Chloe by Design: Measuring Up

by Margaret Gurevich

  “This one is hot!” says Nina. “Really different from your usual designs.”

  My face flushes. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I thought Nina and I were finally becoming friends, and then she gives me a backhanded compliment.

  Nina shakes her head and puts up her hands, surrender style. “That came out wrong. I didn’t mean your designs aren’t normally hot. I just mean this is edgier than what you usually do.” She covers her face. “Ugh. Was that rude too?”

  I look at the design. I let myself be more open in that sketch rather than playing it safe. “No, it wasn’t rude. You’re right. This was a good requirement because it pushed me out of my comfort zone. Lola’s style is louder than mine, and I’m glad I got it right.”

  Finally, Nina looks at my last sketch. For all the edge the first two had, the last has none. This was supposed to be an outfit Lola would wear at home or running errands, so it can’t be fancy, but I still want it to be reflective of her personal style. I sketched an easy long-sleeved shirt with black-and-white stripes, black skinny jeans, and gold flats. I also sketched my model with a long fishtail braid and added a gold headband for a little extra sparkle.

  “I like the gold,” I say, “but I need something to make it less boring.”

  “This is just Lola picking up groceries or something, right? She doesn’t need to be that fancy,” says Nina.

  “I know, but I still feel like something is missing. Like you said, Lola James probably couldn’t look bad if she tried, but this outfit doesn’t really have that spark. You know what I mean?”

  Nina nods. “Got it. What if you made her pants red and added a black pocket to her shirt to break up the stripes?”

  “That’s it!” I say. “It was too monochomatic. I can add a red bag for more color, too. Thanks, Nina!”

  “No problem,” says Nina. “Sometimes all you need is a fresh set of eyes. I have the same problem with some of my designs. Even if the answer is something obvious, I can stare at them forever and still not see it.”

  “Good thing I’m here then,” I say. Again, I think about how much Nina reminds me of Alex sometimes. I can think of several times when I couldn’t quite figure out why an outfit wasn’t working. Then, Alex would come over, rummage in my closet for a minute, and find the perfect belt or accessory that would make all the difference. Sometimes, at least in my case, a designer can be too close to an idea to see what needs to be fixed.

  As if Alex knows I’m thinking about her, my phone pings just then with a text from her asking if we’re still on for pizza tonight. I feel Nina watching me as I type my reply.

  “You have to go?” Nina asks. She looks a little disappointed but is trying to hide it.

  “Soon.” I really want to ask her to come with us. The more time I spend with Nina, the more I think she and Alex would get along if they gave each other a chance. “We still have some time, though. Want me to look at your pop star designs?”

  Nina starts gathering her papers like she’s going to put them away. “You don’t have to.”

  “C’mon, we’re helping each other, remember? I want to.”

  “Okay,” Nina says quietly. I realize it must be a new experience for her to trust me too. She looks through her sketches again for a moment and then reluctantly hands me three designs.

  The first image is very rock star. Nina drew silver metallic pants with studs down the side. The top is black with a plunging neckline and lattice lace-up front. The sides have lattice lace-up, too.

  “Is it too out there?” Nina asks. “I really wanted to push my limits to show my range as a designer. I know a lot of my stuff is more feminine. I wanted to prove I can do more than that.”

  “Not at all!” I say. “This is definitely Diana’s look. I like how you do edgy.”

  “It was hard for me, actually,” says Nina. “I kept wanting to add a floral pattern, but then it wouldn’t have been Diana.” She pauses. “Remember when I sent Sophia over for her dress design?”

  “Yep,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Her design ideas were all over the place. I was convinced you sent her just to mess with me.”

  Nina grins. “Well, maybe a little,” she says. “But it was mostly because I didn’t trust myself to create what she wanted. This portfolio piece showed me how to put aside my own vision and work for the client.”

  I nod and flip to Nina’s next drawing. It’s a sketch of Diana out on the town with friends. She kept the same rock star motif, but toned it down a bit. Diana still stands out, though, in a modern purple jumpsuit and leather jacket. The jacket has studs accentuating the oversized collar.

