It was a lovely Wednesday. The D-day of the much anticipated ROMANO spring fashion show was here!
The show was held at the Strawberry Towers in Milan. Guests had began settling into the building four hours before the show started.
Many media houses and news correspondents were waiting outside, taking reports of what was going on before the event started.
All the staffs walked briskly, some running left and right to get things done as soon as possible.
Scarlett was overseeing the makeup artists, checking that each of the dresses was well arranged and in place.
There was a lot of chattering and buzzing going on backstage, from the models talking about how excited they were, to the makeup artists and hairstylists designating different makeup styles and hair to each model.
Besides the frantic staff running helter-skelter, the runway set was a sight to behold.
Huge balls of green and mint grasses with different shades of clear crystals attached to them, hung from the ceiling.
Clear, dazzling chains of diamond and golden lights dropped around the grasses, creating a peaceful, serene scene of the roof.
Different flowers in different colors and sizes hung around the roof, extending to the walls in an artistic pattern.
Huge golden butterflies danced around the center of the hall, with dazzling stars to complete the amazing sight.
The walls looked like a haven of grace on a stormy day. It bore the bold words 'INNOCENCE' and 'GLORY' on each side of the wall respectively.
The words were crafted out of something that looked like glass, with an illusion of water flowing inside it.
The floors were as clear as day. It was crystal blue for now, but it would have the color of the show as it progressed.
All the white seats, adorned with flowers, were arranged in a curvy pattern, allowing room for everyone present have a clear view of the runway.
The wow factor of the show, a gloriously shiny staircase on both the left and right side of the runway, for the models to showcase their outfits at the end of the show, made sure to bring down the jaws of the audience as they walked in.
It was definitely going to be a mind blowing show!!
"Come on everyone! We only have 10 minutes left. The hall is almost full.
Hurry up with whatever you're doing. We don't have all the time in the world."
Scarlett clapped and urged everyone to make haste with their duties.
"Miss Scarlett! Miss Scarlett!" A breathless Orla called for Scarlett.
"Breathe Orla. What's wrong?" Scarlett patiently asked.
"The model who was supposed to wear the signature piece suddenly fainted due to dehydration. She's being rushed to the hospital as we speak."
"There's no other model to fill in the gap, what do we do?" Orla panicked. She knew how much hard work everyone had put together to ensure the success of this event.
This catastrophe just had to happen, today of all days!
"It's all right. Let me take a look at the gown, and see what we can do about it." Scarlett went to the dress room to take a look at the dress, with Orla leading the way.
She had anticipated this kind of incident. Either a model didn't come, she fainted or an unfortunate staff would ruin her dress.…..she expected the good, the bad and the ugly.
Scarlett took a long look at the dress, viewing it from every angle.
"I guess I have to do it myself. I would go out together with the girl who is to go before the fainted model."
"Let's get this show started." She said with a big smile on her face, that had a hidden meaning to it.
Vera mounted the runway to give an opening speech. She was dressed in a lavender trumpet dress, just like Scarlett ordered all the other staff be dressed in.
She wanted them to portray the theme of the show very boldly and clearly.
"Welcome all." Vera began.
"Thank you all for taking out your time to attend this show.
CALISTA, the theme of this event, is more like a lady's life and love story. Emerging from innocence into glory.
A life that affects millions of lives for eternity. Please enjoy and be inspired!" She bowed slightly and walked off the runway.
The audience clapped softly, eager to see what ROMANO had in store for their eyes.
As the first model walked out, the lights switched into the theme color.
Gold, purple and green lights shone in the background, with blush pink lights as the main anchor.
The audience wowed at the first designs. Diamonds were a core integration of ROMANO, so it was no surprise to see diamond chains hanging around the dresses.
It truly looked angelic as they planned it to be.
Scarlett watched what was going on through the backstage TV, as she was getting her hair and makeup done.
All staff present gathered around Scarlett, as they knew even though she smiled throughout they were going to face punishment when the show was over.
Was it their fault the model fainted? No. But it was their oversight not to have a substitute model for the job.
The resources had been provided for them to do so, but they didn't do it. There was so much work to be done, how could they have remembered such a tiny detail?
Now their President's most precious Granddaughter had to assume the role of a dehydrated model.
The reactions on the audience's faces showed that they were truly impressed with the show and the dresses.
"Orla, is it time yet?" Scarlett quietly asked her assistant. "Almost time." Orla replied.
Scarlett's hair and makeup was already done. The staffs unconsciously drooled when they saw the lady standing before them.
She looked glamorous…so perfect. Maybe she was the one the universe wanted to grace the signature piece.
The model who was meant to go before Scarlett was ready and also quite nervous.
She had never met her before and she had heard so many scary stories of Scarlett being unapproachable and condescending.
"Relax, I may be strict, but I don't bite." Scarlett said to the young model who jumped when she held her hand.
"I'm sorry about that. I didn't expect you to….."
"Hold your hand?" Scarlett asked, cutting her off. The young girl nodded.
"I know what you might have heard about me. I don't care if you believe them or not. Don't be deceived by my smile now, I'm pissed off already."
She turned to look the girl in the eyes. "Do your job and don't mess this up."
The model swallowed hard, wondering what her offence was.
The lights went off. One bright spotlight turned on.
It shone on the young model coming out with Scarlett.
Another spotlight turned on. It shone on Scarlett.
The audience was stunned. They had never seen a model look this graceful before.
Scarlett's dress looked exactly like her grandmother's wedding dress, only with a modern twist. Her hair was styled into a half up half down, with a curled strand dropping down her face.
It was pure white. Beautiful golden gems were attached to the bodice of the bustier corset gown.
A lovely golden strap went round her waist to form a bow with a long train behind. The voluminous silhouette helped accentuate her body shape, revealing the gown's beauty.
A certain man in the crowd chuckled. He had expected this to happen.
Scarlett walked forward slowly, holding the model closely by the hands. Only the subtle music and the constant camera clicks could be heard in the hall.
Once Scarlett got to the middle of the runway, she stopped. All the other models came out and arranged themselves on the staircase.
The audience rose to their feet and applauded heavily. It was indeed a spectacular show!
A microphone was handed to Scarlett as she wanted to give her comment.
"Good evening everyone. Thank you for coming to yet another splendid show.
I am Scarlett Chevalier. Creative Director, ROMANO.
This spring's theme was inspired by my grandmother, Calista.
She was a huge source of inspiration to her husband, my grandfather, and the president of this establishment, Russell Romano.
She was light and fresh vibrant energy to all who came around her, even till she passed.
The designs all worn by our lovely models, showcase the stages of my grandmother's life. Her stage of innocence, to finding her purpose in life and love, to rooting herself as a powerful woman in society, and passing into glory.
May her soul rest in divine peace." Scarlett blessed
Thank you to my dutiful chief designer, Vera and intellectual design team.
Thank you to everyone involved in this show.
My special gratitude goes out to renowned Architect, Walter Maynard.
Thank you for your dedication and hard work to the design of this set." She bowed towards the backstage, as Walter was watching from inside.
"I sincerely hope this tribute to my lovely grandmother stays alive in your hearts and bring bliss to your welcoming wardrobes." She smiled and bowed.
The audience clapped once again in awe of Scarlett's heartfelt speech. It was the finishing touch to the whole show.
Tracy and Rowan were present.
They felt proud of Scarlett for bringing glory to ROMANO and not letting them down.