Evie got her thinking-hard face Have you ever noticed that none of the designers dress in fancy clothes They all just wear old T-shirts and ripped jeans Finley shrugged If the other choice was that orange vest I’d pick a plain old T shirt any day I guess it’s kind of like they have a free fashion pass Evie said picking the chocolate chips out of a bag of trail mix They’re stylish no matter what Finley nodded Fashion designers don’t have to worry about being in style they make style She watched the designers flitting around the studio Suddenly she felt a Fin-tastic idea seed sprouting in her mind Maybe I could be a fashion designer Finley thought Then I could make style too After all fashion is art and I love art She ran upstairs and got out her sketchbook It was design time
Chapter 2 SOMETHING FAD-ULOUS Finley spent the rest of the afternoon scribbling in her notebook She sketched a pair of pants with nineteen pockets perfect for carrying her art supplies then moved on to a jacket studded with jeweled constellations that reminded her of the night sky and a flouncy skirt made of fluttery fabric leaves When that was finished she got down to brainstorming names for her new fashion brand Finally she settled on Fin-tastic Fashions She liked the way it sounded And the double F’s made for a Fin-teresting logo Now all I have to do is decide on my first Fin-tastic fashion product she thought flipping through her sketches Something so noticeably new so incredibly irresistible that everyone will want one Suddenly a picture of Olivia’s bracelet popped into Finley’s mind Maybe I can make my own bracelet she thought I’ll use Olivia’s for Fin-spiration Finley turned to a clean page in her sketchbook As she drew she focused on what she liked about Olivia’s bracelet It was smooth Shiny Simple Silver Finley drew and drew Her pencil scratched across her page leaving a trail of swooping swirly curves Before she knew it she’d filled five pages of her sketchbook with bracelets She paused and looked them over Too thick Too thin Too plain Too fancy Too curvy Too straight She turned to the last page What about that one
Finley ran a finger over the small sketch in the top corner Then she held it up next to her wrist Perfect Just then Mom padded into the living room with her coffee You’ve been busy she said What are you working on I’m going to be a fashion designer Finley told her I’m designing my first product Mom looked surprised Wow she said I didn’t know you had a passion for fashion Me neither Finley said But Evie’s show made me realize that fashion is wearable art It’s a way to express yourself That’s why they call having your own style making a fashion statement I’m making a fashion statement Mom said striking a pose in her T-shirt and sweatpants I’m saying I am a woman who likes comfortable clothes Finley laughed But you’re also saying I like yellow Not really Mom said That’s just the color that happened to be on sale At dinner Finley glanced around the table at her family’s outfits If I’m going to be a fashion designer she thought I need to think like one I need to pay attention to what people wear Dad was wearing what he wore most days a plain plaid shirt with buttons up the front Zack had just finished a soccer game so he was wearing his uniform Evie had on a cropped black sweater and the tattered tutu she’d used for her zombie ballerina Halloween costume And Mom was still in her T-shirt and sweatpants Can I ask you some questions Finley said taking out her sketchbook I’m doing some research for my fashion line
