"Xiao Yuan won't be able to make a comeback this time!"
"Yeah, this is too difficult. They've even come up with Tang Sanzang. What else can Xiao Yuan do? Sun Wukong? But the rule is that models cannot wear makeup and must be bare-faced!" the audience below and watching on TV exclaimed.
The biggest rule of this competition was that celebrity models had to be bare-faced, without any makeup. At most, they could apply some foundation.
The reasoning was simple: the competition tested how clothing could change a person's temperament and appearance. Everyone knew how miraculous makeup was; it was a technique that could completely alter a person's appearance. If makeup were allowed, it would influence too many factors, so the rule was a firm cut-off: no makeup allowed.
In any case, all the models were celebrities with excellent natural features. Furthermore, as a designer, one couldn't only design for beautiful people, otherwise, business would be impossible.
Although makeup was disallowed, hairstyles were not restricted. So, Vivian's inspired move was to shave Hu Ge's head and dress him as Tang Sanzang. The result was indeed stunning, perfectly fulfilling the theme given by Qu Wei. The word "breakthrough" was truly fitting, and the audience members even mused that there couldn't be a greater breakthrough than this.
Of course, Hu Ge himself also made significant contributions, such as shaving his head to fit the program, which wasn't something just anyone could do.
However, this was mainly because Hu Ge's current status in the entertainment industry wasn't high. He had only appeared in two or three TV dramas and was a complete newcomer, without many preconceptions. For the sake of fame, shaving his head was not a big deal.
After all, with makeup technology becoming increasingly advanced, wearing a wig later would be the same. Vivian had initially suggested using a wig to simulate a bald head, but Hu Ge refused.
He felt that a wig was ultimately too fake and easily detectable. It could be said that Hu Ge had truly gone all out this time. At the same time, he was very curious to see what kind of breakthrough performance the company's current top star, Leng Zhiwen, would deliver.
Although he had been changing clothes backstage earlier, the two were completely separated, in different dressing rooms. In fact, Leng Zhiwen enjoyed unique treatment throughout the entire program: complete privacy. Except for her personal team, no one else, not even the director, was allowed into her dressing room. This treatment was truly unparalleled, leading many to speculate that she was Boss Huang's sister-in-law, otherwise, such treatment wouldn't be possible.
As Hu Ge was lost in thought, the scoring began on stage.
The professional judges started scoring first. However, to Hu Ge's surprise, the professional judges' scores were not high. A dozen judges collectively awarded only 40 points, which caused astonishment throughout the venue.
Considering that in the previous two rounds, the professional judges had given scores of over 90% high marks, this time it was only 50% of the score, a remarkably low performance.
"Teacher Zhao, could you please explain why such a score was given?" Not only were the audience members incredulous about the score, leading to a great uproar, but even the host was very confused. He curiously asked the professional judge for an explanation.
Then, Teacher Zhao, representing the entire judging panel, picked up the microphone and explained, "When we evaluate a garment, we primarily judge it based on aesthetics, artistic value, and historical cultural value!"
"First, we must admit that the aesthetic and artistic value of this Jinlan Kasaya is extremely high. The design is quite perfect and complete. If this were modern attire, giving it around 75 out of a perfect score of 80 would not be an exaggeration."
"But since Ms. Vivian stated that this was designed according to Journey to the West, this garment must also carry its historical value and be judged by an additional dimension. In this regard, the historical value of this Jinlan Kasaya is extremely lacking."
"As we all know, Journey to the West is adapted from Xuanzang's Great Tang Records of the Western Regions from the Tang Dynasty. Its historical prototype is the Xuanzang Master of the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, the design should follow the specifications of Tang Dynasty monks and masters!"
"Furthermore, Xuanzang Master was a traveling monk. He spent his life traversing the land on foot, so his attire should differ from ordinary Tang Dynasty monks."
"The most notable point is that he would never have worn a kasaya, because for monks, a kasaya is actually ceremonial attire, a garment worn only during important Buddhist ceremonies."
"And any ceremonial garment has a characteristic: due to its magnificence and complexity, it significantly hinders mobility. Xuanzang Master could not have traveled from the Tang Dynasty to India wearing a kasaya."
