Main Story Ch. 2-03 - The Time in Between (时间针脚) | Light and Night 光与夜之恋
You: ... Sariel is calling me?
Although I'm shrouded with confusion, but I still moved myself over.
Sariel: Newbie?
You: Yeah.
Sariel: Tell me what you think of this design.
You: ?
While I am still confused, Sariel handed a design draft to me.
It's a yellowing draft paper, looking rather aged, and there's a some light brown stain at its corner. I looked at the dress drafted in the middle, the delicately touched shoulder line, the rapidly tightened waist, the large pleated over-the-knee dress with thick material... A classical dress design, looking quite like the style of the fashion master Joseph Clinton.
But Sariel probably didn't want me to solely comment something simple like the design style.
[Choice: How should I answer him?]
Light: Praise the pros of the design.
Night: Point out the cons of the design.
[Light: Praise the pros of the design]
You: I think this design looks... very brave.
Sariel suddenly glanced at me, his sharp glance made me a little nervous.
You: This draft itself looks pretty aged. I can see the cone shape from the bias cut* from it, and this technique originated from early years of the past century. So I'm speculating that this draft came from the war era. The economy depression and the lack of supplies have directly affected the design world. Women were stripped off from dresses, and changed into simple yet concise uniforms and loosely-fitted pants, every design has headed towards practicability. However, from this draft, no matter if it's to show the curves of the women bodies from its cutting, or the gorgeous design of petticoat, or even the material used for the pleats, all of them are a form of resistance towards the design trend of the era. The designer wished to free the people through fashion in order to restructure people's pursuit towards beauty.
[Night: Point out the cons of the design]
You: From the draft I can see the cone shape from the bias cut*. This technique originated from early years of the past century, so I'm speculating that this draft came from the war era. Due to the limitations of the era, the seams of the dress and pleating was not advanced enough, and there are still rooms of improvement. The structure of the petticoat's lining is overly complex, so it is not very wearer-friendly. However, it is a design that could break the simple and concise stereotypes from the era, and places a focus on practicability, allowing women to break free from the clothes and uniforms that are loosely-fitted, restructuring people's pursuit towards beauty. This design spirit is very much worthy of a praise.
*T/N: Bias cut means to 'be cut on the grain'. Rather than following the straight line of the weave, the bias cut places the pattern at a 45° angle on the woven fabric, hence popular for accentuating body-lines.
After saying what I've thought, I quietly waited for Sariel's response.
Sariel: Alright, put it down.
You: Oh...
Sariel: This design draft that you are all looking at, is the works of Joseph Clinton's before the release of "Amber" series.
You: !
It's really the works of Mr. Clinton! A small commotion started in the meeting room, all designers quickly gathered around to observe the draft.
Designer A: No wonder this looks so familiar... It is indeed in the same line as his elegant style.
Designer B: "Amber" series? Isn't this Clinton's work of legend?
Designer C: It's not just his legendary piece, it even leaded the fashion trend all over the world, even leaving deep influences until now.
Sariel: In the special ages that advocates simplicity, he drew this design draft, making his boss so angry that he smashed a wine bottle. Decallan 1928. Clinton has treasured the wine for years, but did not even taste a single sip of it in the end.
Sariel looked at the smudge of brown tint on the draft, his gaze looks a little blurry, speaking in a lightly mocking tone as if he's telling a good friend's moment of embarrassment. But Mr. Clinton has passed away for many years, that even his autobiography did not mention about this, so how did Sariel know about this?
Sariel paused, and picked the design draft up again.
Sariel: He was fired, this design that did not match the era almost ended his career path. However after years later, he established a fashion workshop with the funding from a rich businessman. Basing from this very draft, he designed the "Amber" series.
He took out another design draft from a folder, just like the previous draft, it's yellowing, but it's the witness of the precious draft of the era.
Sariel: On year 1947, Joseph Clinton published the "Amber" series. Whether it was the usage of arced, narrow shoulder or bud-shaped long dress that used double-dense weaved cotton, they have helped the people to retaliate against the society full of of malaise and distress after the war. The reason why fashion design makes people respect them, is because it has represented the free-will and non-conformance to compromise. The eternal proposition of design itself is the people's pursuit of beauty and themselves.
Sariel: Sadly, from the works you have submitted, I did not see these qualities at all. If the next submission is still like this next time, this will be the last design that you'll complete in Warson. This is not a charity organization after all.
Calm, rational, highly professional, and not allowing a single bit of resistance. Everyone here immediately turned pale, as if the indoor temperature has dropped to the freezing point. I looked up nervously, but only to meet with the gaze from Sariel, and I could see the faint smile that has yet to disappear from his eyes. The lights in his light-colored pupils are flowing as they shine, like a transparent bright amber, about to seal all the faint smiles into it. Is this an affirmation towards my answer earlier?
I stunned, and blinked in uncertainty, but in the next moment, he turned back to the cold person, as if what has happened was merely an illusion of mine.
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