You want to start your own brand?
Then prove yourself to me.
Fifty-two inquiries.
When I participated in the Geika Festival,
while a student,
I received 52 inquiries from buyers.
That record has stood for the past 40 years.
If that's what Grandmother really thinks...
If you can break that record,
do what you want.
"Smile Down the Runway"
"Episode 12: This Is My Story"
Is it just me or do those clothes look strange?
So cool!
Ah... What? How so?
Ichika, do you think it's cool?
It looks powerful!
It's like a robot!
I definitely didn't see it like that.
Yeah... I don't get it at all.
Oh?
There seems to be more people now.
Perhaps... it's because Toh Ayano's up next.
I see...
What? Who are you?
Hi there!
It's a pleasure to meet you.
"Satomi Ichihara"
Miss Satomi Ichihara...
Wait, what? You're a b-buyer...?!
Oh, it's just a privately run select shop.
Wow...
At least half of the people who just arrived are most likely buyers.
There's a lot of hype around Mr. Toh Ayano, you know?
These people... They're all...
Huh?
Oh, but anyway! Mr. Tsumura. Would you like to sell me a few of your designs?
What?
Your show really caught my attention.
Let's settle the details another day.
Do you have a card on you?
Oh, no, I don't!
You should have some ready!
You never know when these things happen.
All right then.
--Don't forget to contact me!
--Please wait... Oh... --Don't forget to contact me!
Did I just...
...sell some of my clothes...?
We are mere slaves to designs.
We use our eyes to see the colors, our skin to feel the quality...
Our memory to store techniques, to give it our heart.
The very clothes we produce by dedicating our body and soul, are us.
Everyone, open your eyes.
Now, let's go.
Wow!
What?
A plain T-shirt?
A T-shirt with the logo of the brand.
A huge money-maker if it's a hit among young people.
It's geared towards the buyers.
The theme is harmony.
The same as mine.
But he started off featuring a universal style.
A hit or a miss, it all depends on the designs that follow.
It's an unbelievably risky arrangement.
But the expectation we have for Toh Ayano
only intensifies the anticipation for the next outfit.
--Ah! Two designs at once! --Wow...!
An everyday design juxtaposed with an eccentric design!
Harmony between the ordinary and unordinary!
So this is Toh's theme.
Wow...
A brilliant haute couture line that showcases his abilities,
and a ready-to-wear line that lends itself to everyday wear and mass production.
There's harmony between them.
He'd be an instant asset, I gotta say.
Three years ago, I received eight. Two years ago, I received 22.
Last year I received 31. I wasn't even close.
I wasn't even close... Not at all...
It's been an unattainable goal.
And this year is my final chance.
Wow...
Superior design skills...
Wow...
He's got tremendous technique...
Wow...!
The results will be in momentarily.
--Participants, please gather in the back.
--Oh, I have to go. --Participants, please gather in the back.
Ikuto.
Huh?
Ikuto...
You did an amazing job.
Yes.
Thank you.
How adorable! This year's Geika Festival was just adorable!
There were so many clothes I wanted to wear!
Yeah, that was impressive. Who are you voting for?
That's a secret.
Hey, maybe I should give him my card.
"Say, want to come work for us?"
Are you serious?
I'm only kidding.
No way. Ms. Mai is scary.
So, what should I do?
I'm going to pass.
What? That tiny model was the same one from the Hazime Yanagida show?
Yes, that's her.
She may be a short person,
but as a model, she has so much presence.
Don't you think she has a powerful aura?
Hey, you're hyping her up quite a bit.
MODE JAPAN is strict about their models, but...
Huh?
Are you going to Paris if you get first place?
Do you think I even have a chance? Did you see Mr. Ayano's show...?
There's no way...
What? Then are you giving up becoming a designer?
That's why I'm concerned!
Oh... I hope Ms. Igarashi will forgive me...
Huh? Are you serious?
You looking down at me like that is really pissing me off right now. Crouch down, darn it!
Listen to me!
Don't move!
--Hey. --Ah...
