Free Fashion Faux Paw by Judi McCoy Page B

tall, thin model said, “Where did you get the idea for that?”
    The crowd murmured their approval, which encouraged Yasmine, in typical model fashion, to slip off her robe and shimmy the gown over her head. That’s when the dress transformed from a lovely piece of cloth to a work of art. It had no shoulder straps, just a bodice dusted with pale pink feathers that ran down over the bust to a high, fitted waist that dropped to the floor in a fall of pink mixed with shades of purple and every color in between.
    A few inches shorter than Yasmine, blond-haired and blue-eyed Cassandra swooned. “Oh, my God, I’m going to look like royalty.” She arched a brow and stared at Kitty. “Mine is exactly the same as this one, right?”
    “Almost. Not as long, of course, and the belt is a bit wider, but that’s it.”
    Yasmine twirled and the girls grabbed at the fabric, letting it slip through their fingers and gushing over its lush feel. While they muttered comments, Kitty turned to Ellie.
    “Looks like I did good on this one, huh?”
    “I’ll say,” said Ellie. “Now what else do you have?”
    “The outfit I’m using to replace Lilah’s from yesterday.” She held up a one-piece jumpsuit in cream wool with rust-colored buttons, a wide rust suede belt, and matching collar and cuffs. “What do you think?”
    “I love it,” said Ellie, imagining herself dressed in it. “The color coordination is perfect.”
    “I’m glad you like it. I made it with you in mind.”
    “Me? But why?”
    “Marcus David was right yesterday when he was arguing with Lilah. You could be a model like Cassandra or Claire Smith, so I imagined you wearing it while I drew the design.”
    Ellie admired the line of the fabric and the slash-cut pockets trimmed in the same rust suede. If this ever came to a ready-to-wear store, she would buy it, no matter the cost.
    “That is an incredible piece.”
    Ellie heard a voice coming from behind her and turned.
    “You’re here. I’m glad you found your way over.”
    “Are you kidding?” said Viv. “I wouldn’t miss this chance for the world.” She handed Ellie the swag bag. “And here’s what you asked for.”
    Ellie took the basket and set it on a chair. “Kitty, this is my best friend, Vivian. Viv, this is Kitty King, one of the participants in the Nola Morgan Design contest.”
    The women shook hands, and Viv asked, “Is that one of your creations?”
    Though focused on the swag bag, Kitty heard the question. “It is. Do you like it?”
    “It’s beautiful,” said Viv. She followed the designer’s gaze. “Oh, that’s just something Ellie asked me to drop off.”
    Kitty glanced at Ellie. “I hate to be nosy, but is there a reason you need the gift bag here today?”
    “Ah, sort of.”
    “You’re a terrible liar, Triple E. Might as well tell her the truth.”
    “I mean, yes, someone needed to see it.” Ellie figured she could get away with a lie within a truth. She grabbed Viv’s hand. “Come on. Let me introduce you to the models.”
    While they’d been chatting, a few more of the NMD girls had shown up, and they were still admiring Kitty’s feathered dress. Ellie made introductions while Yasmine stepped out of the dress and returned it to Kitty.
    “My designer is Marcus David, and I haven’t seen his evening wear yet,” said Claire. “My guess is it’ll be some kind of tribute to his younger sister. She died a year ago, and it took him a while to get back to work on his designs.”
    The sentence made Ellie think about what Kitty had just told her. Other artists, like painters and sculptors, sometimes had a person in mind when they did their work, so why not a designer?
    Since Viv fit right in with the cluster of models, Ellie pulled her old assistant aside. “Is something bothering you about the swag bag?”
    Kitty folded the dress and jumpsuit carefully over her arm. “Not exactly. I heard a rumor, is all, and I’m worried.”
    “Care to tell me what the rumor was