Niameck Fashion Show 2018 (OPEN)

[Norgeras]

Neu Uburzis City, Several Weeks Ago:

Princess Adelheid had planned the Event for one and a half years now. Initially her plan was just showcasing Local Manufacturing due to the Lack of international Compliance to Uburzian Standards. But after working Briefly together with Lady Stasia, her perspective had changed.

If she wanted to be known as the Fashion Icon in Neu Uburzis, than she had to bring haute couture into the Empire.

She gave Lady Stasya a pass to invite up to Three Designers, but made clear she had capacities for more of desired.

Nemerie had gotten themselves two reserved Slots, though she wasn't sure if they'd even show up.

Though with Potentially four Runways and 5 Hours Time she had estimated if they took it slowly she had a capacity of 20 Designers. If there were less she would simply be able to close one or two Halls down, and make it look like she never had planned for more.

It was an overkill on Capacity, but she had to rent the whole Exhibition Center anyway.


She Prepared a Memo for all Designers and Companies Interested, ensuring they get that Uburzis was special in their desires:

- No Synthetic Fabrics, Plastics and similar non Recyclable Materials.
- real Fur is allowed and welcome, if the Animal grew up Organic
- All Components must have been produced following environmental Safety Guidelines, or be Organic
- Don't bring walking Stick figures, bring Men and Women


Adelheid also added a Timetable, Ensuring Designers could apply for a Favorite Timeslot:

	Center Stage	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4
15:30-16:00	Opening Ceremony
16:20-16:40
17:20-17:40
18:20-18:40
19:20-19:40
20:20-20:40
After 21:00	After Show Party

Spoiler: show

[Libby]

OOC - Not sure the style you want but pencil in for a prime time slot

 Stagiya - Stasya Pelagiya's debut collection

Then wherever fits, Milana Vasylyshyn who runs Milana Fashion House and Vasilisa Vasilev who owns the Double V brand.

[Achkaerin]

OOC -

Company Name: Black Rose
Collection Name: Midnight Collection

I haven't yet got the designer end of it figured.

[Norgeras]

The VIPs where transferred across the Niam River via Small Red Boats, arriving at a Posh Pier to Stride over the Red Carpet from the Exhibition Halls across the Promenade. The frenzy of flashing Lights from the Paparazzi's Camera Equipment illuminated the grey November Sky almost as bright as the flood Lamps directed towards the Buildings Banner decorated Walls.
The Path led the elusive Guests to a Torch lit section, past a waiting Horde of young Onlookers that didn’t get any cards for the Main event, now waiting for several huge Screens to Stream the event while snatching a Glimpse of the High Society. The steps of a half round Pavilion, supported by columns as high as the Event Halls themselves, where to be ascended to gain entrance of the Main building. A Single Reporter and her Crew from the Gossip Daily had gained the exclusive Right to Interview right at this Spot.



A short moment later the Main hall had been filled with Visitors to the Brim, some pressing themselves against the barricade surrounding a pool of water which the main Stage had been set into. The important Guests were treated to their own Lounge with Bar, a separated Interview room and of course, a splendid view of the Start up show about to happen directly in front of them.

(Open and play before you read on

Spoiler: show

)

The Volume was turned up and Music played, a set of twenty four female Dancers loped onto the stage, dressed in Velvet Red Tailcoats, alongside fitting red Chapeau Claque they unfolded on route. An electric Swing piece started the Dance Choreographie, the Ladies dancing a wide swing, before halfway into the song a Group of rather young Male Dancers equal in numbers to the women came to Stage, dressed in Fishnet and Black Bunny Costumes alongside the according white Tuft and Ears. While some gasped in the Audience the younger female visitors giggled. The male dancers got swirled around several times during the rest of the song, before all forty eight Dancers left the Stage.

The Light dimmed, the Spots turned towards the Stage Entrance. Adelheid appeared with an almost unbelievable wide, red crinoline, engulfing  the Stage whole, accompanied by a train of Cloth so far Spread it was hanging into the Water basin. The Silver seamed Corset ended in a Collar building a Silver Spiked Halo behind her, all while wearing Pinned Up Hair with  pristine White Orchids.

