[La Traviata] The Road to Celebrities in Paris

Marguerite's talent has been implicitly acknowledged since the voice of Parisian fashion, the Duchess of Odeille.

From the original scene where only socialites and a few bureaucratic wives patronized, now, some wealthy and powerful ladies have begun to come to Margaret to order clothes calmly.

Margaret was not quick to take orders, and she knew that the longer she kept these women waiting, the more she would show her worth.

During the period, Divilnova came, and she urged Marguerite to get rid of that bad temper.

"You make the first one, and then let some people make more copies, so you can make multiple times the money!"

Margaret rejected the proposal, and she insisted on making tailor-made clothing. Although the income was reduced, the income was not what she wanted at all now.

Margaret knows that it takes a lot of time and experience to operate a brand. Her current status makes it impossible for her to look at money. She has her own high-end.

"Marguerite Gautier, this brand should be revered, not some cheap whore," she thought.

When Nanin, Eric, and Julie were called in, everyone was a little confused.Lady Margaret rarely called them all.

"Ma'am, what can you do?" Julie asked.

Margaret blinked: "I think, I have to find a logo for the clothes I make."

"It's like nobles like to embroider their family names on their handkerchiefs?" Naning asked.

Margaret nodded and said, "Maybe we can call it a brand."

"Brand?" Eric asked.

"It's like a mark. When you see this brand, you know where it comes from."

"It's great!" Naning said, "I hope everyone will wear clothes made by Madam in the future." The little girl smiled innocently, as if she had seen that scene.

Margaret rubbed the other's hair, and she smiled.

"So I need everyone's help to think together."

Naning's eyes lit up. She never knew that she could help Madam in making clothes. She thought that her greatest role was serving tea and snacks.She looked so solemn, as if she had been endowed with a sense of mission.

The same is true for Julie, but she is an adult after all, and she clearly feels a deeper meaning from Madam's words.

Madam let them participate in her world because she accepted them in her heart.

The older woman's eyes were a little moist because of this, and she said that she would come up with a good idea.

They worked on Margaret's first and last name first, but nothing satisfactory.Julie also mentioned Margaret's original name, which was even more rustic, and it was only then that Margaret knew that the original owner of this body was originally a daughter from a farm in the country, with a name that was not special enough and rustic. But she has a pretty face that doesn't belong in the country.

In the end, Eric, who had been silent all this time, suddenly said:

"Why not use it?"

Margaret followed Eric's fingers and saw some white camellias were inserted in the white-glazed painted thin-neck vase. Layers of petals were in full bloom. Among the dark green leaves, they poked their heads out proudly. Showing its own figure, compared with the gorgeous red, the restrained white makes it look noble and elegant.

"Isn't it good enough?" Eric said, half leaning against the edge of the table, fingering the petals.

Margaret looked at the boy, looked into his blue eyes, and smiled slightly: "Nature is good enough."

The boy laughed too, revealing the dimples on his cheeks.

Afterwards, women in Paris began to discover that in their custom-made garments, a unique logo of Marguerite Gautier’s garments—white camellias—was embroidered on the back of the garments.

Women in Paris began to be complacent about owning a ready-to-wear made by La Traviata, because it is unique, every design is tailor-made, and every appearance is a personal beauty.

However, no matter how much women pursue Marguerite's tailor-made clothes, men still dismiss her.

See, no matter how well you do, you will always be a whore in the eyes of others, but now, I have to add an honorable adjective-lucky whore.

That was two weeks after the engagement ceremony.

A drunk broke into Margaret's house. Although Margaret didn't suffer any insult later, what the man said still hurt her heart.

"Nobody cares about a whore, the world is the men talking!"

Yes, this point cannot be ignored, men hold the final say.

Even if women are chasing after her ready-to-wear designs, no one has ever looked up to her, but men are different. Gaining their approval is what makes you truly stand out among the crowd.

but……

Margaret tightened her paintbrush, she knew that this was almost impossible, those noble men never approved the ready-to-wear she designed now, because they were all women's clothing.

