#65. Process (2)
A stylishly dressed woman walked in, unable to hide her nervousness.
Behind her came three women carrying large luggage.
“I am Zoya, a tailor. It is an honor to be able to make the lady’s clothes here at Bellicordo Castle.”
Zoya bowed deeply.
Her assistants also bowed politely.
“An honor to meet you!”
“Nice to meet you,” Sasha replied softly.
“I’ve heard you’re skilled. This is an important event to greet people for the first time, so please be meticulous.”
“Of course. We will put all our effort into making the outfits you want.”
Zoya was a famous tailor recently known across the north.
She had gained some fame and wealth and met many noblewomen, making her a bit proud.
But Sasha was different from other noblewomen she had met.
Was it because Sasha was from the ruling Volkoff Duke family?
“She’s only been an adult a few years, but has such spirit and grace. Amazing.”
Zoya admired Sasha quietly but soon got down to work.
“May I take your measurements first?”
Sasha smiled and stood up.
Zoya quickly took her measuring tape and approached.
“Your waist is slender and limbs long, so any design will suit you.”
Zoya admired Sasha’s skin too.
“Your skin is pale like snow, so any color will look good.”
“The dress can have a fancy pattern; your beauty won’t be hidden.”
Her assistants arranged rolls of fabric and agreed.
Sasha smiled quietly.
Zoya noticed the guest liked quick work without fuss.
Zoya quickly showed Sasha a catalog.
“These are popular designs these days. Do you like any?”
“Wait. I want to see more.”
Sasha carefully browsed but found nothing she liked.
She especially disliked the trendy big skirts with stiff padding.
She hated tight corsets and bulky panniers.
If the skirt only puffed moderately, she’d follow the trend.
But…
“This is too much. It looks like carrying a dresser inside.”
The large rectangular basket-like shape under the skirt was childish and ugly.
It made movement difficult.
Not only going up and down stairs but even sitting was almost impossible.
And the hats—
Tall like spires and decorated with feathers, flowers, and jewels made Sasha dizzy.
‘At least everyday clothes are okay, but party dresses are all like this.’
Sasha frowned at the catalog.
“Don’t you like anything?”
“Do you have a pen and blank paper?”
“Yes, of course.”
Sasha took the pen and quickly sketched.
The pen moved fast but soon stopped.
On the white paper was a drawing.
“Oh…”
Zoya lost words seeing it.
Though Sasha’s posture was very professional—
“Did I draw it badly?”
Sasha murmured.
Zoya shook her head quickly.
“No, it’s good!”
Though the lines were messy and clumsy, it showed the idea.
“You drew a dress? Is this the design you want?”
“Yes, exactly this.”
Sasha pointed to her sketch.
Though she wasn’t a fashion designer in her past life, she wasn’t clueless.
She drew a few more slightly bold designs.
They fit her current look and body well.
Imagining wearing them made her happy.
Zoya felt the same.
“Unique design I haven’t seen, but it will highlight your best points and show a fresh charm.”
She spoke excitedly.
“The natural silhouette showing the female form with a wide skirt…”
Then she asked,
“May I make this?”
Her bright eyes shone with eagerness.
Sasha smiled softly.
“Of course, I hope you do.”
She liked Zoya’s enthusiasm.
‘I’m glad I invited her.’
Many tailors had better skill or fame.
But Sasha purposely didn’t call them.
Those set in their ways would resist her ideas.
So she chose a young tailor less stuck in tradition and more open.
‘Good choice.’
She liked that Zoya followed her requests without argument.
Sasha was pleased watching Zoya tuck away the sketch.
“I will make the dress to match your design.”
Zoya planned the schedule.
“Do you want a special design for the man’s party clothes?”
“What do you mean?”
Zoya asked curiously.
“The Grand Duke said he leaves all decisions to you.”
“To me?”
“Yes.”
“He doesn’t pick himself?”
“No, he said only the lady’s choice matters.”
Zoya smiled and clapped her hands.
“Oh! There was one request.”
“What is it?”
Sasha asked curiously.
Zoya thought and said slowly,
“He said the couple’s clothes should look like a perfect pair when standing together.”
Her voice warmed with the thought.
Sasha, feeling moved by Pavel’s sweet heart, said,
“I have no special design in mind. Can I see the catalog?”
“Of course.”
Sasha browsed.
Men’s party clothes hadn’t changed much over centuries and didn’t offend her eye.
“This one is my favorite. Please adjust it so it matches my dress well, as Pavel requested.”
“I will.”
Zoya drew over the chosen design.
Her strokes made the plain design look stylish even to Sasha.
“Very good.”
Sasha genuinely admired.
This tailor had great sense.
“Hehe. I will prepare and return soon.”
“Good. Please.”
Sasha gave more instructions.
“Make Pavel’s clothes from soft fabric, not rough or stiff. And make the pants a bit longer than his measurements.”
“Understood.”
“And about my dress fabric…”
Sasha thought a moment.
“This color might be hard with current dyeing techniques, so…”
She shared dyeing techniques from her past life.
Also, how to find dyes that make beautiful and vivid colors on any fabric.
“Is it okay to tell me this?”
Zoya’s eyes grew as big as pearls.
Such knowledge was priceless.
“Of course.”
Sasha nodded kindly.
“You just focus on making the perfect dress on time.”
“Yes, yes! I will!”
Sasha handed over a heavy pouch of gold coins.
“This is the deposit.”
“I will wait for your visit.”
Zoya answered with a touched voice.
Making clothes for the famous Duke family was already an honor, but to get gold and priceless knowledge was rare luck.
She bowed deeply to Sasha then hurried out.
There wasn’t enough time to finish the dress before the ball.
Visitors didn’t stop there.
“Madam Troyban is here.”
The reception door opened and an old lady in a purple dress came in.
She was thin with white hair and many wrinkles.
She greeted Sasha with perfect posture.
“It is an honor to meet you, my lady.”
Her elegant manner was a model of etiquette.
Sasha thought she truly was the social queen.
“Hello, madam. Thank you for accepting my sudden invitation.”
Sasha’s polite greeting made Madam Troyban raise her eyebrows slightly.
