Chapter 389 A Graceful Acknowledgement of Defeat
Abella's gaze was fixed upon the girl on stage, her expression tranquil as she posed a question. "Are you uncertain about where you faltered?"
Isabella responded with an unwavering confidence, "Yes." Her thoughts were filled with the injustice of the situation.
'Her styling today was impeccable. It was clear to anyone that it was destined for widespread popularity. A score of six felt like a mockery.'
Meanwhile, backstage, Abigail was nervously watching the live stream, her fists clenched tight. 'Could I have inadvertently caused trouble for Abella?' she pondered.
The upheaval of the major competition had her concerned about the potential backlash for Abella's role as a judge. The guilt was gnawing at her from the inside.
"Her dress embodied a radiant elegance, and it beautifully displayed the allure of her nation's traditional colors. Yours, however, fell short," Abella stated.
Frustration etched on her features, Isabella bit her lip. "What exactly is lacking in mine?" Her thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. 'Today, I incorporated elements of national culture and the most avant-garde concepts into my design. Isn't that far superior to Abigail's antiquated flapper dress?'
Abella's response was clear and concise. "The styles Abigail creates, whether worn by her or a middle-aged woman, uphold traditional elegance while radiating a modern chicness.
In other words, her designs are versatile. They flatter anyone.""No way," Isabella retorted.She had only just seen the dress in question. It seemed to demand a perfect figure. 'If a middle-aged woman were to wear it, it would be a fashion disaster!' she thought."
Abigail just has a knack for aesthetics. A middle-aged woman in one of her dresses wouldn't score so high.""Really?"
Abella challenged. "Why not have a woman from the audience try on Abigail's dress and another wear your design?"
"Fine!" Isabella, confident in her work, selected two women in their forties and sent them backstage to change.The room was filled with murmurs.
Some criticized Isabella for her audacity, challenging the judges at such an event, particularly during the first round.
Didn't she fear retaliation?Others argued that if QY truly favored certain contestants, it would be unjust to the others.
A few whispers circulated about possible insider dealings, with the American judges favoring their own.
Soon, the two women returned, now dressed in the competing designs.Isabella, in her bid to win, had intentionally chosen two Caucasian women.
However, to her surprise, the first woman, Grace, radiated sensuality and elegance in Abigail's dress. Despite her figure showing signs of age, the dress skillfully concealed her belly, lending her an air of regal charm.In stark contrast, Julia wore a supposedly trendy denim outfit that, regrettably, looked dull rather than fashionable.The audience burst into thunderous applause.
The difference was evident at a glance.Everyone knew which designer held the advantage.
Yet, Isabella remained unsatisfied. "Isn't it enough that my designs appeal to a specific audience? Why must they please everyone?"
"You asked why Abigail scored three points higher than you," Abella reminded her, her gaze unwavering.
"Because her design is superior, her cultural foundation is deeper. Your work, despite being modern, tries to incorporate too many elements, and frankly, some are superfluous."
Isabella's defiance was palpable. "And what would be considered non-superfluous in your eyes, QY? How does one earn your nine-point acclaim?"
Her audacious outburst had everyone on tenterhooks.Isabella was bold, excessively proud, and showed no respect for the judges.The tension was palpable as everyone wondered if Abella could handle the situation gracefully.
Even the event organizers were closely monitoring her every move, ready to intervene at a moment's notice.The crew was on high alert, fingers hovering over the controls, prepared to mute Isabella's microphone if necessary.
Steven was on the cusp of uttering a word when Abella interjected.
"Seeing as you're so keen to learn," she voiced, "I may as well provide you with a live demonstration. Shed your garments and bring them to me, if you will."
Murmurs of confusion rippled through the crowd, their eyes darting between one another as they tried to decipher Abella's intentions.
Despite her tender years, Abella carried an air of authority that was palpable as she confidently ascended the stage.Isabella felt a fleeting pang of apprehension, her heart fluttering with the fear that Abella might lash out at her right there in the spotlight.Prior to stepping into the limelight, Abella had requested a pair of scissors and other implements to be brought to her.
Without missing a beat, she began to publicly dissect Isabella's meticulously crafted denim ensemble.The audience was rendered speechless. 'What on Earth is she attempting?' their expressions seemed to ask.Even Isabella was taken aback.
'Is Abella truly modifying my masterpiece? My design was a reflection of the latest trends and appeared flawless. What enhancements could she possibly bring to it?'
Yet, within a mere three minutes, Abella unveiled the reimagined design to the host.The host promptly arranged for the previous model, Julia, to model the updated outfit.
Cameras zoomed in to capture her as she paraded Abella's handiwork.The denim outfit Julia now donned radiated an entirely different aura.
The dull ensemble she had sported moments ago was no more. Instead, she embodied a cool allure tinged with a hint of distant dominance.
"If the outfit incorporated light blue and brown plaid, it would be even more eye-catching—not to mention, your choice of fabric was misguided," Abella critiqued.All eyes were riveted on Julia's attire.The top boasted a structured design adorned with white eyelets, striking a balance between simplicity and elegance.
The rolled sleeves lent a casual flair, and coupled with wide-legged trousers and heels, the whole ensemble oozed sophistication.
"Set aside national motifs for a moment. If you topped it with a beret, the look would be breathtaking."The outfit exuded an urban chic that would seamlessly blend into the fashion-forward streets of a city like Paris.
Applause erupted once more, and Isabella finally grasped her shortcomings.'Abella wasn't exacting personal vengeance. I was merely projecting my petty assumptions onto her. My design indeed had significant room for enhancement.'Isabella, who had previously been brimming with confidence in her work, finally recognized her flaws and accepted her defeat with grace.
"As for this dress designed by Abigail, I would give it a nine out of ten. The missing element can be rectified just like this..." Abella dove straight into action, swiftly transforming the already stunning dress into something even more spectacular.The audience was flabbergasted.
Who would have thought a dress could undergo such a transformation!Backstage, Abigail watched this spectacle unfold with a mixture of surprise and exhilaration.
The missing element, that final touch, was finally unveiled.Abella certainly had the knack for leaving people awestruck.Her judgments were devoid of any bias, stemming purely from a professional standpoint.The applause was relentless as Abella descended from the stage, making her way back to her seat.
A glint of admiration and acknowledgment shone in everyone's eyes as they watched her return.
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