As she started walking along the Catwalk, Adelheid dropped the Train into the Basin below, where it set Ablaze, illuminating the surroundings in warm flickers, while she kept striding on.
Some steps further Rose Pedals started snowing down from the Ceiling, all while the Imperial Princess started gently rocking her attire, while unbinding her Corset. Three steps further she had in fluid motion peeled herself out of the Metal frame carrying the previous attire. Now Wearing an equally Velvet Red Pants Suit with gold seams and an Imperial huge Lace collar, she was handed a Top hat and an elegant walking cane, while throwing off the Wig she had been wearing with the Orchids to the crew, turning around one last time to face the waiting crowd:

“Welcome!” she bellowed to the masses:

“Welcome friends of Art and Beauty!

Today we celebrate that Fashion and Sustainability, Nature and Elegance are not Contrary!
Life, Party, and Regale in all of the Best Mundus has to offer today!”

	Center Stage	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4
15:30-16:00	Opening Ceremony
16:20-16:40		Vasilisa Vasilev - Double V		Beauharnais
17:20-17:40			Stasya Pelagiya - Stagia		Henriette Herrlich - Toga Today
18:20-18:40	Break Show
19:20-19:40		Milana Fashion House		Black Rose - Midnight Fashion
20:20-20:40			Adelheid's - Adel verpflichtet		Chambour
After 21:00	After Show Party

Adelheid waved up to a Timetable for the Show to be revealed, while the Companies had known beforehand when and where they were getting their Shows, Adelheid had ensured it wouldn’t leak so many guests had arrived way before their favorite act would show. It ensured the halls where full to the Brim early on.

That and that she had ensured enough Free Tickets had been handed out to Schools to get the Bandwagon started, and artificially increase the Demand.

She slowly walked down to the VIP Lounge, her head spinning. She Picked up a Bluetooth Headset already getting new intel:

“Yes, order the Serviceman right now. We can’t afford a stall to fall flat to serve food, the Kitchens are already on a Strain. The show needs to seem effortless and without a hitch. No matter what goes wrong, make sure the guests don’t notice.”

She picked up a Glass of Champagne from the Bar, they had twenty Minutes free before the First shows started. While unconventional, the Vips had a Way through the Underground Service Tunnel to Reach their own Backstage Areas without much Delay, while Adelheid seemed to have snapped into business mode from the Easy flow she had showed on Stage.

[DaveIronside]

Erin Osman may have been often in her sister Matilda's shadow of late but that didn't stop her finding her own publicity, not always positive but as the old saying went there was no such thing as bad publicity and that had seen her become something of a major force in East Moreland's social media circles and that opened doors to events such as this. It also helped that her family were one of the richest in East Moreland. She had brought with her April Tucker. The pair had become friends when Erin had been the star of her own reality TV show and April had been a researcher on the show. She had a definite advantage in the media world as her father was the rather infamous Malcolm Tucker, the Royal Press Secretary famed for putting the fear into journalists across the nation. April had however taken a different path than reality TV or politics and found herself now attached to the EMTV Sports Team and was a key member of the news team there even recently beginning to appear on screen.

The pair had settled down to watch the opening moments, making sure they'd got the front row of the VIP area they'd hoped Matilda would have come with them but she was busy playing Mummy to Rhiannon. The pair headed back to the bar area, helped themselves to a few cocktails and settled down to observe who else would be arriving.

[Libby]

Stasya may be debuting her own fashion company here in Niameck but the fact she'd been around events like this all her life made her not feel nervous in the slightest, she knew only too well that in the fashion world the hype surrounding a person was all that really mattered and so with her fathers wealth behind her, a vast social media following and a King as a boyfriend she was destined to get great coverage for her new brand. It also helped that former model and Lodjain top end designed Milana Vasylyshyn had sat down with her and helped her get started. It may seem strange helping a potential competitor but Milana had grown up close to the Pelagiya family and was herself the daughter of an influential noble, infact she was destined to inherit the Baronette of Jazan when her father passed on. Accompanying them was another well connected Lodjain young designer Vasilisa Vasilev who was the lastest CEO of the fashion brand set up by her mother 30 years ago. The Vasilev family had designed many of the wedding dresses for the daughters and even grand-daughters of Queen Sonja and so their place in Lodjain fashion royalty was secured.

