The first episode featured a total of 8 contestants. For the first half hour, the show focused on introducing these eight participants. The introduction videos for each contestant were quite engaging, even managing to highlight interesting aspects of individuals who might otherwise seem ordinary.
Because a significant portion of the contestants were ordinary people, their stories resonated more closely with the audience's daily lives. As a result, viewers were captivated and did not find the initial 30 minutes tedious.
Once all 8 contestants had been introduced, and the audience had gained a basic understanding and recognition of their distinct personalities, many viewers had already begun to favor one or two of the contestants. This was a fan-like adoration, similar to how fans feel about celebrities.
Following the introductions, the 8 contestants stood together on stage. The camera then panned to the audience seats opposite them, which were densely packed with major celebrities. At this point, the audience was reminded that the show had invited so many stars. However, the crucial question remained: what exactly were these celebrities there to do?
Soon, the answer was provided. The host, Wang Ya, announced, "Contestants, you now have two weeks to conceive, design, and produce the outfits you will use for your competition!"
"Sister Ya, I have a question!" a female designer contestant raised her hand.
"Go ahead!"
"Are there any restrictions on the clothes we design?" the female designer inquired.
"You could say there are, and you could also say there aren't!" Wang Ya said with a slight smile. The camera then abruptly shifted, focusing directly on all the celebrities behind her.
Indeed, at this moment, most of these celebrities looked bewildered, completely unaware of what the production team was planning.
"There are 64 celebrities here, and your restriction is them. They are your models!" Wang Ya explained with a smile. "Each of you contestants will be paired with one of the celebrities present to become a partner. This partner will also be your model, and all your design goals and focus will revolve around your model. Your designs can be entirely uninhibited; whether it's a suit, Hanfu, leather jacket, cotton coat, long skirt, Zhongshan suit, or any design element or style that exists in this world, you can present anything you deem suitable!"
"Over these two weeks, you will engage in thorough communication and coordination, understanding every characteristic of your model. Then, you will design an outfit that you believe will perfectly showcase their personal charm and allow their beauty to shine to its maximum potential."
"Of course, the outfit must also gain the approval of your model. If they feel the outfit does not meet their expectations, they have the right to refuse to wear it and participate in the performance. In such a case, the contestant will be directly disqualified and eliminated from our competition."
"So that's how it is!" The audience, contestants, and celebrities now understood their role was to serve as models for the contestants, with the contestants designing clothes for them.
"For just this, they've called all 64 of us big stars to serve as models for these unknown, insignificant individuals?" At this moment, many celebrities' faces turned green.
Frankly, if this wasn't a CCTV recording session, and if Boss Huang wasn't also seated in the celebrity section, becoming one of the models, these celebrities would have already walked away.
However, with Boss Huang present, no one dared to do so. In the end, they could only console themselves. Since they were already there, they would just go through the motions. At worst, they could simply refuse to wear the clothes designed by that peculiar designer. As for whether that person failed, it would have nothing to do with them.
"Sister Ya, how do we choose our partners?" a contestant couldn't help but raise his hand again. This was a very crucial question. Due to differences in each designer's clothing design philosophy and their individual skills, they needed to be paired with suitable models. For example, if a designer specializing in women's fashion were assigned a robust Mongolian man like Tengger, it would be truly impractical.
Naturally, these designers hoped for freedom of choice, but Wang Xiaoya's answer disappointed them. She continued, "Your partners will be determined by your destiny. Staff, please bring out the props!"
As she spoke, staff members wheeled a cart of props onto the stage. This cart was piled high with neatly stacked boxes. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that these boxes were identical to the Caiwei Blind Boxes from Jiangnan Group.
"Each of you will now draw a blind box from this pile of Caiwei Jiangnan Blind Boxes. Inside each box will be a number. This number will correspond to a specific blind box. Who would like to go first?"
"I'll go first," said a woman. She was the most petite among all the designers, but her personality seemed the most fiery and courageous.
"Alright, contestant Yao Hongxia, please select your blind box and partner!" Under the host's guidance, Yao Hongxia walked to the blind boxes. Holding the microphone, she said, "My birthday is March 5th, so I choose the box in the 3rd row and 5th position!"
