The Dress That Cost Them Everything

By: The Night Everyone Learned My Name

By six o'clock, the community arts center was packed.

six o'clock, the community arts center was packed.

Photographers crowded the entrance, guestsPhotographers crowded the entrance, guests filled the rows of folding chairs, and a long runway stretched across the stage beneath bright filled the rows of folding chairs, and a long runway stretched across the stage beneath bright white lights. A banner above the judges' table read *YOUNG FASHION TALENT SHOWCASE — CREATIVITY HAS white lights. A banner above the judges' table read YOUNG FASHION TALENT SHOWCASE — CREATIVITY HAS NO LIMITS*.

I stood backstage with Mrs. Alvarez, holding a garment bag that contained the repaired remains NO LIMITS**.

I stood backstage with Mrs. Alvarez, holding a garment bag that contained the repaired remains of my graduation gown.

The blue paint had destroyed much of the original satin. We had managed of my graduation gown.

The blue paint had destroyed much of the original satin. We had managed to salvage the bodice and several sections of the skirt, but the damage was too extensive to restore the to salvage the bodice and several sections of the skirt, but the damage was too extensive to restore the dress completely.

Mrs. Alvarez had spent the afternoon helping me create a new outer layer using dress completely.

Mrs. Alvarez had spent the afternoon helping me create a new outer layer using the matching fabric she had purchased. We preserved the original seams wherever possible, carefully the matching fabric she had purchased. We preserved the original seams wherever possible, carefully documented every repair, and photographed the process.

The result wasn't identical to documented every repair, and photographed the process.

The result wasn't identical to the gown I had imagined wearing across my graduation stage.

It was something different.

The white the gown I had imagined wearing across my graduation stage.

It was something different.

The white satin flowed over a second layer of translucent fabric, and the blue stains had been transformed into delicate embroidered shapes satin flowed over a second layer of translucent fabric, and the blue stains had been transformed into delicate embroidered shapes resembling flowers beneath water.

Mrs. Alvarez had suggested the idea.

I resembling flowers beneath water.

Mrs. Alvarez had suggested the idea.

I had done the stitching myself.

Every blue mark remained visible in some form, but had done the stitching myself.

Every blue mark remained visible in some form, but none of them looked like damage anymore.

They looked intentional.

“Stop pulling none of them looked like damage anymore.

They looked intentional.

“Stop pulling at the hem,” Mrs. Alvarez said gently.

I looked down.

“I keep thinking I should have finished at the hem,” Mrs. Alvarez said gently.

I looked down.

“I keep thinking I should have finished the original.””

“You finished what you could. Then you made something new.””

She the original.””

“You finished what you could. Then you made something new.””

She adjusted the shoulder seam.

“Remember what your mother taught adjusted the shoulder seam.

“Remember what your mother taught you. A mistake isn't the end unless you refuse to learn from it.””

I swallowed hard you. A mistake isn't the end unless you refuse to learn from it.””

I swallowed hard.

“What if the judges think I changed the design too much?””

“They know why you changed it..

“What if the judges think I changed the design too much?””

“They know why you changed it. And the craftsmanship is still yours.””

A stage assistant hurried past us carrying a clipboard.

“ And the craftsmanship is still yours.””

A stage assistant hurried past us carrying a clipboard.

“Miss Vale, you're next after the second contestant!””

Brianna emerged from the dressing room in aMiss Vale, you're next after the second contestant!””

Brianna emerged from the dressing room in a champagne-colored robe.

She looked immaculate.

Her hair fell in perfect waves, her makeup was flawless, and a champagne-colored robe.

She looked immaculate.

Her hair fell in perfect waves, her makeup was flawless, and a diamond necklace glittered against her throat.

When she saw me, her expression sharpen diamond necklace glittered against her throat.

When she saw me, her expression sharpened.

“You actually came.””

“Yes.””

She glanced at my garment bag.

“Is that your replacement dress?””

“Yesed.

“You actually came.””

“Yes.””

She glanced at my garment bag.

“Is that your replacement dress?””

“Yes.””

She laughed.

“Good luck. You'll need it.””

I studied her carefully.

“.””

She laughed.

“Good luck. You'll need it.””

I studied her carefully.

“Are you nervous?””