The nobles had their own private tailors.

There are no women here.

They never allow women to design clothes for them, because they look down on women from the bottom of their hearts, although they can survive in this world, the first thing they want to thank is women.

Margaret stood up from the soft chair, and she walked to the window, forcing herself to calm down.

She has to stay sane.

Nothing in this world is unshakable.

Margaret began to analyze what she had now.

Now, in addition to her hands, she still has a savings, and her popularity has already started on the women's side. If she rashly recommends herself to make clothes for those men, I'm afraid she will be ridiculed and insulted. in praise.

"I need some male models," thought Margaret.

It is impossible for her to invite powerful people. She can only spend a sum of money to find some poor people. For the sake of money, there will always be someone who is willing to accept the job.

Margaret took out all her money, including some jewelry that could be sold.She calculated the approximate amount of money she had, and then asked Uncle Ramadon to do it.

Money is a good thing, and for the poor, they are the bread on which they live.

Margaret now has the list in her hand, and she asks these people to come over the next day, and she will pay them according to the value each person can bring to her.

There are many people who sign up, but not many can be models.

People who are overweight are not suitable, and those who are too short are not beautiful enough. In the end, Margaret only left nine people, and she chose a tall and thin man as the finale. That man has some German blood , judging from his narrow but square face, he has a unique temperament.

It is said that Hector's ancestor is de Grillante, a descendant of nobles, but it is no longer enough in his grandfather's generation.

Aristocrats without money naturally cannot support their appearance. After the land is sold, this hypocritical glory will no longer exist. Later, even people will no longer call them Master de Grillante, but call them Grace. Ribert.

"Are you sure you want to stay and be my model?" Margaret asked.

The tall and thin young man blushed a little, and he murmured, "I need money, ma'am."

"Money is not a problem," Margaret paused, "I just want you to think clearly, after all, my identity."

Hector gritted his teeth: "I've figured it out, madam."

"Well, you won't be disappointed with the reward," said Marguerite, and indeed she gave almost all the money she had.

Margaret carefully observed the nine men and drew some sketches. She asked them to come every day for the next week, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Margaret had to design a series of clothes .

After she made a decision, someone came to visit Margaret's cabin in the evening.

"It's been a long time since I saw you." Julie let the young man in front of her come in. She said in a complaining tone, but anyone with a discerning eye knew that she liked Gaston.

"I just went back to my hometown. You know, the old man is always a little grumpy."

"It's not a wise thing to speak ill of an old man in front of me, an old man," Julie said.

Gaston kissed Julie on the cheek and said with a smile: "You are not old, dear Julie, you look like a little girl!"

Julie was amused, Gaston was unquestionably a likable fellow, with a pretty face and a sweet little mouth, who wouldn't love this young man?

Julie asked Gaston to wait in the hall for a while, and she went to call Mrs. Margaret down. Not long after, when Gaston was leisurely licking the biscuit crumbs on his fingers, the black-haired woman came down.

"It seems that Naning's craftsmanship has improved again." Margaret made fun of Gaston's little gesture, and the latter raised his eyebrows. "Then you have to give her a raise."

"She would prefer that I give her more strawberry shortcake." Margaret's words made the young man laugh.

After Margaret sat down, Gaston straightened the hem of his clothes and said, "I think out of courtesy, I have to tell you that I went back to my hometown some time ago."

Margaret was a little surprised by this, but she had to say that Gaston's approach made her very comfortable.

"You could have not explained all this to me, but I must say, I am very glad to have this explanation and respect, I have gone to you, because you have not shown up for so long, but then listened to your servant's reply , I think, I don’t need to worry too much.”

Marguerite's honesty made the young man's eyes bend.

"I'm deeply honored by that, too." He didn't expect the people in front of him to care about his whereabouts, and he didn't hold out hope, so sometimes it's more pleasant to get some unexpected good things.