The three had arrived to the event together in a rather stand out red Rolls Royce which a smartly suited chaeffeur had held the door for them. The three made their way inside and Stasya introduced them to Adelheid before taking their seats for the opening show. After it was done the three Lodjains found themselves a table in the lounge, acquired a bottle of vodka, some fruit juices and settled down to gossip and people watch. Milana spotted Erin Osman and suggested they go and say hello, "I don't think so." Stasya said rather firmly. "She keeps telling the media David is trying to seduce her, she's something wrong in her head." the three laughed and poured themselves another drink.

[Achkaerin]

"It's a fashion show Peter not my wedding you don't need to apologize for not being available besides you've got more important things to worry about." Amelia Whitaker said over the phone a few moments after the opening show finished, she was the niece of the Achkaerinese Emperor and while she'd have liked him there to see her company's latest collection on display up and down the runway it wasn't a deal breaker for her. Amelia had been in the fashion game for a few years now and since founding her own label Black Rose, a small company that punched above that, she tended to get the design jobs for the Achkaerinese nobility and royals, most notably Crown Princess Serenity's wedding and that had been one heck of a nightmare, not just the bridal dress but the bridesmaids dress's as well all seven of them, each in different colours.

After she hung up the phone Amelia looked around the lounge spotting several people she knew, her business partner and good friend Sam Baxter came over with a drink in each hand
"Lemonade for me and a diet coke for you." Sam said
"Don't get that down your suit." Amelia said as she took her drink off him
"You're never going to let me forget that are you?" Sam said
"No" Amelia said "Where's Cécile?"
"Just coming now." Sam said "She was just looking over the outfits."
"Again?" Amelia asked "That's got to be the tenth time since we got here."

And now Cécile Alméras walked in and joined them, she was a young designer and new face to Black Rose she was on an apprenticeship with the company while she studied at Rosevale College though Amelia had made no secret of her intention to keep Cécile on after that she rated the young girl and that led to the slight intrigue of the midnight collection that they were unveiling - it was a Black Rose collection and while Amelia and Sam had done some of the designs half of them were Cécile's and Amelia's decision to exhibit the up and comer's work had put the girl in a bit of an anxious mood.

"Drink?" Sam asked, Cécile nodded so off Sam went to get one
"Relax." Amelia said "It's your first big show enjoy it." she then went on to point the various recognizable faces out
"So now what?" Cécile asked
"Now you have that drink Sam's bringing you then we'll relax before we do final checks before the show." Amelia said

[Norgeras]

Adelheid walked over to Erin nodding slowly:

"Miss Ossman! I think the Gossip Daily wanted a Line or two from you at the Interview Booth." She gave a quick smiled and nodded over: "Something about you and Lady Stasya being at the same Event."  she smiled before twirling over to the Lodjans, her smile warm and she made a very photogenic greeting for Stasya, falsely kissing her cheeks:

"Good to see you." She said, before nodding to Vasillia:

"You show's is one of the Openers. We got Golf carts in the Supply corridors below to get you over quickly. I know it's a bit hasty but your show starts in fifteen after all."

[Libby]

Vasillia was an old hand at events like this, she'd grown up alongside the fashion business and had lost counts of the number of fashion shows she'd attended. Stasya and Milana followed her over to the backstage area where they cast their eyes over the models for the start of the show being dressed. The outfits for the first half of the show where going to be a series of day to day fashion items, stylish denim jeans, pencil skirts, jackets of various kinds and generally items that fingers crossed would be in high street stores within the next few weeks. The models waited for the music to begin before one at a time being released down the catwalk, as each returned she scurried into the back where she was re-dressed in now dresses designed for the kind of balls and events that were common in Lodja. This time however two male models waited for each lady the men dressed in smart dinner jacket suits.

