It had only been a week since Ella's delivery service launched, but the sight of her branded carriages rolling through town had already become a familiar one. She stood outside her shop, watching as another carriage was loaded up with boxes of her products. A steady flow of orders kept coming in, faster than she had even anticipated.
Ella smiled, a sense of accomplishment settling over her. Seeing the results of her hard work pay off like this was gratifying. Her innovations were spreading far beyond the village, reaching people she'd never even met. The delivery service, an idea she had hesitated over for a while, was now a clear success.
But her satisfaction was brief, as her mind naturally drifted to what could come next.
What's the next big thing? she thought to herself, her fingers lightly tapping against her chin as she scanned the bustling scene. It wasn't in her nature to rest on her laurels. Ella had always been the type to push forward, eager to find new ways to improve the world around her. She could feel it—an idea brewing, something fresh, something exciting.
Her gaze drifted over the crowd, noting the usual mix of plain and practical clothing on the commoners, contrasted by the exaggerated, broad-hipped dresses of the noblewomen. Her nose wrinkled slightly at the sight. As much as she had gotten used to living in this world, one thing had always irked her—the clothes. Whether noble or commoner, no one seemed to be spared from the unflattering styles.
Maybe it's time for a fashion revolution, Ella mused, her eyes narrowing in thought. The wheels in her mind were already turning, her next idea beginning to take shape.
With the success of her shop's other innovations fresh in her mind, Ella found herself hunched over her worktable, sketching ideas for something new—clothing. The thought had been brewing for a while, but now it felt like the perfect time to take it seriously. She knew the styles of the time were uncomfortable and, in her opinion, downright ugly. The noblewomen's broad-hipped dresses were impractical and exaggerated, while the commoners' clothes were plain and lacked any sense of grace.
Ella envisioned something different. She wanted to design dresses that felt modern without being scandalous—something that would appeal to noblewomen but also be practical enough for everyday life. With pencil in hand, she began sketching dresses that were simpler in silhouette. The bulky hips were gone, replaced by softer fabrics that flowed more naturally around the body. The designs had a refined elegance but allowed for movement, something she knew the women would appreciate, even if they didn't realize it yet.
Still, she was careful. The skirts remained long enough to avoid any backlash; she knew the noble circles weren't ready for anything too drastic. Yet the lines were cleaner, the cuts more flattering, and the overall feel much more comfortable.
Ella studied her sketches and smiled. It was a bold idea, but she had a feeling it was exactly what women needed, whether they were noble or commoner. Now, all she needed was a plan to introduce the new designs into society without creating too much of a stir—or rather, just the right amount of it.
Ella knew that if she wanted her new fashion line to take off, she had to be strategic about how to introduce it. She needed someone influential—someone whose presence alone would create a buzz. Seraphina immediately came to mind. Ever since their friendship had grown stronger, Ella trusted Seraphina's judgment, and Seraphina, in turn, had come to rely on Ella's advice.
One afternoon, as they sipped tea together in the sunny drawing room of Seraphina's estate, Ella broached the idea. "I've been working on something new," she said, her voice casual but laced with excitement. "A line of dresses. Something more comfortable, more elegant... less of the bulky, restrictive gowns that everyone's used to."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You mean something I can actually breathe in at these events?" There was a playful glint in her eyes, but Ella could sense the genuine interest.
"Exactly," Ella nodded, smiling. "I was hoping you'd be my model—wear one of the new designs to your next gathering. I'm sure the other women will be curious once they see how effortlessly chic you look."
Seraphina leaned back in her chair, considering. Over the past months, Ella's advice had never led her astray, and she trusted her taste completely. "Alright," she said finally, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Let's do it."
Ella wasted no time. Over the next few days, she worked tirelessly on designs tailored specifically for Seraphina. She carefully crafted each dress to enhance Seraphina's natural beauty and grace, focusing on simplicity and sophistication. The gowns were a stark contrast to the heavy, cumbersome fashions the other noblewomen favored. Instead of wide skirts and suffocating bodices, Ella's designs flowed elegantly, highlighting Seraphina's figure without overwhelming it. The fabrics were soft, the cuts modern yet modest enough to avoid scandal.
When Seraphina first tried on one of the dresses, Ella knew it was perfect. Seraphina stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the delicate fabric, her expression softening as she admired the way the dress moved with her. "It's... incredible," she said quietly, turning to Ella with genuine appreciation in her eyes.
Ella smiled, her heart swelling with satisfaction. "Just wait until the others see you in it."
When Seraphina arrived at the grand social gathering in her new attire, the reaction was swift and palpable. Heads turned, whispers spread like wildfire, and the usual hum of conversation shifted as eyes fixated on her. Unlike the stiff, voluminous gowns that filled the room, Seraphina moved with ease and elegance, her new dress flowing gracefully around her. The simplicity of the design made her stand out all the more—it was modern, understated, and yet undeniably striking.
Women in the room exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. "Is that Seraphina?" someone murmured, while another quietly noted how different she looked—freer, more relaxed, as if she wasn't confined by layers of heavy fabric like the rest of them. The contrast was undeniable.