What...?
Um... Thank you so much for coming to see my show!
You're also wearing my suit...
There's nothing to talk about now. Come to me when you get your results.
Oh? Hey, high schooler!
Oh... Mr. Ryunosuke.
Hey, so what are you planning to do after high school?
What?
I don't know about your financial situation,
but I'm sure you'd be able to get a scholarship, easy.
Come to Geika, so I can crush you.
Since when were you guys friends?
Oh...
Miss Kizaki.
Hey, what did you think of my designs?
What? Oh, um...
They were really wonderful.
Okay.
Thanks.
What? You're friends with him, too?
Shut up.
We will now announce the results.
Participants, please gather at the staging area.
Let's go.
Yes!
How did you do?
Toh, did you get 53 inquiries?
I don't know, I haven't counted yet. Do you want to count?
How silly. Limiting yourself like this.
You should live more freely.
It's time to announce the results!
Huh?
Hey... Is this mic okay...?
It's time to announce the results!
Thanks to everyone, this year's Geika Festival was a success!
Those who ranked #1-10 will be called up to the runway.
Those who ranked #11 and below will stay here.
Those who are called, proceed to the stage with your model to receive your critique and trophy.
I'd like to take this moment to say this...
The ranking does not reflect the quality of the clothes.
But since this is a contest,
we judged them by originality, construction, and presentation.
And this is only an evaluation from an artistic perspective we've been cultivating.
It's not meant to reject what you thought as wonderful and amazing.
Please enjoy what you felt was #1, what you felt was fashionable.
Now, let's move forward with the ceremony.
There's someone I want to beat.
There's someone I don't want to lose to.
There's someone I want approval from.
Our first-place winner is...!
Kokoro Hasegawa!
Ah!
All right!
Take that!
Oh...
Hey, don't look that stunned. Let's go.
Congratulations!
You did great!
She's... the first-place winner?
It was great, but...
Your theme of "waku waku" was well-suited for the Geika Festival and excited everyone.
You are the first-place winner.
Hey, Kokoro! It's been a while.
Miss Sara...
Congratulations. Good luck from here on out!
As a designer...
Wow...!
Now I'll be announcing the rest of the results.
Second place...
Seventh place, Kaoru Kizaki.
Ah. Darn it.
Ah...
Oh...
That was the top ten.
The names I just called will go on stage.
I'll be announcing the rest of the results and providing the critique here.
Eleventh place, Ikuto Tsumura.
Huh? Ikuto Tsumura?
Yes...
"The construction was precise and neat.
The world-themed designs and arrangements were incredible.
But the designs were solely based on the different countries,
lacking creativity and uniqueness."
"Practical clothes... Your designs were too much like the ordinary clothes we wear every day.
Designers have the duty to discover new fashion.
We suggest you focus on that from here on out."
Yes...
This was only your first show. There's no need to be that depressed.
Toh Ayano, you're in last place because you withdrew. Are you satisfied?
Yes. I have no problem with that at all.
There he is. Yusuke, get him.
Yeah.
Ah... What?!
Ikuto's not here.
Since he wasn't on stage, he didn't make top ten...
Do you think his clothes were that bad...?
That can't be. It probably just didn't mesh well for this event.
He's got talent.
"Manager Igarashi Congratulations. Come back anytime."
Hey, wait a minute. What's up with this happy-ending scenario?
Where's my apology?! She better apologize to me!
Chiyuki Fujito.
I'm gonna get my apology, no matter what!
Chiyuki Fujito, can you hear me?
Huh? Whoa! Who are you, lady?
Chiyuki! This lady's...
I'd like to speak to you.
What...?
That's...
Mr. Toh's lovely eleventh outfit.
And the outfit that stumped all of us patternmakers.
Oh...
I'm going to change into this, so turn around.
What? Okay...
Hm...
Okay, I'm ready. It's not my size, so it looks a little off...
The sleeves...
Ah...!
It doesn't puff up enough.
I knew it...
May I take a look?