“Why would I be nervous?””

“Because the judges are asking questions about the gown.””

HerAre you nervous?””

“Why would I be nervous?””

“Because the judges are asking questions about the gown.””

Her smile faltered.

“Mom said everything is handled.””

“Then you have nothing to worry about.””

I smile faltered.

“Mom said everything is handled.””

“Then you have nothing to worry about.””

I walked past her.

Behind me, I heard her whisper, “You think you're so clever.””

I didn't turn walked past her.

Behind me, I heard her whisper, “You think you're so clever.””

I didn't turn around.

Five minutes later, Vanessa appeared backstage wearing a black evening dress and around.

Five minutes later, Vanessa appeared backstage wearing a black evening dress and carrying a designer handbag.

She immediately approached Brianna.

“Darling, you look incredible.””

carrying a designer handbag.

She immediately approached Brianna.

“Darling, you look incredible.””

Brianna hugged her.

“Do you think I'll win?””

“Of courseBrianna hugged her.

“Do you think I'll win?””

“Of course you will.””

Vanessa kissed her cheek, then looked at me.

Her smile disappeared you will.””

Vanessa kissed her cheek, then looked at me.

Her smile disappeared.

“What are you doing back here?””

“I'm a finalist.””

“You are not presenting that.

“What are you doing back here?””

“I'm a finalist.””

“You are not presenting that damaged dress.””

“The judges have approved my appearance.””

Her eyes narrowed.

“Who told damaged dress.””

“The judges have approved my appearance.””

Her eyes narrowed.

“Who told you that?””

“Eleanor Price.””

Vanessa's fingers tightened around her handbag.

“Listen to me, Nia. Whatever happens tonight, you you that?””

“Eleanor Price.””

Vanessa's fingers tightened around her handbag.

“Listen to me, Nia. Whatever happens tonight, you will not embarrass this family.””

I looked at the woman who had slapped me, destroyed will not embarrass this family.””

I looked at the woman who had slapped me, destroyed my dress, and threatened me for refusing to cooperate.

“You keep saying that,” I replied.

“ my dress, and threatened me for refusing to cooperate.

“You keep saying that,” I replied.

“But you never seem worried about embarrassing yourselves.””

Her face flushed.

“You ungrateful little—”

“LadiesBut you never seem worried about embarrassing yourselves.””

Her face flushed.

“You ungrateful little—”

“Ladies,” a stage assistant interrupted, “we're about to begin.””

Vanessa forced,” a stage assistant interrupted, “we're about to begin.””

Vanessa forced a smile.

“Good luck, Brianna.””

Then she leaned toward me.

“This isn't a smile.

“Good luck, Brianna.””

Then she leaned toward me.

“This isn't over.””

I met her gaze.

“No. It isn't.””

The lights dimmed.

Music filled the auditorium.

The host over.””

I met her gaze.

“No. It isn't.””

The lights dimmed.

Music filled the auditorium.

The host stepped onto the stage, welcomed the audience, and introduced the first contestants.

One by one, young designers presented stepped onto the stage, welcomed the audience, and introduced the first contestants.

One by one, young designers presented their work. There were flowing evening gowns, tailored suits, dramatic jackets, and dresses constructed from recycled materials.

their work. There were flowing evening gowns, tailored suits, dramatic jackets, and dresses constructed from recycled materials.

The audience applauded each presentation.

I stood in the wings, watching the judges.

EThe audience applauded each presentation.

I stood in the wings, watching the judges.

Eleanor Price sat at the center of the panel with two other evaluators. A thick folder lay in front of her.

Myleanor Price sat at the center of the panel with two other evaluators. A thick folder lay in front of her.

My folder.

I recognized the photographs sticking out from beneath the cover.

Then the host announced Brianna's name.

The folder.

I recognized the photographs sticking out from beneath the cover.

Then the host announced Brianna's name.

The audience applauded as she stepped onto the runway.

She wore my original gown.

The audience applauded as she stepped onto the runway.

She wore my original gown.

The blue paint had been partly concealed beneath a decorative white overlay, and the bodice had been altered to fit her. blue paint had been partly concealed beneath a decorative white overlay, and the bodice had been altered to fit her. From a distance, the damage was almost invisible.