"Although you are not in Paris, I think you should know all about this period of time."

"Naturally." Gaston said, his eyes looked at Margaret, he was always a little careless and teasing, but now he showed a satisfied expression.

"So I rushed to your side as soon as I came back, but obviously, I was too worried."

Margaret understood the man, for which she was grateful, and, smiling, said: "You treat me like a true friend, which I would never define as concern or need. "

The man grinned, his eyes were bent, and the black pupils became smaller, but they always looked like gems soaked in a layer of water.The handsome young man hooked his lips and said, "Then what are you going to do next?"

"Shouldn't I suspect that you have arranged some eyeliner around me?" Margaret asked with a smile.

Gaston shrugged his shoulders and said mysteriously: "Maybe, maybe your little girl has chosen to rebel because she was upside down for me."

"I won't!" A delicate voice sounded, Naning was still holding a plate of pastries, she expressed her position and then looked at Margaret.

"I'm on your side." Naning said seriously, and then looked at Gaston again, her face was slightly red.

"Even if you are indeed a beautiful person, I will never betray you."

Both Margaret and Gaston laughed. Margaret pulled Nanin over, put the things in her hand on the coffee table, and kissed the little girl on the cheek.

Naning smiled. Although she didn't understand what Madam and Mr. Garrel were talking about, she knew that Madam was very happy now, and in this way, she felt happy.

"Don't you guys try it?" Naning pointed to the pastry on the plate.

"I added grapes and red beans."

Both Margaret and Gaston took a piece out of their hands. They tasted it, and it tasted really good, but Margaret couldn't eat it after eating three pieces, while Nanin was still watching eagerly. with.

"I..." Margaret opened her mouth, but Gaston interrupted her with a gesture.

"Don't argue with me, ma'am, I'm very hungry now, you can give me such a delicious food first today." He said and moved the plate to his side, eating with great enjoyment.

"You are a guest, so I will give it to you naturally." Margaret said, Naning said that next time she would definitely make enough portions, Margaret smiled and agreed, but she was thinking in her heart that she must remind her next time Nanin, at least don't make two dim sums at once, or perhaps reduce the portions a little.

Naning happily went to the kitchen with the empty plate. After the little girl left, Margaret looked at the young man on the sofa, who looked as if he was about to die.

"You don't need to push yourself so hard." Margaret couldn't bear it. She found that Eric was far from the last person "persecuted" by Naning's kindness and enthusiasm.

"I ate what she made, but she was so happy. This is really a good deal, and I didn't pay anything." Gaston said with a smile.

"Who said you didn't give anything, you made her feel happy, and the fruits of your labor were recognized, which can't be bought with a lot of money." Margaret said.

The young man looked at her, rubbed his belly and laughed.

"I just haven't had food like this in a while."

Just as Margaret was about to speak, the young man waved his hand suddenly, then licked his lower lip and said, "Tell me what you think, now, this is more important."

Gaston successfully changed the subject.

"I want to design some men's clothing." Margaret said cautiously.

It wasn't the first time Gaston had heard the word design from Margaret, and he now knew what it meant.

"Male clothes?" he repeated.

Margaret's heart sank, because from the tone of Gaston's tone, he was not as casual and meaningless as before.

"You don't think so?" Margaret asked in a low voice.

The man's hands folded on his knees, thumbs rubbed against each other, showing that he is deliberating.

"It's not that if I think it can be done, it can be done, and if it can't be done, it can't be done."

Gaston looked up at the woman in front of him, and said in a low voice, "You should think about it, designing clothes for women is completely different from designing clothes for men."

"Yes, of course I have considered it."

"No, I mean..." Gaston didn't continue, his eyes looked at Margaret, and the latter only nodded slightly afterwards.

"Of course I've thought about it too."

The young man pursed his lower lip and asked, "What do you want to do?"

