As more judges gathered, an increasing number of people began to try out the planetarium to select their preferred outfits.
"Naming your custom outfit after a constellation made of letters, what a great idea."
"This pattern-making skill that can unify so many different styles of clothing into a single system... is this really the work of a nineteen-year-old designer?"
"And with this workmanship and design, it's definitely going to be a massive seller!"
With the support of this unique apparatus and solid technical skill, even after having just witnessed Jean's outstanding designs, everyone still gave [Starry Sky] incredibly high praise and affirmation.
However, while everyone was still busy discovering more outfits and possibilities within the planetarium, the fashion magazine's chief editor—the one who had first exposed the flaw in [NozAK!]'s design—was staring at the models whom Tetsuya had specifically arranged to "relax" in the rest area.
The first thing she noticed, of course, were the two idols whose fame was on a national level. But what surprised the editor was that, based on their positioning, they were not the main models. Not only that, but the clothes they were wearing weren't even the outfits displayed in the planetarium, but were clearly special, custom-made pieces.
Meanwhile, the two models sitting in the center, serving as the main focus, were wearing outfits from the planetarium's collection. The sunny-looking girl was wearing a combination of a shirt vest and a pleated skirt, which perfectly interpreted the youthful feeling it was meant to convey while also matching her own temperament. The other model, who looked slightly more mature, was wearing a leather jacket and women's trousers, a combination that demanded more from the wearer. The quality of the clothing went without saying; to so boldly use an outfit with such high requirements for the wearer as an exhibition piece was a testament to the head designer's trust in his models.
"I see... so this is the main focus."
She murmured, then looked over at Tetsuya, who was explaining how to use the planetarium to the next guest.
Sensing the gaze of the formidable editor, Tetsuya asked Nagasaki Soyo to take over the explanation for him and hurried to her side.
"Hello, is there anything I can help you with?"
"The outfits those two idols are wearing, they aren't on the order form, are they?"
"Ah... that's right."
Tetsuya nodded.
"As the exclusive models for [Starry Sky], I designed 'tailor-made' clothing for them this time."
"...They have greater popularity and are wearing higher-quality clothing, yet they aren't serving as the main models?"
"After all, 'custom clothing' is only for a select few. For most people, the physical items on the racks and the photos on a website are much more reassuring."
Tetsuya explained, "And rather than using my models' popularity to blindly guide a herd mentality and have everyone imitate them, I hope to let more people wear clothes that are uniquely their own, through their own choices."
"Since you see things so clearly, then you must also understand the price of doing so, right?"
The editor turned her head to look at the crowd gathered in front of the planetarium.
"This approach of yours, in a way, completely abandons the brand's 'high-end feel'. For customers who don't understand clothing and are just looking to pursue a sense of luxury through distinctive outfits, your brand probably can't give them what they want... Are you really okay with that? With the design talent and pattern-making skills you've displayed, you absolutely have what it takes to enter the high-end fashion world in the future. If you continue with this strategy, your brand will likely be stamped with the mark of 'mass-market clothing'."
"Mmm... about that..."
Although her words were a bit harsh, it was a reality Tetsuya had to consider.
Not everyone understood clothing and fashion trends, and not everyone had the eye to discern the quality of a garment.
For him, whose goal was Jean, the strategy for [Starry Sky] might indeed prevent him from gaining the recognition of the high-end fashion world...
"To be honest, I'm not planning on considering that for the time being."
Tetsuya scratched his head, giving an answer that was a bit irresponsible for both a business owner and a designer.
"My knowledge, experience, and expertise are still too shallow. Just the clothes for this exhibition have already taken all of my effort. As for the kind of high-end feel that can be recognized by the luxury market... that's not something I should be thinking about right now."
Jean could design a piece of high fashion recognized by everyone using just a simple, coarsely made piece of cloth from an African tribe. He was still a great distance away from that level.
