Chapter 206: 198 Let's Make a Big Fool of Zhong Zhiwan [First Update]

“`

Every design sketch will be projected onto the screen at the front.

Details are magnified to allow all the judges to view them.

After this design sketch appeared, the judges only took a glance, hadn’t yet taken a closer look, but their expressions immediately changed and became solemn.

The set of four sketches previously sent over by Chuguang Media were designed based on the Four Divine Beasts from Oriental mythology.

The element of the Four Divine Beasts is not uncommon, appearing in every fashion design competition since there are many designers and companies from Hua Country.

But of all the competitions held to date, only that set had left a deep impression on them.

The judges were also top designers within the design industry, with sharp eyes.

Even though the design sketch from Luxurious Embroidery differed from Chuguang Media’s, they could tell that the former had plagiarized the latter, yet failed to copy any of the essences.

Not to mention, the original was a set of four gowns, whereas the design sketch from Luxurious Embroidery depicted only one.

In such design competitions, incidents of plagiarism are not few, but they mostly involve lesser-known designers.

Never had there been an instance where someone directly copied another participant’s entry.

“This Luxurious Embroidery really has some nerve,” a woman scoffed coldly and stood up from her seat, “Do they not realize their limitations, to dare copy Chuguang Media’s design sketch?”

In past competitions, Chuguang Media might not have made it into the top three, yet they consistently left Luxurious Embroidery, ranking beyond fifteenth, far behind.

The two were simply not in the same league.

However, if Chuguang Media had not sent in that particular set of designs, Luxurious Embroidery, based on this very design sketch, would definitely have a chance to make it into the top three.

The expressions of the other judges were also very grave.

One of them asked, “Does the designer from Luxurious Embroidery have any connection with Chuguang Media’s designer, like colleagues?”

Otherwise, how could it be copied so precisely?

Even the patterns at the cuff were exactly the same.

“Let me see,” another judge lowered his head, “The designer from Luxurious Embroidery is signed ‘Zhong Zhiwan.’ I haven’t heard the name, probably another newcomer designer, this age—”

His gaze fell further, and he frowned, “17 years old. At such an age, it’s unlikely to have such profound design skills.”

Of course, prodigies are an exception.

It’s just unfortunate that this design was plagiarized in the first place.

“No doubt about the plagiarism,” the previous judge said, looking upset, “Such a design doesn’t stand a chance even in the rematch, and if word gets out, it will be a huge embarrassment.”

What is most taboo in the design world?

Nothing other than plagiarism.

Once branded with that label, the designer’s career is over for life.

“Send it back directly,” a judge on the right also nodded, “Since Luxurious Embroidery dares to use plagiarized work this time, who knows if they would do it again next time.”

“Luxurious Embroidery and its affiliated designers must be banned from participating in future fashion design competitions!”

“No need,” the woman instead raised her hand to stop them. She spoke evenly, “Since they are audacious enough to submit a plagiarized work, they must be quite confident.”

“At this point in time, the gowns should already be under construction, with all the materials prepared, we shouldn’t let their efforts go to waste.”

Upon hearing her words, the other judges looked over, slightly surprised, “What do you mean?”

The woman was 36 years old this year, named Martha Menewin.

She was the youngest female to have ever received the highest honor in the design world, and was the head of the jury for this competition.

She had the final say in major decisions.

“What I mean is, let them continue in the competition,” Martha nodded, “We’ll create an extra spot in the finals, so the plagiarized work doesn’t take up the place of other quality works.”

“So they like to plagiarize? Let this designer named Zhong Zhiwan plagiarize to their heart’s content in broad daylight and make a fool of themselves.”

Martha had no fondness for plagiarism; instead, she despised it deeply.

Her own works had been plagiarized by a classmate before.

If she hadn’t saved a draft of her design beforehand, she wouldn’t have just been accused of plagiarism and expelled from the design community.

She would also have had to watch as her original works were stolen by someone else and converted into supreme glory.

“That’s not a bad idea,” another judge agreed, “It also serves as a warning to other contestants to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.”

After the jury finished their discussion, they set aside the design sketch from Luxurious Embroidery and continued to review the other entries.

**

Three days later.

Ke Huizhu received the invitation to the finals.

“`

Although this wasn’t the first time Luxurious Embroidery had received such a commission, she was still very excited.