He thought so quickly, and his attitude was so clear, Margaret couldn't help smiling, but soon, she restrained her expression and spoke seriously.

"I want to hire a bunch of men to model ready-to-wear, and I want it to be a little bit different than last time, where I tried to make it look like it wasn't a show because I never had any guarantees back then, but, Marguerite paused for a moment, as if it was difficult for her to recall the name, but in the end she said, "The words of the Duchess Odeje have given me assurance, and I don't need to worry so much anymore."

When she finished speaking, her lips were already pursed.

"Now, I have found nine people."

"I think you paid a lot of money."

"Indeed, I have completely become a poor person now." Margaret said, Gaston pouted his lower lip, and looked at Margaret with a smile.

"You have no money, I'll take care of you." He blinked his eyes after he finished speaking, "It's not easy, I've never taken care of anyone seriously!"

Margaret froze for a moment, she looked at each other.

The expression on Gaston's face was somewhere between a joke and a seriousness. He was unpredictable, as he always was, but Margaret thought he was not the kind of person who had no brains.

Margaret lowered her eyes and thought for a while, then looked up at the other party, and said calmly: "I have seriously considered your suggestion, and I have already considered whether your money for a year is enough for me to squander, um, Gaston Sir, let me ask you seriously, what percentage of your allowance do you plan to use to support me?"

The black-haired young man suddenly restrained his playfulness, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

"I think, if you need it, it will be one hundred per cent. But I think you will never need it for the time being."

"Are you testing me, sir." Margaret asked with a smile.

"I always need to buy myself peace of mind. Although I am useless, I am not a fool." Gaston raised his eyebrows and said, what he said was a bit meaningless and casual, but Margaret clearly felt the other party's feelings manner.

"After all, sometimes I have to take some responsibility for my surname, don't I?" The young man said in a joking tone, but Margaret felt the weight of it.

"You don't have to do that," said Margaret softly.

"I'm just doing what I think is fun and interesting, just like you, ma'am, life is too boring and easy sometimes, we have to find some fun for ourselves, otherwise those old-fashioned people will really think that the moon is actually Fang of."

"Are you going to rebel against the world with me?" Margaret pointed out with a smile.

Gaston showed an ugly expression and complained: "Why do you use such terrible words, we are just playing a game."

Margaret was amused.

Gaston clicked his tongue twice: "I think if you maintain the current state, you won't make that gentleman so proud that day."

Marguerite's laughter died away when she heard this.

The black-haired young man leaned on the back of the sofa, resting his cheek on one hand, and looked up at Margaret.

"That conceited gentleman must have had nothing nice to say to you."

Margaret licked the hair on her cheeks, she smiled and said: "It's useless for him to say anything to me. Instead of wasting each other's time, wouldn't it be better to use the most direct way?"

Gaston pouted his lips: "I've never seen anything like this, he seems like a good man."

Margaret did not speak, she understood Gaston's meaning.

Gaston stood up, moved his hands and feet, then licked his lips and said, "Leave the rest to me."

Margaret looked at each other, and the black-haired young man took another piece of biscuit, and then sighed happily, his bright eyes looked at Margaret, and said sadly: " I think I have to go, it's a pity I don't get to enjoy Julie's craft."

Margaret laughed, she sent Gaston out, the young man walked a short distance and suddenly raised his hand and waved, then turned around and winked at Margaret.

"Next time, maybe I'll have the honor of trying Julie's fine craft?"

Margaret showed a happy smile: "Of course!"

Margaret's design went smoothly. She has long been displeased with the tight pants that men like to wear. Even if some men wear loose trousers, they will be tucked up at the hem on purpose, showing that kind of tight pants. Pointed leather shoes with steel balls.

It would be fine if it was a person with a beautiful figure, but most French men have a big belly, and the calf of a middle-aged man is as thick as an elephant's foot. Margaret really can't appreciate this kind of aesthetics.

She had wanted to do something big for a long time, but she had been worrying about it before. Now, she decided to leave everything behind for the time being and just do something she wanted to do.