Each girl made their second pass down the catwalk. This time the ball dresses flowing behind them. It was when the final walkers came that Lady Stasya had agreed to walk for her friends label. She however made her entry onto the catwalk laughing as no sooner had she linked arms with the two male models either side of her than they had donned masks, each one with the face of King David of East Moreland on. It was a well known fact the pair were lovers and Staysa had attempted to persuade him to come to the event, that had failed as he had business to take care of but at least this was as close as she'd get. Stasya enjoyed the attention she was clearly getting as people took photos and the lights of flashes helped illuminate the stage. They reached the far end of the catwalk and Stasya posed twisting and turning before relinking arms with her "Dave's" and elegantly marching back up the stage. This time as they reached the exit to the catwalk she was supposed to once more pose for the crowd but instead she mockingly grabbed one of the "Daves" and pretended to passionatly kiss him before letting him go, pretending to smooth her hair and then made her way back inside.

The three Lodjain contributors hugged as the show came to an end. "Well you did say it'd be a great photo oppurtunity you and David walking together" Vasilia said as she finished hugging Stasya, "That was the closest I could get"

"Very funny" Stasya smiled, "But I'm keeping this dress....I rather like it." Stasya informed her friend who was only too pleased to let her have it.

[Norgeras]

Adelheid was enjoying Stasya's show until a loud beeping in her Ear signaled an Alarm from Maintenance for Stage three. Her Face turned pale as she hurried back into the Tunnels darting over to witness the Champagne mess  Beauharnais made in the Hall from the Lighting Regie:

"Himmel Arsch und Zwirn!" she cursed, before phoning in the Facility crews:

"Emergency call, we need to clean up Stage three before Black Rose comes on. Usher the Guests out gently but speedy once the current show is over."

Sweat started appearing on Adelheids Forehead. This was not good. She already counted the amount of Senators that would Flip a table for this Show off of Wasting. She would have to make up a Story calming them down. But for now? Get the sticky mess the overachiever made out.




The Double V stage was mostly filled with the younger Audience. The show started slowly with the girls mostly whispering to each other and taking pictures on their phones, but as soon as Stasya came on with her "Davids", the crowd flipped, cheering her own and laughing loudly. Even the Boy Teenagers started cheering, some even yelling "Make me your Second Husband!" up to Stasya. It seemed she stole the show in the end.


The reaction to Beauharnais was more mixed. The debating was hot between the guests, partly angry hissing, part shocked whispers:

"Can he do that?"
"How dare he waste such Luxuries!"
"That is what i call true art!"
"Mind of a genius i tell you!"

It was very lively, and the Reporters couldn't keep up with taking notes as people where ushered out once the show ended to allow a swift clean up.




Henriette impatiently tapped her foot on the floor as she waited for the timer to go down. She hadn't agreed initially with the plans of some nonsense pompous showcase event. But Mouth to Mouth Propaganda got word out only that far, and they had dwindling sales over the last decade, while most Toga and Tunic Tailors had switched to Internet sales earlier than them. They fell behind and this was the chance to catch up again and get the Relevance back her father had thirty years ago.

She had decided against her conservative view to deliver a show to blow it a bit out of proportions, and now here they where.

As "O Fortuna" started from the speakers a set of four men in Grey linen Tunics and simple Black Linen Togae carried a fifth Elderly Model onto Stage. The fight model was dressed in a fine Silk Tunic, bearing a gold Seam and small flower pattern, while Wrapped in a Black Satin Toga. The five started a procession reminisced of a Funeral, and as they reached the half point of the Stage, where joined by a "Family" of five Models at different Age, showcasing different combinations for age and Price points. From Silk for the Father and Mother, down to Easy washable Linen for the youngest Model that was trotting behind them waving at the audience a little too energetic and cheerful.

The next Set was different Festivities inspired Combinations, with flowers for Spring or Snow Patterns for Winter. This time she had Picked Pieces from "Four Seasons" to be played while the Corresponding Sets where Displayed.

The last Display was the classic Combination everyone did need, the Senatorial Colors. Orange Cotton for the Youth Senate, Blue for the Regional Senates, and finally Henrietta Stepped on in her own Purple Dress for the Elder Senate. She had gone for the finest Silk taffeta and a Golden Lace Seam, bowing to the crowding Visitors in the end while the stage had played the Imperial March from a Mundus Wide known Sci Fi Franchise.