The shoulder dart doesn't seem right.
If you made it 10mm, no, 5mm wider...
If you were on our team, Mr. Toh would've achieved his vision!
Huh...?
Nobody was able to keep up with Mr. Toh's standards.
That's why he ended up fixing every outfit...
And he ran out of time to fix this one.
Mr. Toh's goal was to receive 53 inquiries from the buyers.
But he only got... 52.
If only this outfit were finished...!
That's why he withdrew...
If only you were on board as a patternmaker!
"Ballot Sara 1) Kokoro Hasegawa" Everyone besides Sara voted for Toh.
"Ballot Kamii "Ballot Suo 1) Toh Ayano" 1) Toh Ayano" The participants who received inquiries from buyers today were...
...just Toh and Ikuto.
I'm so glad we allowed non-student participants.
Toh has worked alone for a very long time...
I think he finally found a friend.
I'm sure Ikuto will follow his lead...
"Geika Fashion School Student Application Admission Test Scholarship Information"
Just because you didn't surpass me,
that doesn't mean it's the end.
What are you going to do now?
I'll be working for you for a while longer.
As long as you're an asset, you're more than welcome.
But your show today... You're still imitating my designs.
I couldn't see any growth.
So why don't you--
I'm not starting my own brand.
What?
I won't be able to appreciate myself like that.
I don't break promises. I'm a bit of a narcissist, you know?
Ah... I'm going to cry...
Go, first-born son! Win, first-born son!
Ah... My mind keeps wandering off...
What am I going to do now...?
Huh?
"Mr. Hajime Yanagida" "Work next Saturday. Be there."
Oh, Ikuto!
Ah!
There you are.
Here, I wanted to give you this.
Huh?
It's Geika's student application form.
You can always enroll at Geika and work as an intern.
An intern?
You'll be able to work while going to school.
You're only a 17-year-old high school student.
You faced older college students today.
Today's achievement will benefit you no matter what.
You'll improve even more.
Geika will welcome a student like you anytime!
Thank you very much.
I'll see you later, Ikuto.
All right.
Don't slouch!
Whoa!
What? Oh...
Hey.
O-Oh... Congratulations.
Not you, too...
Show me your pain!
What?!
Kokoro just keeps crying...
And Igarashi just left...!
So Ikuto! Tell me that you're bitter!
That's why I'm telling you, "Congratulations"...
Are you serious? You're not bitter at all?
Not at all. It's all very great.
Well, wait until you hear this!
Huh?
I'm going to be an exclusive model for a magazine.
I'm starting up a new magazine.
It's a teen's fashion magazine geared towards high school girls with a more mature style.
You're going to be our model.
An exclusive model.
How about that?
Now I'm bitter.
I'm really bitter!
You better be. Because I feel so good beating you, Ikuto!
I don't know...
This was my first time...
Feeling defeated...
I never want to lose to anyone again!
Hey Ikuto, you better hurry and catch up with me.
I know.
Or else, I might go to Paris Fashion Week without you.
Yes!
"Was I rated higher than my actual ability? I'm unmotivated. What should I do about starting my own brand? I don't want to go to Paris."
"Was I rated higher than my actual ability?"
"I'm unmotivated."
"What should I do about starting my own brand?"
"I don't want to go to Paris."
I don't want to be left behind.
I can still take on new challenges.
I'm Chiyuki Fujito. This is my story of becoming a top model.
And...
I'll be closing Hazime Yanagida for a while.
What? But why?
Aphro I Dite invited me on board as a designer.
Aphro I Dite... That's Mr. Ayano's grandmother's brand!
If I show results with Japan's premier fashion brand, it'll increase my worth.
So I can eventually get to Paris Fashion Week.
What are your plans?
Oh...
I want to move forward...
Hello? What is it?
Will I be able to work at Aphro I Dite, too?
And I'm Ikuto Tsumura.
So we meet again.
Yes!
I'm looking forward to working with you!
This is my story of becoming the top designer.
Smile Down the Runway.
"Thank you very much!!"