The Fashion Princess (9 page)

Clara Hughson came on stage at the end of her show to a standing ovation. She thanked all her models, assistants and seamstresses, and then she thanked
everyone for coming and encouraged them to stay for the extra part to the show.

“I think you are in for a lovely surprise. Some young designers have really caught my eye and they are about to delight you with a display of their own designs. The show, ladies and gentleman, is called ‘Freedom'. I think it speaks for itself.”

The audience clapped and cheered and the photographers got into position. The main lights dimmed and the spotlights shone. Then some very fast pop music started up.

Poppy was first on, opening the show in a cute ivory-white shift dress, embroidered with autumn leaves, teamed up with flat mid-calf-length boots and her mum's daisy hat. She had an absolute ball posing at the end of the runway and had to be reminded to make her way off stage so that Berry could come on! She tried to remember everything Tallulah had shown her about how to walk on a runway, but as soon as she was out there she forgot all the tips and just walked naturally. This seemed to delight the crowd and the photographers, who were all cheering her on.

Snap!
Snap!
went the cameras again as Berry came on in her amazing bright-green Big Apple dress. It had a simple boat neckline and a tulip skirt. Berry wore it with black leggings and flat pumps. The crowd roared with approval
and Berry got totally into the walk and the posing, complete with hands on hips and a flick of her fabulous red hair, which looked incredible with the vibrantly coloured dress.

Poppy and Berry made their changes quickly, with help from Saffron, Bryony, Delia and even Clara herself, and each time they came on in their simple but stunning designs, they received a rapturous reception from the crowd and the photographers kept on clicking. The audience gasped with surprise and delight when Tallulah made her entrance and sashayed down
the runway in a pretty appliquéd skirt and peasant blouse combo, accessorized with Holly Mallow's fabulous jewellery.

For the finale, Poppy appeared in her Liberty dress – inspired by her trip to the Statue of Liberty. She stepped elegantly down the runway with her arm outstretched, holding a bouquet of flowers in place of a torch, which she then presented to Tallulah. The photographers clicked non-stop and Poppy smiled and posed so much that her mouth went numb.

The audience loved the show and stamped their feet and clapped their
hands – the designs were such a refreshing change. Clara Hughson was thrilled with the result. She came out onto the stage and waited while more cheering went on, then presented Saffron and Bryony with bouquets of wild flowers.

“Firstly, I'd like to let you know that I will be stocking the Freedom range in all my stores next season. Secondly, and most importantly, all my thanks for this real treat today go to Saffron Sage, British designer from Honeypot Hill, Bryony
Snow, fashion writer from
Buttons
and
Bows
, Berry Coleman, fashionista, Tallulah Melage, supermodel, and Poppy Cotton, fashion princess!”

Everyone on stage bowed and curtsied, including Orlando, who had played his own unique part in Fashion Week. Poppy twirled and danced to the music, which had started up again.

After the show Poppy and the girls had to pose for lots more photos. And then there were interviews with all the top
papers and TV channels. Poppy had never felt so important. She couldn't wait to tell her family and friends back in Honeypot Hill about her amazing adventure in New York.

As they all said goodbye to Clara, she produced an envelope for them.

“Thank you so much for giving me back my faith in real fashion. Here are some tickets to
Cinderella
, performed by the New York City Ballet. It starts in two hours – I hope you can make it!”

Bryony thanked Clara for the tickets: everyone was thrilled. Saffron thanked her for giving them such a wonderful opportunity, and they said their final goodbyes.

They loaded all their stuff into some waiting cabs and headed back towards their hotel. Poppy couldn't wait for the ballet show. It was their final New York
treat, and she knew just what she was going to wear – the Liberty dress!

THE END

Janey was born in Edinburgh and grew up by the seaside just outside the city. Janey published the first two Princess Poppy books herself (with her own illustrations) and the books were so popular that Random House Children's Books soon bought the series and re-packaged the books. The series is now going from strength to strength, including picture books, activity books and sumptuous gift books. Janey has also written two Princess Poppy novels for young readers,
Pocket Money Princess
and
A True Princess,
both of which have been very successful.

Janey read English at Edinburgh University specializing in the Victorian novel. Following this she became a teacher – a career that she absolutely adored – and then, with her husband, set up The Jelly Club, which has become an extremely successful chain of children's activity centres in Scotland. She still very much enjoys visiting schools and talking to children to find out what they like doing and what makes them laugh. Janey and her husband live in Edinburgh with their three sons.