  “You got to do your purple thing here,” I say, taking note of Nina’s signature color. “It’s a nice way of combining your style sense with hers.”

  “I was going to do it all in black first, but thought I’d give color a shot. I’m afraid it’s a little much, though.”

  I take a closer look. For Lola James, it might definitely be too much, but it works for the pop star Nina chose. “The lavender softens the sketch. I like it.”

  Just then, my phone pings a reminder. If I’m going to meet Alex on time, I’d better get going. “Next time I want to see your last Diana sketch,” I say.

  “You got it,” Nina agrees with a smile. This time, I can tell she believes me.

  “I’m really going to miss hanging out with you like this,” Alex says later that week.

  She and I are sitting in my room waiting for another classmate/client to arrive to talk about her dress for Winter Formal. With the dance only a few weeks away, I only have time to take on two more dresses. Otherwise, Mimi won’t have enough time to sew them.

  “It’s not like we’re not going to hang out once the dresses are done. We see each other all the time.” I give her hand a squeeze.

  Alex chews on her lip. “Not all the time,” she mutters under her breath.

  I know what Alex means, but I’m getting a little tired of having this conversation over and over again. When we went out for pizza on Monday, I told her a little about how Nina helped me with my Lola James sketch. Alex just pursed her lips and said something about how I shouldn’t be so quick to trust Nina.

  I know where she’s coming from — Nina wasn’t always trustworthy in the past — but I really feel like things are different now. When Alex makes snide comments about Nina, it makes me feel like Clueless Chloe — like I’m someone who needs babysitting because she can’t figure things out for herself.

  “You’re right — not all the time,” I say. “There are times you hang out with Dan too.”

  “That’s totally different,” Alex protests. “Dan is my boyfriend.”

  I raise my eyebrows. “So, it’s fine for you to hang out with Dan — without me — but it’s not okay for me to hang out with Nina and do college stuff? Really, Alex?”

  Alex sighs. “I don’t know why it bothers me so much. It just does.”

  I fight back a sigh. I just wish Alex could be happy for me, rather than acting jealous that I’ve made a new friend. “You’re still my best friend,” I reassure her. “Nothing’s going to change that.”

  “I know that,” Alex insists, but she looks relieved to hear me say it.

  I get my sketchpad ready, happy to change the topic. “So who are we waiting for today?”

  Alex checks her notes, flipping through a few pages until she gets to the schedule she set up. “Rhiannon Whitman.”

  I frown. “I don’t think I know her. Do you?”

  Alex shakes her head. “The name sounds familiar, but I don’t know her know her. She might have been in my gym class last year.”

  Just then there’s a knock on my door, and my mom pokes her head inside. “Ladies,” she says, half-bowing. She always makes a production each time we get a new client. “Rhiannon is here.”

  A tall, curvy girl with her hair pulled ba
ck in a tight bun enters the room. Her boot-cut jeans flatter her figure, and she’s paired them with a black tunic top that has embellishments around the scooped neck.

  I thought I’d recognize her once I saw her, but she looks only vaguely familiar. Still, I greet her with a smile. “Hi, Rhiannon,” I say.

  She smiles a warm, open smile. “Hey! I’m so excited about this. My band friends aren’t that into fashion, but I love Design Diva.”

  When I hear the word band, something clicks. “You play French horn! I remember the last concert. You were great!”

  Rhiannon smiles again. “Thanks so much! I love playing, but our band outfits are not exactly fashionable if you know what I mean.”

  I nod. The marching band outfits are black polyester pants with red shirts. Brass buttons run vertically down the fronts of the shirts and the sides of the pants. The band members also wear matching fuzzy hats. The concert outfits fall on the other extreme. They’re very simple — black bottoms and white tops. The girls usually wear a pencil skirt and white blouse.

  “So what are you looking for today?” I ask.

