Page 46 of Kissing Danger

Rather than arrange the event at a traditional venue, Nathan had decided to do something a little different.

Well, not so little.

More like, a lot different.

Nathan claimed he wanted my work to be seen by as many people as possible. When I snuck a look through the curtain out toward the runway that waited for us, my eyes widened.

Nathan was certainly going to get his wish.

The fidget spinner twirled like a propeller between my clammy fingers in an effort to keep me calm. I could practically feel the wind coming off the little toy, it was moving so fast.

I had no idea how, but Nathan had managed to rent out the fountain in front of the Bellagio hotel. It was an iconic Las Vegas landmark, visited by thousands of tourists every day.

A glass bridge had been erected over the pool practically overnight, which would act as the runway for the models. It was far enough away from the water jets to keep the outfits from getting wet, which had been my biggest concern when Nathan proposed the idea.

Already, hundreds of people were gathered around the area, curious about what was going on. A special seating area had been arranged for high-profile guests, but the overall size of the audience could have rivaled one of Thierry Mugler’s shows.

When the time to start the show finally arrived, an announcer stepped out onto the bridge with a microphone in hand. The clear material of the bridge made it look like he was walking on water, and I could already imagine what the models would look like when they stepped out onto the ethereal stage.

“Welcome,” the announcer said, his voice projecting from hidden speakers so everyone could hear him. “To this unique show held right here on the streets of Vegas.Fantaisisteis excited to announce its new look with a brand-new fashion line, inspired by the very city of Las Vegas itself.”

I wasn’t sure if it was Nathan or Kiki who had hired the announcer, but they’d made a good choice. The announcer hyped up the show with so much authentic energy and enthusiasm, it seemed like we were about to witness a pivotal moment in history.

When the announcer finished, the first model stepped out among a roar of clapping hands from the audience and splashing water from the fountain.

Unlike most fashion runways, where the models would walk to the end, do a few turns, and then walk back, the bridge had no turnaround spot. Instead, the models had been instructed to pause at the center of the bridge in order to show off the outfit. I’d specifically chosen models with backgrounds in dance. Rather than just standing straight, I wanted them to really show off each outfit’s movements.

The first model wore a long, flowing skirt with several layers inspired by the colors of a desert sunset and the feeling of wind in my hair as I stood at the top of a tall cliff. The model twirled and dipped in a series of ballet inspired moves that brought the skirt to life, and her jewelry sparkled in the afternoon sun.

The audience’s applause grew louder when she finished, barely even listening to the announcer explaining the inspiration for the outfit. After giving a quick bow, the model walked off the other side of the bridge, making way for the next one in the lineup.

This model was male, and his outfit had a more urban feel meant to represent the structure of the city. However, instead of using graphic prints with many colors, I’d chosen a monochrome palette of black and gold. Night was when the city of Las Vegas really shone, and no one could deny the splendor of its glittering lights.

Like the previous model, this one also stopped at the center of the bridge for their moment in the spotlight. Instead of ballet, the model performed a few gravity defying hip-hop maneuvers that really tested the outfit’s range of movement. When the model dropped into a backspin, I was delighted to discover an effect I hadn’t predicted. The model’s quick spinning caused the black and gold colors of his outfit to blur together, giving a momentary impression of tiger stripes.

It wasn’t planned, but I loved it, and I joined in with the audience’s applause from my place backstage.

The show continued in this way, one model after the other, each getting their moment to show off. One of my favorite outfits came in the very middle, made entirely from neon fabric and accessories. Getting it to light up while still being wearable hadbeen a nightmare, but worth it. The model moved without any hindrance, and her glowing clothes left streaks of afterimage color, like she was painting the air with each wave of an arm or leg.

The audience’s applause died down in the lull between models, but it never really stopped. They were obviously enjoying the show as much as I was. What most people didn’t realize, however, was that every piece I’d designed was a direct comparison to an outfit fromMinestra,Caprice Vidales’s fashion line. The comparison wasn’t too apparent since I’d put my own artistic spin on everything. I didn’t want to be accused of plagiarism, after all.

Or even worse, labeled as “unoriginal”.

The comparison was subtle, obvious only if one knew to look for it. I’d worked hard to make sure that anythingMinestrawas known for,Fantaisistewould now be known for instead.

Only better.

The last piece of the show, the grand finale, wouldn’t make sense to anyone who didn’t know Las Vegas’s history, but it looked stunning, nonetheless. The model was draped in an oversized coat made entirely out of pastels and light green fabric. She looked like a spring goddess that had decided to walk among mortals.

Unlike the other models, she didn’t dance when she reached the center of the bridge. In fact, she barely moved at all.

After the expectations left by the previous displays, the audience fell silent as they waited to see what would happen.

When she was sure she had everyone’s attention, the model flipped her coat off her shoulders, so it turned inside out, revealing that it was actually a second dress. The new dress slid down around her, covering the soft pastel colors of the first dress with a new design of sharp metallics.

The model turned like a queen, graciously allowing the audience to gaze upon her altered appearance. As she moved, the metallic fabric occasionally parted enough to flash hints of the pastel colors beneath.

Absolutely stunning.

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