Studio 22 | Mary-Kate Olsen

Epilogue

July 6th 2027 - Italy, Milan - Palazzo Serbelloni

Standing frozen as I twist my wedding band around my finger trying to still my nerves as I watch the show. My eyes stuck on one spot as flashes from cameras blurred my vision. I had checked out of reality completely as my anxiety took over. I felt soft hands take mine, pausing my fidgeting for now. I came back down to earth from the familiar touch, turning from the runway to my wife. "What are you doing back here?" I asked pecking her cheek. "I just wanted to make sure you were feeling okay." I smiled at her, she was the sweetest. "I can see your nerves written all over your face." I pushed my lips in a straight line. "What's going on in that head of yours?" She asked me, tilting her head slightly.

"What if everyone hates it?" She squeezed my hands. "You have an amazing collection, Blue. I'm jealous you don't work for us anymore." "But what if it's not good enough? It's my debut collection. It should be perfect and-" "It is." She said firmly. "Your collection is amazing and you'll be having stylists calling you non-stop. There's nothing like your work, baby." I heard her but my nerves still swarmed like bees in my stomach. "It's going to be a great show... Enjoy it." I nodded. "We're in the front row," She told me, letting one of my hands go to cup my face and guiding me down to meet hers for a gentle kiss. "I love you and I'm proud of you." Backstage got busy as the models rushed off the stage and the designer of the collection walked onto the stage to give her final thank you. "I love you too." I replied, pecking her lips once more.

She rushed off, looking back at me and giving me an encouraging smile before she disappeared to go join the audience. There was one more collection before mine, the nerves only getting worse. I don't know how I did this so many times for Ash and MK. Fashion shows are hard, they suck and they're scary. Is it too late to pull out?

I had been working on this collection for two years now, slowly building a business, designing for friends of Lizzie and the twins. Each dress is hand embroidered which is what sets my dresses apart from others. This collection included my signature style but also a few different pieces that I didn't know how they were going to be received by the critics. And what makes it worse was my whole family was here to see me fail. My mami and Papi, Atlas and his girlfriend Isla, Sage, Ash and Louis, Lizzie and Robbie. Even MK's parents. Given they flew out for The Row's show that happened two days ago but they stayed for mine too. There was a lot of pressure on this show to be perfect, to be what people expected. I hadn't let anyone but MK see the collection. It took a lot of convincing from her part before I even let her see a single sketch but she can be very persuasive. I was kind of glad she eventually saw them because it meant I could get her input, after all she was a very talented designer and I valued her opinion. She even helped sew a few of the pieces which I was grateful for. I didn't have a whole team of people helping me like she did. My company was tiny, a solo operation so MK's help was greatly appreciated to say the least.

I went over to my rails where my models were waiting for me. I had them ready 45 minutes ago, I was far too stressed to leave it to the last minute. I checked the rails and made sure they were all in order and ready for the quick change a few of the models had. Everything was there waiting for them so I moved on to the models scanning them over for any loose threads or creased fabric. I ran my fingers over the hand embroidered dress that a model was wearing. Distracting myself with work was helping settle my nerves slightly. Not much but I know longer felt the need to puke. This collection was more event wear, which is currently my clientele, they call me when they have an award show or premiere or a charity event to attend. I was working on an everyday wear collection too but it wasn't quite showcase ready.

We got a call for line up and now the nerves returned, doubling in size and I wished MK was backstage with me. I have been with her through every show she's done, I know how much the nerves eats you up in the final moments of the wait. Why did I ever think I would be cool, calm and collected?