  “Well, I love metallics,” says Rhiannon.

  “Great! How about the style? Are you thinking floor-length or short?”

  Rhiannon shows me some pictures she ripped out of a magazine. “I like these, but I’d like something floor length. And I think I want something formfitting to accentuate my curves.”

  I get an idea in my head and do a sketch. I really enjoyed designing some of the more traditional, princess-inspired dresses I’ve worked on up to this point, but I like the challenge of this one. I envision a slinky, sleeveless metallic wrap dress with a gathered waistband. Maybe something with a long, dramatic train. Rhiannon peeks over my shoulder as I sketch.

  “What do you think?” I ask.

  “The metallic fabric and the fit are definitely what I had in mind, but I’m not totally sure on the train,” Rhiannon says. “I feel like I might spend the whole night tripping over it.”

  I nod in understanding. The train would be perfect for the red carpet, but I can see how it might be a little much for a high school dance. It’s hard sometimes to not get caught up in a design just because I like it. I have to remember to take the client’s needs — and the occasion — into account as well.

  I get busy shortening the train slightly, adjusting the skirt to a more manageable mermaid draped hem. When I’m finished adjusting the hem, I add a cool bow flounce at the hip to balance the silhouette.

  “How’s this?” I ask, moving my sketchpad closer to Rhiannon.

  “That’s perfect,” Rhiannon gushes. “You are a genius, just like everyone’s been saying.”

  Alex grins. “That’s Chloe!”

  “Stop it, you two.” I feel my cheeks flush. “But I’m so glad you like it.”

  “Not like,” says Rhiannon. “Love!”

  I give Rhiannon Mimi’s info so she can get the dress made, and the smile is still on my face after she leaves. “This has been so fun,” I tell Alex. “I’ve felt like I’ve been living my dream of being a real fashion designer.”

  “I know! It’s been a blast,” says Alex, but she doesn’t look happy — she looks worried. “But I just realized something. We have a problem.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask.

  “Chloe, we’ve been so busy planning all the other girls’ dresses, we’ve totally forgotten about our own!”

  “What?” I ask. “How is that possible?” I look through my sketchpad, hoping something will magically appear. But Alex is right. “Oh, man.”

  “Do you think Mimi can fit both of us in?” asks Alex, sounding a little unsure.

  “I hope so,” I say. “We’re going to feel pretty silly if everyone else has amazing dresses, and we’re wearing something off the rack. I’ll call Mimi later and ask. Then I just have to design something. No pressure there.”

  Alex’s eyes light up. “I just got the best idea! You know me perfectly, and I totally trust you. Can my dress design be a surprise?”

  I shoot her a look. “I’m flattered, but do you really think that’s a good idea? You’ve seen the girls who came in here. Even the ones who knew what they wanted had trouble narrowing down the design.”

  “That’s just the thing. This will take all the back-and-forth out of it.” Alex clasps her hands together in a begging position. “Please? I want to be surprised.”

  I have to admit, it would be fun to design something for Alex. And I’m already using her clothing evolution for my portfolio. This would be a great addition. “Okay,” I agree, “I’ll do it!”

  Dear Bailey,

  I can’t believe I’ll be seeing you in exactly one week! Thanks again for letting me stay with you. Bummer that you have a big test on Tuesday, but at least it will be over by the time I get there Saturday! You’re too sweet to offer to let me stay Friday and Sunday night too, but Saturday is generous enough. Don’t want you getting sick of me! I’ll crash with my mom at the hotel the other nights. Thanks again! See you soon!

  xoxo

  — Chloe

  I look over my email to Bailey and hit send. Just thinking about going back to New York makes me so happy. There’s something about walking those city streets. I run downstairs to discuss more with my mom and find her sitting at the kitchen table, spiral notebook out. Beside her are five different colored markers.

  “What are you doing?” I ask.

  “I just want to make sure we don’t forget anything,” Mom replies, tapping a pink marker on the table and reviewing her notes.

