The excitement that Natalee Baxter has about the design contest was still with her as she arrived at the School of Fashion Design.  She had been driving for almost an hour, but her mind kept imagining a dress with her own "label" on it.

She thought alot about the upcoming fashion design contest lately. She really wanted to win more than anything she ever wanted in her life. The design pattern she worked on was pretty good, but probably not good enough.  Long hours of reworking it over and over created doubt in her mind.  She finished the pattern but a shadow of doubt lingered over her.

That shadow was Corinne.

"If I could be you for just one day, Corinne, life would be easy!", Natalee thought to herself. 

She envied Corinne for her easy confidence and her mastery of sewing and pattern design. It just didn't seem fair that Natalee had to struggle with her own self esteem issues and even doubted her potential talents as a future fashion designer.

Corinne caught sight of Natalee and waved.  "I know something is wrong.  If only she would talk to me!"

Corinne looked forward to the design contest but regretted the strain that it had put on her friendship with Natalee. She tried to dismiss the thought and concentrate on her design for the contest.  Her dress design was the answer to every frazzled working girl's prayers!

A turquoise button-front jacket, matching skirt and a sheer off-white shirt with feather detail. A pair of fashionable shoes and jewelry to set off the
outfit.

Corinne met Natalee by the entrance of the school as they rushed to their first class of the day, Pattern Design.  Natalee still felt insecure
about her design pattern.  She envied the other students who all seemed so sure of themselves as they sat at their tables with patterns in hand.

Ms. Naomi Quinn, the instructor, announced, "Natalee Baxter? Will you
please come up to the front of the class and discuss the theme of your pattern design?"

Natalee froze in her seat. A cold sweat. She managed to walk up to the front of the class slowly, with pattern in hand.

"I plan to use a holiday theme. The dress is perfect for the woman who wants to appear festive at holiday get-togethers.  My dress design calls for an amethyst silk blend material with long-flowing sleeves, sweet-heart neckline, tulip skirt--to accentuate womanly curves. It can be accented with colorful holiday jewelry and sweet earrings. The shoes can be creatively selected. It is up to you! Have fun with it!  As I have
accomodated for most pattern sizes, most women can wear this design."

Natalee waited a few minutes and took a deep breath. Then she invited a few questions.

A hand went up.

"Why did you choose amethyst for your holiday color, why not red or green like most holiday colors?", one student asked.

"Green and red are so predicatable! I wanted to be unique and different!
Also, amethyst tones are very flattering to almost everyone's complexion. It works well with the design I have in mind, but most of all I just love the color Amethyst!", Natalee replied.

Ms. Quinn gestured for Natalee to take her seat.

"Natalee has a good point here about color," Ms. Quinn said as she walked in front of her desk. "Color expresses the mood you wish to convey on any given occasion. Let's say you arrive at the holiday party in this dress. It shouts, I wanna have some fun and let's party!"

"Also", Ms. Quinn continued, "I want to discuss a few details about the fashion design contest.   It will be held at the Champagne Palace. The local news will be there, so be prepared to discuss your designs! Communication skills are important and design talent count! All designs must be original.  Now, let's see another design, okay people?"

"Corinne Joyce", Ms. Quinn announced, "Would you like to come up front and discuss your design?"

"Yes, Ms. Quinn!", Corinne replied as she collected her thoughts and hurried up to the front of the classroom.

"It just "suits" me that there are hundreds of working girls out there with fashion panic attacks! Besides the fact that you can get dressed in the dark and not screw up with this design!  My suit pattern is a no-brainer
that is super easy, super suitable answer to every frazzled working woman's prayers!  How?  With my "fowl" proof design pattern jacket and matching skirt! My pattern calls for a turquoise button front jacket and matching skirt, a sheer off-white shirt with feather detail, matching shoes and jewelry, of course! It is designed for petite to misses woman sizes! It is such a terrific style that it can take you from office to an evening out with ease!"

"Excellent, Corinne!", Ms. Quinn announed with a wide smile.

After class, Ms. Quinn waved Natalee and Corinne to her desk. "I want the two of you to take a trip over to the Champage Palace this afternoon and take a few moments to look at the types of fabrics that are popular and the different styles that are hot! Please do not overlook shoes and accessories! They tie the whole look together!  What I am trying to suggest here is that I like your concept here with your patterns, but your presentations may need work.  So, take some time, look over the dresses and have fun!"

Later that day, Natalee drove Corinne to the Champagne Palace and a simply delicious idea popped into her mind. She would surely make a smashing success at the contest if only she could get away with it. The only thing is...she would have to keep it a secret from her best friend Corinne.

"The label on the dress? Who would know? All those dresses look alike?".....Natalee schemed...with a smile on her lips....

to be continued....