"With my current abilities, I'm not qualified to think about things so far in the future. Compared to a so-called high-end feel, I'd rather first do everything I can do, and do it well."
"...I see."
After hearing his full explanation, the chief editor gave him another deep look.
At a time when all brands were striving to prove their authority, only [Starry Sky] chose to return the power of choice to the wearers, letting them freely select the clothes they liked.
At a time when all designers were thinking about how to gain the approval of the high-end fashion industry, only Tetsuya recognized his own actual abilities and unleashed his full strength in the area where he excelled most.
"Did you know, Chihaya-san, that the beginning of every new fashion trend is because a designer with a strong sense of self chose to ignore all the surrounding noise and stubbornly made their own voice heard... just like you're doing right now."
"...Eh?"
Tetsuya was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook his head.
"Wait, were you really listening to what I just said? My brand strategy isn't intended to lead any so-called fashion trend!"
"Perhaps that is indeed what you think, but who can guarantee... that your maverick 'abandonment of following fashion' won't, in turn, become the new 'fashion'?"
As she spoke, the chief editor extended a hand toward him.
"Please give me an order form."
"Yes!"
For some reason, Tetsuya felt that the moment this unnamed editor-in-chief reached out for an order form, the judges gathered in front of the planetarium suddenly paused.
Then, after she had drawn a circle next to every single garment on the list, the entire group of judges erupted into a frenzy. Just as Tetsuya was about to thank her for her generosity, the others swarmed in, all demanding order forms from him.
"Eh? What's going on... Please wait a moment, everyone! I'll go get new order forms..."
The surging crowd instantly threw him into a state of flustered panic. Even the models, who were supposed to be quietly displaying the clothes, had to come to his side to help him handle the inexplicably excited crowd.
Meanwhile, the chief editor who had caused this scene quietly stepped aside, watching the crowd with a slightly helpless expression.
"...In the end, these so-called industry insiders are just blindly following the trend."
"Following others might be called following a trend, but if it's the lead of a top fashion magazine editor from Paris, France, then it can only be called trust in the industry's authority."
Jean, who had appeared near the [Starry Sky] booth at some point, said with a smile, "How about it? I told you this exhibition wouldn't disappoint you, didn't I?"
"...Perhaps."
The editor was noncommittal.
"It would have been better if that [NozAK!] hadn't sullied my eyes."
"Hahaha, my apologies, my apologies. I originally didn't plan on inviting him, but... how should I put it? As a senior, I felt I should help this promising junior out a little."
Jean said lightly.
Hearing his non-explanation of an answer, the editor couldn't help but sigh.
"You should be satisfied now. After this exhibition, the [NozAK!] brand is probably completely finished."
Having the fact of his plagiarism ruthlessly exposed in front of everyone by the editor of a top Paris fashion magazine, an authority in the industry, both Ko Ogino and the [NozAK!] brand behind him would henceforth be scorned by the entire fashion world.
Jean just shrugged nonchalantly.
"Honestly, with that plagiarist's skill level, even without this incident, he was destined to pay the price for his own foolishness eventually. Your appearance just sped up the process. Compared to that insignificant fellow, my main purpose was to have you meet Mr. Chihaya."
He paused for a moment, observing the expression on her face. Seeing the unrestrained delight in her eyes, he continued, "I'm thinking of taking him on as my student... What do you think?"
"...Oh?"
The editor raised an eyebrow, then looked again at Tetsuya, who was surrounded by the crowd.
"Not bad. If it's him, he certainly has the qualifications. With his current fundamentals and design ability, if he can just broaden his horizons, he can definitely become a designer who is no less than you."
"That's what I was thinking. So, after this joint exhibition is over, I plan to take him to Paris first, and then after the [TGC] is over, I'll slowly take him to other countries to broaden his experience."
Jean said, "But doing so might be a little unfair to him and the girls around him."
I hope he won't hold a grudge against me for such a small thing in the future, Jean thought, looking at the young designer who was still unaware of the destiny that awaited him.