Volume 7 Chapter 8-2 It's Easy to Forget the Simple Things
"Hey brat, what's up with the lady's tea party?"
The dissatisfied duo opened their mouths,
"Did you do something?"
"Randolph, it's been a while."
The mothers spoke up too. But just like with Alan, and even with Mother Grace, the notion that 'Randy's return = he's done something' seemed to be firmly established, causing Randy to frown in distaste.
Nonetheless, he recomposed his face in an instant, first bowing his head towards Flora.
"Lady Flora, I apologize for the intrusion."
Flora, with a playful tap, raised her hand and said "You're intruding," as Randy bowed. Liz and Ellie, who had entered the room after Randy, also exchanged greetings with Flora and the others.
Grace prompted Liz and Ellie towards Lucius, forming a complete girls' gathering, but Randy still stood near the entrance, as if a child scolded for mischief was being made to stand.
"Now then, Randolph. What have you... I mean, what are you planning to do this time?"
"Mother... and Old hag, please trust your son a little."
Grace sighed back at the sighing Randy, "Ask your own heart." Randy, realizing it was futile to argue further, stepped back as Madame laughed out loud.
"You've got a good one there. Is controlling the boy as simple as asking Lady Grace?"
Randy scowled and muttered, "Shut up, old hag."
"Don't call me 'hag'. You're still as disrespectful as ever, brat."
Madame wrinkled her nose, but quickly shifted her feet, elbowing Randy with a sly grin.
"So? What's your reason for bursting into Lady's tea party?"
Under Madame's probing gaze, Randy pondered, "Right." He considered explaining from the start, but figured seeing once is worth more than hearing a hundred times, and he alternated glances between Madame and Clarice.
"Old hag, Clarice, skip the chit-chat. How far along are the ready-made designs I asked for?"
Randy's idea of ready-made products refers to items sold by Verinea... or rather, Victor, which is launching a new clothing merchant guild (apparel brand). Of course, promoting the guild is part of it, but without products to sell, the guild wouldn't really exist.
So, Randy had already asked the two of them to each design some ready-made clothes. Usually, Clarice creates the designs, with Madame giving light suggestions. These are prototypes based on those designs, but...
"Yeah..."
"Approximately 80% of the progress as planned, I think."
The two looked at each other and answered Randy. Which items and how many... that's another matter, but for now, about 80% of the lineup needed for the launch is ready.
"Eighty percent. Got it, impressive."
Randy, murmuring, asked Madame to show him the finished prototypes. Neither Madame nor Clarice questioned showing designs to someone not an expert──Randy had some idea of what he was doing, so Madame, arm deep in her beloved sewing box──a magic bag, really──started pulling out some prototypes.
A dress.
A shirt.
A T-shirt.
A skirt.
Pants.
These are common clothes civilians wear, but as expected from Madame and Clarice, simple but refined designs──some so nice they wouldn't look out of place among the upper class.
Actually, that's the point. These are designed so that even the upper class can casually enjoy ready-made fashion.
From commoners to nobles. Though the lineup isn't large, Randy carefully picked prototypes, saying, "This one... and the rest──" with a serious look.
Watching intently, after Randy finished choosing, he handed Liz and Ellie a slightly different dress. It's a signature piece, with a focus on line and fabric, aimed at nobles.
Seeing this, it seems Randy has a good eye──Madame and Clarice both exclaimed, pleased, "Wow."
"Do you think you could wear this?"
Randy handed black and white dresses to Liz and Ellie, respectively.
"Uh... okay?"
"What's this? A dress-up game with us?"
At Ellie's words, Randy laughed, "Well, kinda." The tea party atmosphere shifted instantly, and everyone shot him dagger looks.
"Oh dear."
"Randolph..."
Under Flora and Grace's disapproving glares, Randy shrugged awkwardly.
"Just a figure of speech. What we're doing is more like a photoshoot."
"Photoshoot?"
Clarice tilted her head, and Randy explained the purpose of the shoot.
"It's simple. If you're promoting something, you need to show the product clearly."
He turned to Liz and Ellie, who held the dresses with puzzled expressions.
"So, you're taking photos of us wearing these?"
"Yeah. And then we'll put them together..."
Randy trailed off, unable to articulate his vision clearly. After all, what they were creating didn't exist in this world yet.
"I want it to be like a fashion magazine."
He called it a fashion magazine, but since it featured only one brand, it was more like a lookbook or pamphlet. Of course, creating it was pointless unless it was placed in the right locations, but for now, making the lookbook was the top priority.
"Anyway, change into these and come up to the hall."
Confidently, Randy asked Grace and the others to join as well, emphasizing the request before leaving. He had his own preparations to make.
And so, the creation of the world's first fashion magazine began with just a handful of people.
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