After speaking, Yao Hongxia very decisively drew a box. Then, after a deliberately suspenseful reveal that piqued the audience's curiosity, she finally showed the number displayed inside the box, which was exactly number 35.
"Now, esteemed celebrities, who among you is number 35? I will count to three. After I finish counting, please, number 35, flip over your nameplate!" It turned out that each celebrity had a nameplate in front of their table, with a number on the back that only the celebrity could see.
The count of three quickly concluded. After a rapid succession of camera shots, the focus finally settled on Hu Shuaijun. Hu Shuaijun, looking somewhat bewildered, flipped over his nameplate, revealing the number 35 written on it. Thus, Yao Hongxia successfully partnered with Hu Shuaijun, forming a team.
Mr. Hu Shuaijun, beaming with a smile, walked to the front and stood with Yao Hongxia. Yao Hongxia was very excited to see Hu Shuaijun. Upon meeting him, she immediately expressed her great admiration for his portrayal of Qiao Feng, clearly very pleased with her partner.
Soon, the next few contestants drew their partners. When the third contestant, Cao Lichang, drew number 12, and Brother Long wryly flipped over his nameplate to reveal the number 12, the audience erupted in cheers. He was the first among all the top celebrities to be chosen.
However, shortly after, contestant Peng Haiyang, who was the seventh to draw, directly picked Qiu Zhen, becoming the most envied and jealous person both at the scene and in front of the television screens. Being paired with a stunning beauty like Qiu Zhen was simply too fortunate. Moreover, Peng Haiyang was Qiu Zhen's designer, meaning Peng Haiyang would be able to take close measurements of this great star, and there seemed to be unavoidable intimate contact involved. "Damn, I can't even think about it. The more I think about it, the more jealous I become."
Finally, all 8 contestants from the Northeast region found their partners. The remaining celebrities who were not chosen continued to sit awkwardly in their seats, regretting why they had participated in the show. At this moment, the host suddenly dropped a bombshell, announcing the upcoming competition format.
"For the next two weeks, you will be residing in the Caiwei Designer Base provided by our program. The base offers suites furnished to hotel standards, but that's not the important part. What's crucial is that the workshops in the base are equipped with 162 different types of garment manufacturing equipment from around the world, from the most ancient Chinese looms to the Spinning Jenny, and even the most advanced weaving machines available today."
"Furthermore, we provide all the tools and raw materials you will need. From the most primitive linen to silk, and various industrialized raw materials, everything can be found in the base. Of course, we also provide all the materials, including 1,262 different finished textiles currently sold through official channels worldwide, as well as 3,682 types of decorative items needed for clothing. If any material you need is not in the base, simply submit a request, and it will be delivered to you within three days!"
"In summary, whatever you need, you can find it in the base to satisfy your demands for clothing design and manufacturing. However, I must also remind you that all materials in the base are clearly priced at market value. Each of you has a fund of 100,000 yuan, which can be used to purchase various materials required in the base."
"You must plan your use of funds carefully. If you run out of money but still lack the materials to complete the garment manufacturing, the program will not provide any assistance."
"After two weeks, we will return to this venue, the i-Studio Auditorium, for a model show. Simultaneously, audience SMS voting will be opened. The two contestants who receive the most SMS votes will successfully advance to the top 16 nationwide. The remaining six contestants, along with their partners, will be eliminated together."
"Contestants who make it into the top 16 nationwide and their partners will receive different rewards. Contestants will get a special feature in a fashion magazine provided by Caiwei, along with 3 million yuan from Caiwei to design a complete set of clothing, and then release a fashion special exclusively for you nationwide!"
"As for the partners who make it into the top 16 nationwide, you will receive movie protagonist roles provided by Jiangnan Group!" Wang Ya paused, then continued, "Tang Ren will invite you to be the lead male and female protagonists in a movie with an investment exceeding 30 million yuan. There's no need to hesitate, you are the leads!"
"Of course, your salaries will be ample!" Wang Ya added with a smile at the end.