She should be here any minute.”

  I groan. “She’s kind of high maintenance. I mean, the stuff she wears to school is what I’d wear to, I don’t know, a red carpet event? Can you imagine what she’s going to want for a formal dress?”

  “Girls, Tess is here,” my mom says just then, peeking into my room.

  “Hey, ladies,” Tess says, pushing open my bedroom door. She’s wearing a row of bangle bracelets that go midway up her arm, lace-up metallic gold sandals, black silk shorts, and a cream top.

  Alex raises her eyebrows. She and I are both in frayed denim shorts.

  “Hi, Tess,” I say. “Have a —”

  “Here’s what I’m thinking,” Tess interrupts before I can even invite her to sit down. “Valentino meets flea market.”

  I stare at her. Those two things are about as opposite as they get. I open my mouth to tell her that’s not exactly feasible, but something tells me she won’t want to hear that.

  “Let’s see your vision,” I say instead. I was able to think of something for Sophia. I can do it again.

  Tess thrusts a page from a magazine into my hands. “Something like this?” she says.

  I study the image. The dress pictured is beautiful, but its elaborate embroidery and feathered skirt would fit in better at the Oscars than at Winter Formal. There’s no way Mimi will have time to sew something like this. I study the picture to try and figure out how to tone it down so it looks like something someone in high school would wear.

  “I brought this photo too,” Tess says, handing me another magazine page. “It’s different than what I usually wear, but it looks fun.”

  “Oooh!” I say. “I can definitely work with this one. I love the color.” Tess’s new design is more doable. The lace gives it a romantic feel, and it’s more budget friendly.

  Tess looks
longingly at the first picture she gave me. “I think you’re right,” she finally says. “The second one probably makes more sense. I’ve been saving up my babysitting money, but it’s not enough for the feathered gown.”

  “Sorry,” I say.

  “It’s fine. I know a lot of people are doing winter-themed dresses, but I want to stand out. I want something bold. Maybe red.”

  “Red,” I repeat. “That will definitely stand out.”

  Tess looks pleased. “Definitely. Think of it as fire and ice. Most of the other girls will be ice, but I’ll be unique as fire.”

  “Unique it is,” I say. The goal is for the customer to be happy. And it will look pretty amazing in my portfolio. I imagine a sea of dresses in shades of blue, with the red in the middle. Scrawled across the top will be the words Fire and Ice. Fire will be in red and will look like it’s ablaze, and Ice will be in cool blue with icicles hanging from the letters. What a great name for a fashion line!

  The next day at school, I’m floating on cloud nine. I’m sitting at lunch, and Mia, Jada, and Alex are all talking about how excited everyone is about my dress designs. I’m wearing a pink eyelet dress, which matches my happy, slightly blushing face.

  “Don’t be embarrassed, Chloe,” says Mia, noticing my pink cheeks. “Enjoy the praise.”

  “I am enjoying it,” I say. “But I’ll never get used to being the center of attention.”

  “We’ll stop complimenting you,” Alex teases.

  “Nah, I can handle it. Keep going,” I say, making everyone laugh. Just then, my phone pings. It’s an email from Jasmine, one of the Design Diva judges. My heart beats quickly as I open it.

  Dear Chloe,

  I just talked to the producers about your email and wanted to reach out. I’m so glad you wrote! Someone from the show was going to contact you, but you beat us to it. We’d love to have you come and be a guest judge. The producers are still finalizing details, but I think they’re looking at Monday, a week from today. I know that’s short notice, but they’ll book a flight to LA, car to and from the airport, and hotel for both you and your mom as soon as you confirm.