[DaveIronside]

The seeming panic over the Beauharnais show indicated to Erin that the hosts didn't truly understand the point of a fashion show, it was all about publicity, the fashion and function of the clothing came a very distant last and of course all publicity was good publicity. The previous two shows had just shown that as Erin smiled as she watched her own social media feed fill up with pictures of both shows and comments on them. She looked and saw how both brands suddenly got more followers but more amusingly was the way Stasya was getting slaughtered by the East Moreland media for using her relationship with the King to get attention for her appearance. In a way Erin admired the Lodjain, she'd managed to keep herself in the media gaze and that meant more fame, more money and of course more fun. She left April to watch the frantic clean up as she headed off to check her make up and see who she could bump into before the next event.

[Libby]

Despite it being Stasya's first fashion show she wasn't particularly nervous as she understood only too well that the designs were not what mattered, it was the publicity after all she'd brought enough clothing in her time to know it was the name of the brand that was important every bit as much as the way that it looked and with things the way they were at the moment she was confident anyone wearing her brand would be seen as "with it."

Stasya had gone for something different it was perhaps useful being the only unestablished brand to be on show as she had an idea what everyone else would be showing and so had pitched something slightly different. As some sickly catchy pop song began young teenage girls began to take to the runway. Each wearing rather quirky dresses which at closer inspection seemed rather awkward then it became clear what they'd been made from. The first girls dress was made out of plastic drinks bottles, the plastic melted and reshaped but the various labels still vaguely visible creating a patchwork style pattern. The next girl had a rather heavy looking skirt which was made out of an old plastic fishing net, some fake starfish entangled in its mesh to give it a rather more "just thrown off the boat" appearence. One after another various repurposed and recycled outfits where displayed and gradually the models became older until adults were parading wearing dresses made from a variety of odd materials. It was the next to last model who had one of the more elaborate items however the lights made it a nightmare to wear, the dress made totally out of black bin liners inside it was rather warm but the elegant model, her hair piled high on her head showed little reaction. As she began her return journey towards the backstage area where the models where carefully undressing and Stasya's team where putting the outfits carefully into fancy boxes the announcer spoke. "Please welcome the designer of the collection. Lady Stasya Pelagiya." Stasya stepped onto the stage for the second time, this time her hair oiled and scrapped back, a pair of thigh high boots and a corset made out of drinks cans. Her lengthy legs helped her stride purposely to the end of the stage where instead of posing, turning and heading back to the rear of the stage she stopped and picked up a microphone an aide was holding ready for her.

"Thank you for coming today" she said enjoying the photographers flash bulbs bathing her in light. "We understood Neu Urburzis are a nation that wish even their fashion to be as environmentally friendly as possible, so we showed what can be done with recycled material. Each item we've shown would have ended up in landfill, now we've given it a second life. Now what we intend to do is gather in the bar later, each of the items you saw, except this one because I've rather fallen in love with it, will be sold in an auction. All the money raised will be given to Princess Adelheid to donate to a charity of her choosing that does something to promote things or people being given a second chance, just like these drink cans." She casually tossed the microphone back to the aid, blew the crowd a kiss and strutted back. Unlike the others she didn't get changed, instead staying in her tin can corset ready to hopefully get some more free publicity with her charitable auction.

[Norgeras]

Adelheid had freshened up a little, heading back to the center stage area while the break show was commencing. she had been keeping tabs on the shows via a tablet, being rather glad so far the sticky mess Beauharnais left behind got removed in time for Black Rose to prepare their show.

She had to admit that Stasya had outdone herself. The dresses where incredible tasteless but as soon as you slap the words charity and recycled on them she just knew the press would love it.

"Well done, stasya." she murmured while grabbing champagne from the bar. The Intermission show beginning at the Center hall




The break show was tuned down, both from attraction level and volume. Visitors where supposed to grab a drink and get a chance to breath between the shows. People snacked on fancy shaped frozen foam dishes and similar extravagant styled and overpriced, while the Vip Area had Caviar and the usual frivolities of high society. Except gold leaf, Adelheid had to admitted she didn't like it.

She checked her list, next two shows where Double V and Black Rose, meaning she still had a bit before her own show and the after show duties.