"This point is also reflected in Journey to the West, where Tang Sanzang's Jinlan Kasaya is usually stored in a bundle and only worn when meeting a king or participating in local temple rituals."
"Therefore, the real Xuanzang Master should have worn a robe similar to a short jacket, which would expose his legs for ease of walking. Additionally, it could be tied at the waist or draped over the shoulder, facilitating the carrying of baggage on his back!"
Teacher Zhao thoroughly explained, "I have here a painting called 'Xuanzang Carrying Buddhist Scriptures,' which better illustrates the appearance of Xuanzang of the Great Tang Dynasty on his journey, and it is vastly different from Miss Vivian's design!"
"Alright, Teacher Zhao, I understand your point. You yourself mentioned that Xuanzang Master still wore the formal Jinlan Kasaya during various important ceremonies and rituals. So why can't our design be a traveling Xuanzang Master, but rather a Xuanzang Master attending a ceremony?" the host actively asked.
"This is because Xuanzang Master spent most of his time traveling, so his traveling attire is more representative of him. Of course, designing a ceremonial outfit is entirely correct. However, the problem is, even as a ceremonial outfit, this garment is not up to par!"
"First and foremost, the form of the Jinlan Kasaya itself did not exist in the early Tang Dynasty. This style of kasaya gradually formed in the late Tang Dynasty..."
"Secondly, the straw sandals worn on the feet are absolutely prohibited in formal Buddhist rituals..."
This expert teacher elaborated on many details, proving that the Jinlan Kasaya indeed had significant regulatory issues in its design and was severely inconsistent with the Tang Dynasty's system. This left the host speechless. Finally, Vivian herself spoke, thanking the expert for his critique and admitting her deficiency in professional knowledge.
She explained that it was her first time encountering kasayas and Buddhist attire, and she only had a week to do so, with a significant amount of time spent on production. Consequently, there was very little time for research and error correction, leading to such a mistake. She voluntarily admitted her error, earning a round of applause.
Therefore, the audience scoring segment subsequently resulted in a high score of 55 points, and the external vote also secured 81 points. It was then time for Qu Wei to give her score.
Qu Wei pondered for a long time and finally gave a score of 60 points, stating that the garment's artistry and aesthetic achievements were very impressive, and her own design would likely be around the same.
However, she added that Vivian should not have designed a kasaya, because a kasaya carries a vast religious culture behind it. It is religious attire and must take into account various religious factors.
Moreover, a monk's kasaya should not be as ornate as the one on stage, because such a kasaya would overshadow the monk himself, drawing more attention to the kasaya than to the monk.
A true kasaya should be able to highlight the monk's wisdom, demeanor, and Buddhist cultivation. This Jinlan Kasaya, on the contrary, missed the point and was not in line with the kasaya's intended purpose, hence the final score of 60 points.
Finally, Qu Wei suggested that if Vivian hadn't designed a kasaya, and instead designed an outfit for a customer with a shaved head that was different from a kasaya but better complemented the bald hairstyle, it would have been a more successful attempt.
Therefore, after all the evaluations, Vivian scored 236 points out of a total of 340 points in the third round. Combined with the previous 242 points, her final total score was 478 points.
It could be said that this score gave Xiao Yuan a chance. Xiao Yuan's previous total score was 183 points. To surpass 478 points, she would need to score above 295 points.
However, this score was also very difficult to achieve, given that Vivian's work was so outstanding yet still deducted 104 points. What kind of work could Fang Xiao Yuan produce?
Thus, all eyes turned to Fang Xiao Yuan, who stood quietly to the side. The host smiled and asked, "Xiao Yuan, are you ready?"
"I'm ready!" Fang Xiao Yuan nodded. Then, the entire venue slowly dimmed, and the lights converged on the center of the stage. Simultaneously, a light humming began to fill the air.
"Clouds dress the clouds, flowers their faces; Spring breeze on rails, dewfall rich and thick.
If not seen on Kunlun's jade-piled peaks, Then on the terrace of the Moon Palace met."
Graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a coiling dragon.
A bright moon slowly descended from the sky. Of course, it wasn't the real moon, but a giant swing radiating a moon-like glow.
And on this swing, a woman in white, stroking a little rabbit, her beautiful back view, slowly descended along with the bright moon.