The next day was the real competition.
By mid-morning, the massive hall Prestige Fashion Cup was already alive with light, movement, and the nervous hum of creativity waiting to burst free. Rows of cameras rolled into place, screens lit up for the live broadcast, and the crowd's low murmur promised the excitement to come.
The judges were seated at the long, elegant table in the front row — their expressions sharp and watchful. The designers, each in their designated workspace, tried to hide their nerves behind polite smiles.
"Hello everyone!" The coordinator's bright voice echoed through the speakers. He stood at the center stage, beaming. "Today is the day we have all been waiting for. On behalf of our sponsors and organizers, I welcome all designers and judges to this year's Prestige Fashion Cup Challenge. The world is watching — literally."
The audience cheered as a giant screen behind him flashed images of live viewers tuning in from around the globe: living rooms, cafés, and even an office where a group of coworkers were gathered around a single laptop.
"Now," the coordinator continued, "let me explain the rules and the order of the competition. All designers have their own workrooms, stocked with the tools they need. You will have one hour to sketch your design and six hours to bring it to life. After that, your models will present your work on the runway, in numerical order. Remember — the designer's identity will remain secret until their model steps on stage. Only the number will be called."
The crowd clapped in anticipation. The coordinator smiled. "Designers, listen for your numbers. Dina Thomas, number one. Jake Marinda, number two…" The list went on until every contestant had their slot.
"And finally," he concluded, "this year's winner will be decided by both our judges and audience votes. So, designers, impress the world."
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Sketching phase
The clock began. Pencils scratched across sketchbooks as designers bent over their work, eyes burning with focus. Cameramen moved silently between tables, occasionally zooming in on a daring neckline here, a bold color palette there — just enough for the audience to gasp and murmur.
"Wow!" someone in the front row whispered as a sweeping, feathered sleeve appeared on one page. Another camera caught the glint of metallic gold ink tracing along the waistline of a different design.
Leah worked quietly, her fingers steady. Her gown was emerging stroke by stroke: a deep, forest-green base that flowed like liquid silk, paired with an off-shoulder white panel draped gracefully across the arms. A daring right-knee slit promised elegance without losing modesty. Along the bodice, she sketched vibrant peony flowers — pink, gold, and soft lavender — blooming downward in a cascade toward the waist. The skirt was a pale blush satin, plain to the eye but deliberately so, to balance the riot of colors above.
It was a design meant to breathe class, power, and artistry all at once.
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Fabric Selection
When the sketching hour ended, the announcement rang out: "Time for fabric selection! You have ten minutes!"
The room erupted into motion. Contestants raced to the central fabric tables, the camera following every frantic grab. Hands collided over prized materials. Somewhere toLeah's left, Emily Gray — last year's PFC competition winner — smirked as she slid a bolt of green silk out from under another designer's reach. She had her small circle of friends flanking her, subtly blocking others from reaching the best fabrics.
WhenLeah reached for the exact shade of blush satin she needed, she found an empty space. Looking up, she caught Emily's triumphant glance — the fabric was draped over her arm.
Leah's heart tightened. But just behind a stack of lace, she spotted an alternative: a slightly softer blush satin, almost pearlescent. Different… but perhaps even better. She grabbed it and moved on, refusing to give Emily the satisfaction of seeing her rattled.
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Creation Phase
Six hours. The workroom roared with the sound of sewing machines, the snip of scissors, the rustle of fabric. The judges strolled in pairs, peering over shoulders, murmuring notes.
Emily, with her trio of friends, laughed too loudly, her confidence filling the space. Occasionally, she and her group "accidentally" knocked into others' work tables, forcing them to pause and re-pin.
Leah kept her focus, blocking them out. Stitch by stitch, her gown came together: the deep green skirt, the smooth off-shoulder white, the intricate embroidery of peonies cascading down the bodice. She lost herself in the precision, the beauty of her own vision.
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Runway Show
When time was called, the work stopped. Models filed in, changing into the freshly made gowns. Backstage, makeup artists and hairstylists worked at lightning speed.
The runway lights dimmed, and the first model stepped out — Dina Thomas's creation — a sharp, angular red dress that drew appreciative murmurs. Number two followed, and then number three.
Finally, it was number seven's turn.Leah model emerged from the shadows, the gown catching the light like a living jewel. The deep green shimmered with each step, the off-shoulder white gleamed under the spotlights, and the peonies seemed almost alive in their embroidery.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. The judges leaned forward.
The live broadcast comment section exploded:
"That green! That slit! Gorgeous!"
"Winner for sure!"
"The floral detailing is insane!"
Even viewers halfway across the world typed in frenzied approval.
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Voting & Announcement
One by one, all models walked. When the final number exited, the host stepped forward. "Audience, the voting lines are open! Judges, please submit your scores."
Minutes passed, the tension growing. Emily crossed her arms, her confident smirk still in place — but less certain than before.
"And the winner of this year's Prestige Fashion Cup Challenge is…" The host paused, milking the moment. "…Number seven!"
The audience roared. Leah name was finally announced, her model spinning in the spotlight. For a heartbeat, the sabotage, the pressure, the exhaustion — all of it faded. All that remained was the glory of victory.