Margaret used those flannel trousers for the British style that will be very popular in the future. The brown or green plaid trousers are slightly narrowed, but more of them are black fabrics with stiff and smooth lines. , the trousers are wide, and the strength and lines of the male legs can be clearly seen when walking.

Regarding bow ties, Margaret kept some nice ones on hand, but she also got them out.

For an outfit with checked trousers, on the bow tie side, Margaret leaned towards a maroon, or, alternatively, a silk tie in a tonal unlined but smooth texture.

The top hats made of velvet were reduced by Margaret. They are more for decoration and will not cover most of the forehead. Models can use their hair as a middle part.

For Hector Gribert's dress, Marguerite used a somewhat avant-garde blazer.A black wide-swing suit jacket with a navy blue silk shirt inside. The bright color and luster of the silk itself will make up for the richness of navy blue and black. In order to match Hector’s own temperament, the buttons are made higher to cover the throat. Location.

Hector Gribert was a slender young man, and Marguerite couldn't think of anything more suitable for him than a suit.

The buttons were round pearls, and Margaret sewed each button, for that young man of German blood, pearls suited him best.

Margaret smiled as she looked at the finished product in front of her. She was full of confidence. She believed that she would be able to change some things. Yes, she believed so firmly.

A week later, Marguerite Gautier circled a place in a busy area of ​​Paris, and she declared that this time she was not going to show the dresses of the lady, but the dresses of the men.

"what is she doing!"

"Is she crazy?"

"That Marguerite Gautier!"

"..."

People were so questioning and whispering, Margaret's behavior alarmed many people, including those in the Duke's mansion.

"I heard a piece of news recently." The Duchess of Odeje handed the black tea to Baron Vanville, who took it.

"What's the news? Mom." Marina asked.

The Duchess laughed: "The one who made your engagement dress."

"Lady Margaret, what's the matter with her?"

"I hear she's going to show the whole town tomorrow what she's made for men."

"Ah!" The princess was taken aback.

The Duchess looked over her little daughter to the man.

"Have you heard?"

"Yes, I have heard." Baron Vanville said calmly, as if it didn't have much to do with him.

The Duchess withdrew her gaze, and then smoothed out the non-existent folds on her skirt.

"It seems that there will be a good show tomorrow..." she said lightly, the princess looked at her mother with some doubts, while the baron lowered his eyes and took a sip of the black tea in his cup.

The next day, Margaret got up very early, no, to be precise, everyone got up very early.

Eric and Uncle Ramadon packed Margaret's costumes and shipped them to the venue.

Marguerite and Nanin arrived afterward with their cosmetic bags, and the models had arrived on time, except for one——Hector Gribert.

"What about others!" Margaret raised her voice, her brows were tightly knit, but no one answered.

"Ma'am, what should we do?" Nanin asked nervously.

Margaret bit her lower lip hard, and said, "Fix them first."

The three women started to work. The men don't need to put on too much makeup, just make up a little to make them look neat and healthy.

Twenty minutes later, Eric came back, and Margaret quickly asked, "Where are the others?"

"He's not at home, ma'am!" Eric growled lowly. In this situation, it was obvious that the other party ran away.

Margaret shuddered because she had bitten her lower lip to reveal blood.

What should I do?

Margaret watched more and more people outside, and a trace of sweat broke out on her forehead, as if she was laughed at by everyone a few minutes later.

No, she cannot fail.

"Why didn't you start?" A voice sounded, and Marguerite turned her head to look over. It was a somewhat familiar person, the man who first raised his voice in the Bois de Boulogne——Marshall.

A small man walked in with a smile on his face.

Margaret bit her lip tightly, feeling dizzy before her eyes. She swore that she had never hated others as much as she hated herself for a moment.

She was too rash, and verbal guarantees were never a big deal. How could she forget that those eyes hidden in the darkness cursed her to stumble in her heart every moment?