Brianna moved confidently beneath the lights.

She turned From a distance, the damage was almost invisible.

Brianna moved confidently beneath the lights.

She turned at the end of the runway, lifted the skirt, and let the satin spread at the end of the runway, lifted the skirt, and let the satin spread around her like a pool of moonlight.

The audience responded with appreciative murmurs.

For one around her like a pool of moonlight.

The audience responded with appreciative murmurs.

For one painful second, I understood why she wanted to claim it.

The gown was painful second, I understood why she wanted to claim it.

The gown was beautiful.

My gown.

The dress I had designed while thinking beautiful.

My gown.

The dress I had designed while thinking of my mother.

The dress I had stitched together after long shifts at the alterations shop.

The dress that had carried every of my mother.

The dress I had stitched together after long shifts at the alterations shop.

The dress that had carried every private dream I had been too afraid to speak aloud.

Brianna returned to the center of the stage.

The host approached private dream I had been too afraid to speak aloud.

Brianna returned to the center of the stage.

The host approached her.

“Brianna, tell us about the inspiration behind your design.””

She smiled brightly.

“I her.

“Brianna, tell us about the inspiration behind your design.””

She smiled brightly.

“I wanted to create something that represented resilience and elegance. I spent weeks developing the silhouette, experimenting wanted to create something that represented resilience and elegance. I spent weeks developing the silhouette, experimenting with the fabric, and refining the details.””

My stomach tightened.

Weeks.

She hadn't even touched the dress until with the fabric, and refining the details.””

My stomach tightened.

Weeks.

She hadn't even touched the dress until it was nearly finished.

“What was the most challenging part?”” the host asked.

“The construction of it was nearly finished.

“What was the most challenging part?”” the host asked.

“The construction of the bodice,” Brianna replied.

“I wanted the seams to create a sculpt the bodice,” Brianna replied.

“I wanted the seams to create a sculpted shape without making the gown feel restrictive.””

One of the judges leaned toward hered shape without making the gown feel restrictive.””

One of the judges leaned toward her microphone.

“Did you construct the bodice yourself?””

Brianna hesitated.

“Yes.””

The judge microphone.

“Did you construct the bodice yourself?””

Brianna hesitated.

“Yes.””

The judge glanced at Eleanor.

“Can you explain the curved seam technique used beneath the shoulder?””

B glanced at Eleanor.

“Can you explain the curved seam technique used beneath the shoulder?””

Brianna's smile tightened.

“I developed it through trial and error.””

Eleanor openedrianna's smile tightened.

“I developed it through trial and error.””

Eleanor opened her folder.

“Interesting. We have photographs showing the same seam technique in a design submitted by another her folder.

“Interesting. We have photographs showing the same seam technique in a design submitted by another finalist several weeks before your announcement.””

The auditorium grew quieter.

Brianna blinked.

“I finalist several weeks before your announcement.””

The auditorium grew quieter.

Brianna blinked.

“I don't know what you're talking about.””

Eleanor held up a photograph.

It showed my don't know what you're talking about.””

Eleanor held up a photograph.

It showed my unfinished gown on the garment rack in my bedroom. The bodice was clearly visible, including the distinctive unfinished gown on the garment rack in my bedroom. The bodice was clearly visible, including the distinctive curved seams.

“This photograph was submitted with Nia Carter's original application. The timestamp predates your public announcement.””

Brianna's curved seams.

“This photograph was submitted with Nia Carter's original application. The timestamp predates your public announcement.””

Brianna's face lost color.

“That doesn't prove anything.””

“No,” Eleanor replied calmly.

“Which is why we have invited both designers to provide face lost color.

“That doesn't prove anything.””

“No,” Eleanor replied calmly.

“Which is why we have invited both designers to provide evidence.””

Brianna looked toward the audience.

Vanessa was standing near the front row, shaking her head furiously.

The evidence.””

Brianna looked toward the audience.

Vanessa was standing near the front row, shaking her head furiously.

The judge continued.

“Brianna, your application lists Marcus Carter as the owner of the underlying design. Can judge continued.

“Brianna, your application lists Marcus Carter as the owner of the underlying design. Can you explain his role in creating the gown?””

Brianna swallowed.

“My father helped you explain his role in creating the gown?””