As Seraphina glided through the room, noblewomen began to gravitate toward her, their questions veiled behind polite compliments. "What a beautiful gown, Lady Seraphina," one woman remarked, her tone a mix of admiration and envy. "It's unlike anything I've seen. Where did you get it?"
Seraphina, fully aware of Ella's plan, smiled with a hint of amusement. "It's a custom design," she replied casually, as if it were no big deal. "From Ella's Innovations."
The name sparked immediate interest. Ella had already earned a reputation for her inventive shop and home designs, but clothing was new territory. The mention of her name caused a ripple of murmurs among the women, many of them eyeing Seraphina's dress with newfound intrigue.
"Perhaps I'll pay her a visit," another woman said thoughtfully, glancing down at her own dress, suddenly feeling the weight of its outdated style.
Seraphina smiled inwardly, knowing she had played her part perfectly. Ella's plan was already working—Seraphina's effortless charm, combined with the unique design, was drawing exactly the kind of attention Ella had hoped for. As the night went on, more women approached, their curiosity thinly veiled, eager to learn more about this new fashion from Ella's shop.
As the buzz surrounding Seraphina's new wardrobe continued to spread, Ella began to realize the potential for something much bigger. The noblewomen weren't just curious—they were hungry for a change. The outdated, stiff gowns they wore were more of a burden than a statement, and Seraphina's effortless elegance had shown them what they'd been missing. Even commoners, who rarely had the luxury of fashion, were beginning to take notice.
Sensing an untapped market, Ella knew it was time to take action. Her shop had been a success with gadgets and practical innovations, but fashion? This was a whole new frontier. She decided to open the second floor of her shop, dedicating it exclusively to clothing. But it wouldn't be just any clothing—she envisioned a place where both noblewomen and commoners could come to feel stylish, comfortable, and confident.
The expansion of the shop would be no small feat. Ella sketched out the layout in her mind: a proper fitting area with full-length mirrors and individual changing rooms. It would be a novelty in this time, where most women were used to slipping into dresses in their own homes without ever seeing their reflection. The idea of a space where customers could actually try on clothes before buying them felt revolutionary.
To keep up with demand, Ella hired a team of skilled seamstresses. Together, they worked to bring her designs to life, creating a line of dresses that balanced modern appeal with the practicality needed in everyday life. She made sure to include subtle but flattering cuts, softer fabrics, and tasteful embellishments that weren't over the top. There were options for every occasion—elegant yet simple gowns for the noblewomen attending grand events, and more practical but stylish dresses for commoners who wanted to look good without compromising comfort.
Word spread fast, and soon her shop was buzzing with women eager to see what Ella would unveil next. As carriages rolled up to her storefront and women of all classes stepped through the door, Ella couldn't help but smile. She had opened a new chapter for her business, but more importantly, she had sparked something in the hearts of the women who walked through her doors.
Ella's new clothing line, which she branded as "practical luxury," was a fresh take on fashion—elegant but not over-the-top, stylish but focused on comfort. It wasn't about flaunting wealth or status, but about offering women something different: the freedom to move, to breathe, and to feel confident without sacrificing beauty. Word of the new line had spread quickly, thanks in no small part to Seraphina's quiet but impactful appearances at social gatherings in the dresses Ella had crafted for her.
Now, with the second floor of her shop transformed into a proper boutique, the grand opening was just days away. Ella walked through the space, her eyes moving over the racks of finely tailored dresses and the new fitting rooms that stood ready for customers. The soft gleam of full-length mirrors caught the afternoon light, making the space feel bright and airy, a far cry from the stuffy parlors where most women dressed. It was all coming together.
As she made her way to the window, watching her bustling delivery service outside, Ella allowed herself a moment of reflection. This wasn't just about selling dresses. It was about introducing a new mindset. In a world where women—especially noblewomen—were expected to dress in heavy, restrictive gowns, Ella was offering an alternative. Her designs were subtle, but they carried a message: women didn't have to choose between comfort and elegance. They could have both.
She smiled to herself, thinking about Seraphina. If someone like her, once weighed down by the pressures of nobility, could command attention in one of Ella's designs, then surely others would follow. But Ella wasn't naive. There would be resistance. She could already hear the whispers of some of the more conservative nobles, the same people who clung to outdated traditions and resisted any change. And then, of course, there was Seraphina's sister—always watching from the sidelines, resentful of her sibling's newfound confidence. She wouldn't make this easy.
Ella shook her head and laughed softly. She had faced tougher challenges before. She was shaking up more than just fashion—she was challenging societal norms. And she was ready for whatever pushback might come.
As she stood in the middle of the newly designed second floor, taking in the final preparations, a sense of excitement swelled in her chest. This was only the beginning. There was a whole world of possibility in front of her, and even though she knew not everyone would welcome the changes, Ella was confident in her vision. She was ready to take on the challenges that lay ahead, one dress at a time.
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I just want to say thank you to @Isbam_Abgon or the power stone, i really appreciate it.
one of the dresses i had in mind, feel free to add your own.