  “For when we leave on Friday? As in six days from now?” I ask. Talk about over-planning. But I’m not really surprised. Big cities tend to stress my mom out a little. She stayed in New York City with me when I filmed Teen Design Diva, so she’s a little more comfortable there, but that’s not really saying much. Making lists makes her feel more in control.

  I don’t really have room to judge, though. I’m the same way! I’ve been making pro/con lists for all my college stuff. And I did the same thing when I was planning my designs on Teen Design Diva. It’s just easier for me to think when things are laid out in front of me.

  I take a peek at my mom’s list. She has the things she’s packing in one color, the dates of our college tours in another, my visit to Stefan Meyers headquarters and meeting with Laura in a third, and dinner on Friday in another color.

  “Looks good,” I say. “Maybe I should start thinking about what I’m bringing too.” My list, though, will look nothing like Mom’s. I like to spell things out in sketches.

  “Your way is more fun. If I could draw more than a stick figure, I’d do the same.” Mom highlights Friday’s dinner in yellow and underlines the Parsons tour in pink. “Are we meeting up with Jake or Liesel at all while we’re there?”

  “That’s the plan,” I say, “but we’re still trying to figure out a day that works.” I’m so excited to see both of them.

  Mom looks at her schedule. “Well, let me know what you decide. I need to color-code them.”

  “Of course you do,” I say, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. “All your colors gave me an idea, though. Do I have time to do some sketches before dinner?”

  Mom looks at the clock. “Dinner? Shoot. I should probably start that.”

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” I say, smiling.

  I leave Mom downstairs working on her color organization and head to my room to work on my portfolio. One set of portfolio requirements I’ve been a little behind on is the swimwear. The idea of doing swimsuits for a seasonal fashion line came quickly to me when I was reading the FIDM requirements, but other than choosing my first three designs, I’ve done nothing. My mom’s color bonanza got my brain moving in that direction again.

  I pull out the design I like best. It’s a blue-and-neon yellow swimsuit with molded cups and seams, made o
f scuba material. The midsection of the swimsuit is a lighter blue, but the cups and sides are accented with darker navy blue and neon yellow. It’s an adorable swimsuit — if I do say so myself! — but the next step is converting this design to eveningwear.

  I start sketching, trying out different lengths and designs, and use shading to play with the textures. I’d like to keep the color scheme the same because it would make a bold statement. With my own clothing, I prefer pops of color. But bolder might be better for this assignment. I envision the bathing suit transforming into a short, body-conscious dress. I use the molded cups for the bodice. Can the dress be in a scuba-type material too? I draw the bathing suit on one side of my sketchpad and the transformation into a dress on the other.

  I’m feeling really good about the design and decide to tackle another bathing suit idea while I’m on a roll. My next idea is for a retro-inspired swimsuit. I already drew a red halter top with a sweetheart neckline and adjustable straps and paired it with red high-waist bottoms. The red is broken up by white polka dots and ruching.

  Unlike the first design, I decide my transformation of this piece will be more casual — maybe something to wear out with friends instead of to a formal event. I start sketching, keeping the sweetheart neckline and halter straps intact. Then I add ruching to the formfitting top and let the skirt flare out at the waist. The red-and-white polka dots give the dress a fun, playful vibe.

  I check the clock on my phone. Normally, we’d be having dinner any minute, but given my last conversation with Mom I probably have time for one more design. I flip to my last swimsuit sketch, also a retro look. I drew a white bandeau top with black and white straps and paired it with high-waist, black-and-white striped bottoms. Now I just need to figure out how to transform this design into something unique that can be worn away from the beach.

  I get busy drawing bandeau tops and high-waist skirts, trying to find a way to combine both designs in a cohesive way. Something’s not working, but I can’t quite figure out what. I play with lengthening the skirt, and that does the trick. Next I sketch a white bandeau top and add small straps on the side to connect it to the long, formfitting skirt. A sliver of skin is left exposed where the bandeau top and skirt meet.