She was certain that, with this set of design drawings, Luxurious Embroidery would be able to establish a firm footing in the international design community, and the invitations would keep coming.

“President Ke, don’t you think it’s impossible for a high school student to design something like this?” her assistant couldn’t help but say, “Moreover, this gown actually has some flaws.”

For example, the line at the waistband is a little unsmooth.

“All right, I’ve checked it out, this style of ‘Vermilion Bird’ does not belong to any well-known designer.” Ke Huizhu waved her hand, “If it’s someone unknown, do you think they have the strength to compete with Luxurious Embroidery? They probably can’t even afford to produce this gown.”

A little hush money should be enough.

Although Luxurious Embroidery wasn’t a top-tier company, blocking a little designer from making their way in the design world was still possible.

The assistant didn’t dare to say anything more.

“Even if something does happen, there will be designers to shoulder the blame.” Ke Huizhu was unconcerned, “These are not things we need to worry about.”

She pinched the finals invitation, thought for a moment, and asked, “How is the gown’s production progressing?”

“Halfway done,” the assistant reported promptly, “As per your instructions, we’re using top-grade materials. The materials alone are worth three million.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

After the gown is finished, they would also need to hire a model,

Ke Huizhu’s expression finally softened, and she nodded, “Take me to see it.”

**

Luxurious Embroidery specialized in providing custom clothing for mid to small-sized families in the capital, naturally owning a large factory.

After entering, Ke Huizhu went straight to the back.

Inside, a total of twelve designers and tailors were working on this gown.

One of the designers frowned while looking at the gown’s right sleeve, seeming very troubled.

“What is it?” Ke Huizhu approached, “We don’t have much time left, don’t waste it.”

“President Ke, I think this floral pattern looks a bit odd,” the designer said, “If it’s removed, it won’t affect the overall look, but without it, the gown doesn’t have that stunning effect anymore.”

“Then don’t remove it,” Ke Huizhu gave him a puzzled look, “The design drawings have already been submitted, and you still want to change it?”

The designer swallowed back the words “I think this pattern seems to form a character.”

“Prepare yourselves, you have eight more days,” Ke Huizhu clapped her hands, “In eight days, it’s time for the dress rehearsal with the model.”

**

Shanghai City.

Chuguang Media Branch.

“Boss, the four gowns you designed have been completed.” The secretary placed the file on the desk, enviously saying, “If they weren’t so valuable, I’d like to try them on myself.”

“You like them?” Ying Zijin took over the file and flipped through it, “After the fashion show, you can pick one to take home.”

The secretary was about to burst with joy, but then she heard the next sentence.

“The cost of materials will be deducted from your salary.”

“…”

“Then forget it,” the secretary said with extreme heartache, “My month’s salary isn’t enough to buy a single sleeve.”

If just having the design drawings wasn’t sufficient, the materials for tailoring were also crucial.

Otherwise, instead of conveying the beauty of the design, it would seem cheap and vulgar.

“These two sets, give to Xie Manyu,” Ying Zijin mused, “She can carry them off. The other two, give to Shang Yaozhi.”

These mythologically themed gowns included ‘Vermilion Bird’ and ‘White Tiger’ for women, and ‘Azure Dragon’ and ‘Black Tortoise’ for men.

Xie Manyu was a double Best Actress at Chuguang Media, thirty-two years old, in the prime of a female celebrity’s life.

Although the younger generation born after ’95 and ’00 had bigger followings, they lacked presence.

“Okay, Best Actress Xie will be flying back from abroad the day after tomorrow,” the secretary nodded, “Best Actor Shang just finished promoting ‘Powdered Spy Shadow.’

‘Powdered Spy Shadow’ was the last TV drama Shang Yaozhi filmed at Xingguang Entertainment.

From the name itself, it’s clear that it was a drama with a strong female lead, which showed just how aggressively Star Entertainment exploited its actors.

But exploitation aside, the plot and character setup were solid, which was why it got on-air.

The secretary, holding an iPad, walked out, still paying attention to trending news.

“Boss, this gown…” she suddenly stopped, “Why does it look so similar to ours?”

She returned to the desk, handing over the iPad with a Weibo post on the screen.

[@Luo Ziyue V: It’s been a while since I showed up, here’s a sneak peek of the material for everyone.]