Brianna swallowed.

“My father helped me with the business side.””

“Did he design the garment?””

“He helped with the concept.””

Eleanor turned another me with the business side.””

“Did he design the garment?””

“He helped with the concept.””

Eleanor turned another page.

“Did he purchase the fabric?””

“Yes.””

I felt my fingers tighten page.

“Did he purchase the fabric?””

“Yes.””

I felt my fingers tighten around the garment bag.

That was a lie.

I had every receipt.

Every bank transaction.

Every photograph around the garment bag.

That was a lie.

I had every receipt.

Every bank transaction.

Every photograph of the fabric before it had been cut.

The judge looked directly at Brianna.

“Do you have any records showing that you of the fabric before it had been cut.

The judge looked directly at Brianna.

“Do you have any records showing that you created the original design?””

Brianna glanced toward Vanessa again.

Then she said, “My mother created the original design?””

Brianna glanced toward Vanessa again.

Then she said, “My mother has the documents.””

Eleanor nodded.

“We have reviewed those documents.””

A has the documents.””

Eleanor nodded.

“We have reviewed those documents.””

A murmur passed through the audience.

Brianna's confidence began to crack.

“Then you murmur passed through the audience.

Brianna's confidence began to crack.

“Then you know the dress belongs to us.””

Eleanor closed the folder.

“That is precisely what we are know the dress belongs to us.””

Eleanor closed the folder.

“That is precisely what we are here to determine.””

The host looked uncertainly toward the stage manager.

The audience fell here to determine.””

The host looked uncertainly toward the stage manager.

The audience fell silent.

Then Eleanor turned toward the wings.

“Miss Carter, would you please join us?””

My heart hammered against silent.

Then Eleanor turned toward the wings.

“Miss Carter, would you please join us?””

My heart hammered against my ribs.

Mrs. Alvarez squeezed my hand.

“Go show them what you made.””

I stepped onto the stage.

The lights were my ribs.

Mrs. Alvarez squeezed my hand.

“Go show them what you made.””

I stepped onto the stage.

The lights were so bright that the audience became a blur of faces.

Bri so bright that the audience became a blur of faces.

Brianna stared at me as if I had appeared out of nowhere.

Ianna stared at me as if I had appeared out of nowhere.

I stood beside the judges.

“Good evening,” Eleanor said.

“Please introduce yourself and explain your connection to the disputed gown.””

“My name is Nia Carter. I designed and constructed the original gown. I paid for the materials stood beside the judges.

“Good evening,” Eleanor said.

“Please introduce yourself and explain your connection to the disputed gown.””

“My name is Nia Carter. I designed and constructed the original gown. I paid for the materials with money I earned working at an alterations shop, and I submitted the design to the Rising Star Young Designers Showcase with money I earned working at an alterations shop, and I submitted the design to the Rising Star Young Designers Showcase before the garment was announced publicly.””

I handed Eleanor my folder.

It contained the original sketches before the garment was announced publicly.””

I handed Eleanor my folder.

It contained the original sketches, receipts, construction photographs, and copies of my competition correspondence.

She distributed, receipts, construction photographs, and copies of my competition correspondence.

She distributed the documents among the judges.

“Can you explain why your design differs from the garment currently being presented?””

“ the documents among the judges.

“Can you explain why your design differs from the garment currently being presented?””

“Because my original gown was damaged with blue paint three days before graduation. I repaired whatBecause my original gown was damaged with blue paint three days before graduation. I repaired what I could and transformed the damaged sections into a new design.””

I unzipped the garment bag.

The repaired gown caught I could and transformed the damaged sections into a new design.””

I unzipped the garment bag.

The repaired gown caught the light.

The embroidered blue flowers shimmered against the white satin.

A soft mur the light.

The embroidered blue flowers shimmered against the white satin.

A soft murmur rose from the audience.

Eleanor examined the garment.

“Did you make these alterations yourself?””

mur rose from the audience.

Eleanor examined the garment.

“Did you make these alterations yourself?””

“Yes, with advice from my sewing mentor, Mrs. Alvarez. I completed“Yes, with advice from my sewing mentor, Mrs.

Alvarez. I completed the stitching and documented the repairs.””

The judge nodded.

