The model reached the center of the stage and turned gracefully.
The skirt opened around her like a night sky filled with stars.
The audience erupted into applause.
A few guests stood up, while others called out their admiration.
The model smiled and raised one hand slightly, acknowledging the audience.
From the judges' table, the woman in green looked toward the woman in black.
WOMAN IN GREEN: "Now that is what I call a memorable design."
WOMAN IN BLACK: "It is certainly dramatic."
WOMAN IN GREEN: "Dramatic? Look at the construction. The proportions, the detailing, the way the entire silhouette has been developed. There is clearly a great deal of work behind it."
WOMAN IN BLACK: "We still need to evaluate the technical aspects."
WOMAN IN GREEN: "Of course. But we should also recognize creativity when we see it."
The woman in black pressed her lips together.
She was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the attention surrounding the presentation.
What made the situation even more interesting was the reaction of an elderly gentleman standing on an elevated balcony overlooking the ballroom.
He was dressed in a sophisticated black suit, with a white shirt and a carefully arranged bow tie. His silver hair and composed expression suggested someone accustomed to important gatherings.
Unlike many guests, he had not spent the evening talking or taking photographs.
He had been watching the competition quietly.
His position gave him a clear view of the runway and the judges' table.
When the black gown appeared, he leaned slightly forward.
His eyes narrowed with concentration.
He recognized something about the design.
It was not simply the stars or the dramatic skirt. It was the way the entire creation had been constructed, the careful balance between its decorative elements, and the confidence of the person presenting it.
He looked toward someone standing beside him.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Do you know who designed that gown?"
The person beside him shook his head.
ASSISTANT: "Not yet, sir. The organizers have not announced the designer's name."
The elderly gentleman continued watching.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Find out. I want to know exactly who is responsible for that creation."
ASSISTANT: "Of course, sir."
The assistant immediately stepped away to contact the organizing team.
Downstairs, the model continued her presentation.
She moved toward the judges' table, allowing them to examine the craftsmanship more closely.
The woman in green smiled and nodded approvingly.
WOMAN IN GREEN: "Beautiful work. The details are remarkably consistent."
The model thanked her with a graceful expression.
MODEL: "Thank you. We worked very hard to bring the design to life."
WOMAN IN BLACK: "And who exactly is we?"
The question sounded more confrontational than curious.
The model paused.
MODEL: "The design team, of course. But the original concept and the final construction were supervised by the designer."
WOMAN IN BLACK: "That doesn't answer my question. Who designed it?"
Before the model could respond, the organizer approached the judges' table with a document.
ORGANIZER: "The information regarding the collection is included in your evaluation folders. The designer's name and the complete production details are listed there."
The woman in green opened her folder.
The woman in black did the same, although her expression suggested that she was not particularly interested.
She glanced at the first page.
Then she stopped.
Her eyes moved back to the top of the document.
For several seconds, she did not say anything.
WOMAN IN GREEN: "Is everything all right?"
The woman in black slowly raised her head.
WOMAN IN BLACK: "Wait. This cannot be correct."
WOMAN IN GREEN: "What are you talking about?"
WOMAN IN BLACK: "The designer listed here... Are you certain this is the correct information?"
The organizer looked at the document.
ORGANIZER: "Yes. Those details were submitted by the production team and verified before the competition."
The woman in green took a closer look.
Her expression changed.
She looked toward the runway, then back at the document.
WOMAN IN GREEN: "Interesting."
The woman in black quickly closed the folder.
WOMAN IN BLACK: "I think we need to discuss this before making any decisions."
WOMAN IN GREEN: "Why? Is there something wrong with the submission?"
WOMAN IN BLACK: "There are questions that need to be answered."
WOMAN IN GREEN: "Then ask them. But I don't think we should allow personal opinions to interfere with the evaluation."
The woman in black gave her a cold look.
WOMAN IN BLACK: "You are making assumptions."
WOMAN IN GREEN: "And you are avoiding the actual work."
The atmosphere around the judges' table became increasingly tense.
Meanwhile, the elderly gentleman on the balcony had received the information he requested.
His assistant returned and quietly handed him a tablet.
ASSISTANT: "Sir, we have identified the designer."
The gentleman looked down at the screen.
His expression remained controlled, but his eyes revealed genuine surprise.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Are you absolutely certain?"
ASSISTANT: "Yes, sir. The information matches the official registration."
The elderly gentleman looked toward the runway again.
He watched the young woman in the black gown standing beneath the spotlight.
Then he turned his attention toward the judges' table.
Something about the situation clearly concerned him.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "I see. Then this evening may become considerably more interesting than I expected."