“Why did you preserve the blue marks?””

the stitching and documented the repairs.””

The judge nodded.

“Why did you preserve the blue marks?””

I looked down at the dress.

“Because I didn't want what happened to it to be the end of its story.””

For the first time that evening, the audience applaI looked down at the dress.

“Because I didn't want what happened to it to be the end of its story.””

For the first time that evening, the audience applauded without being prompted.

I felt tears prick my eyes.

Eleanor waited foruded without being prompted.

I felt tears prick my eyes.

Eleanor waited for the applause to fade.

“Thank you, Nia. We have one final question.””

She looked toward the the applause to fade.

“Thank you, Nia. We have one final question.””

She looked toward the judges' table.

“Your father submitted a separate ownership claim for the original design. Did you authorize that judges' table.

“Your father submitted a separate ownership claim for the original design. Did you authorize that submission?””

“No.””

“Did you sign any document transferring your design rights to him?””

“No.””

“Did you give your stepsister permission to submission?””

“No.””

“Did you sign any document transferring your design rights to him?””

“No.””

“Did you give your stepsister permission to present the gown as her own?””

“No.””

Brianna stepped forward.

“She's lying!””

The host moved between present the gown as her own?””

“No.””

Brianna stepped forward.

“She's lying!””

The host moved between us.

“Miss Vale, please.””

Brianna ignored him.

“She has always been jealous of me! She us.

“Miss Vale, please.””

Brianna ignored him.

“She has always been jealous of me! She wants to ruin everything because she can't stand that I'm wants to ruin everything because she can't stand that I'm finally getting attention!””

I looked at her.

“You could have asked me to help you make your own finally getting attention!””

I looked at her.

“You could have asked me to help you make your own dress.””

“Shut up!””

“You could have learned how to sew. You could have designed dress.””

“Shut up!””

“You could have learned how to sew. You could have designed something yourself.””

Brianna's face twisted.

“I didn't want to wear something ugly something yourself.””

Brianna's face twisted.

“I didn't want to wear something ugly!””

The words echoed through the auditorium.

Then she realized what she had said.

The audience!””

The words echoed through the auditorium.

Then she realized what she had said.

The audience went completely silent.

I stared at her.

“You thought my work went completely silent.

I stared at her.

“You thought my work was ugly until you wanted to win with it.””

Her mouth opened.

No words was ugly until you wanted to win with it.””

Her mouth opened.

No words came out.

Eleanor raised her hand.

“That will be enough. The committee will review the evidence before making came out.

Eleanor raised her hand.

“That will be enough. The committee will review the evidence before making a final determination.””

Brianna turned and hurried offstage.

Vanessa followed her.

But a final determination.””

Brianna turned and hurried offstage.

Vanessa followed her.

But as they disappeared behind the curtains, a man in a dark suit approached the judges' as they disappeared behind the curtains, a man in a dark suit approached the judges' table and handed Eleanor a sealed envelope.

I recognized him.

Daniel Whitmore.

My mother's attorney.

Eleanor opened the table and handed Eleanor a sealed envelope.

I recognized him.

Daniel Whitmore.

My mother's attorney.

Eleanor opened the envelope, read the first page, and looked toward me.

Then she turned to the audience.

“Before envelope, read the first page, and looked toward me.

Then she turned to the audience.

“Before we continue, there is a matter of documentation that requires immediate attention.””

The room fell silent.

“The committee has received certified we continue, there is a matter of documentation that requires immediate attention.””

The room fell silent.

“The committee has received certified records concerning the ownership of the disputed design and the source of the funds used in a related records concerning the ownership of the disputed design and the source of the funds used in a related business submission.””

She paused.

“These records raise business submission.””

She paused.

“These records raise questions that extend beyond this competition.””

In the front row, Vanessa went rigid.

And when Eleanor read the name on questions that extend beyond this competition.””

In the front row, Vanessa went rigid.

And when Eleanor read the name on the first page, my stepmother stood so abruptly that her handbag fell to the floor.

Because the first page, my stepmother stood so abruptly that her handbag fell to the floor.

Because the document did not simply challenge Brianna's claim.

It identified the person who had the document did not simply challenge Brianna's claim.

It identified the person who had authorized the transfer of my mother's money.