As the music thump-thumped, the first model burst out from behind the silver curtain and strutted her way down the runway, arms moving gracefully, hips swaying. She wore a glittery sequined hoodie, matching shorts, and blade sunglasses.
“You see,” Theodosia whispered to Drayton, “there are variations on the sweatshirt theme.”
The second model, dressed in a skintight neon green jumpsuit, popped out just as the first model hit the end of the runway and spun around in a gravity-defying turn. From then on it was nonstop fashion, music, and action. The Lemon Squeeze Couture line included jumpsuits, leggings, jackets, crop tops, joggers, anoraks, tank tops, and workout shorts. They were done in sequins, silks, neoprene, fleece, cotton, and all manner of stretchy fabrics. And the designs were good. Better than good. They were pieces that Theodosia herself would love to wear.
As the music segued to Nicki Minaj’s “Pound the Alarm,” Theodosia thought, Maybe Delaine and her crew are onto something here. Maybe this is the next big thing. Or, rather, a bigger thing than athleisure already is.
The final two looks brought the crowd to its feet. One was a poufy red silk anorak that, when unzipped, turned into a kind of cozy sleeping bag. The last piece was an ethereal white silk jacket with matching tank top and flowing pajama pants. Not for working out in, but definitely the epitome of luxe loungewear.
Then Harvey Bateman, Marvin Chauvet, Mark Devlin, and Delaine Dish appeared on the runway. They hugged one another, waved to the enthusiastic crowd, and put up high fives. The music rose to a crashing crescendo and a stream of models emerged, taking a final turn on the runway, then intermingling with the Lemon Squeeze Couture partners. It was a spectacle that looked like it was right out of New York or Paris Fashion Week.
“Goodness,” Drayton said as the lights came up and the excited crowd began to shift from their chairs to the bar area, where servers waited with trays of appetizers and finger foods. “That was quite dramatic.”
“Much better than I thought it would be,” Theodosia said. She looked around, saw Julie Eiden, the intern, standing in the back of the room, along with Echo Grace, who gave a little finger wave. Theodosia waved back.
“This might be your one chance to talk to Eddie Fox,” Drayton said. Fox was fussing with his camera, handing two flat black cartridges to someone, probably his assistant, and looking generally frazzled.
“I’ll give it a shot.” Theodosia brushed past a few people who were still seated, made her way to where Fox was standing, and said, “I know you’re busy, but do you have a minute to talk?”
He stared at her. “What about?” he asked and turned away.
“It concerns . . .”
“No!” Fox said in an emphatic tone. “This is a bad time, a terrible time.” He turned back to his assistant and said, “Bucky, you need to get those SD memory cards to Delta Labs ASAP. You got that? I have to start editing tomorrow.”
Bucky nodded back. “Delta. Righto.” He opened a camo messenger bag and tucked them inside.
“Mr. Fox,” Theodosia tried again.
His eyes rolled toward her. “I said no. I’m in deep doo-doo and now I gotta . . .” He shook his head in frustration, as if a cluster of bees were chasing after him, then hissed, “Why am I even bothering with you?”
“I don’t know, why are you?” Theodosia asked, stung by his brusque words.
But Fox had turned back to Bucky again. “Guard those cards with your life,” he warned. “Or heads will roll.”
* * *
* * *
“He’s gone!” Theodosia exclaimed to Drayton when she finally located him some ten minutes later. He’d just munched a piece of shrimp toast and had a cheese-topped cracker in his hand. “I caught Fox’s attention, practically begged him to talk to me, and he completely blew me off. Two seconds later he disappeared into the crowd—poof—like some kind of unfriendly ghost.”
“He didn’t want to talk to you,” Drayton said. “Or maybe he was ferociously busy. Maybe he’s double-booked or something. Here, have an appetizer. They’re excellent.” He reached out and grabbed another shrimp toast off the tray of a passing waiter.
“No, it was a snub. I know a direct snub when I see it.”
“Not much you can do about it now.”
“Oh yes, there is.” Theodosia whipped out her cell phone.
“You’re going to call him?”
“At his studio, sure.”
“He’s probably not there yet. Better give him ten minutes or so.”
Theodosia fumed, drank a glass of wine, nibbled a few more appetizers, and waited nervously as they were jostled about by the crowd. When she couldn’t hold out any longer, she dialed Fox’s studio number.
“I’m calling Fox’s office,” she told Drayton, “to see if we can go over there and try to catch him. Pin his ears back.”
A woman answered on the first ring. “Studio,” she said in a cheery voice.
“Excuse me,” Theodosia said. “I’m trying to get hold of Eddie Fox?”
“You found him. Well, you almost did. Foxfire Productions and Scot Shot Photography share this space. I’m Josie, studio manager for both companies. How can I help you?”
“I need to speak with Eddie Fox. It seems I just missed him at the Lemon Squeeze Couture show. He went flying out of here as soon as he was done filming.”
“I can believe that because Eddie ran into the studio, like two seconds ago, then bounced right back out again. Said he had to shoot a spot for Granite Bank—a TV spot—then go scout a location. He’s apparently on the lookout for some special type of house.”
“Can you tell me where I might find him? It’s important I get in touch with him immediately.”
“Let’s see, I have that information here somewhere.” Papers rustled, then Josie was back on the line. “Here it is. He’ll be at EmCom for the Granite Bank shoot, then checking out a house just off the Maybank Highway. 1120 Turnbull Road to be exact. But that’s not till later. It’s kind of a long haul, so I doubt you’d want to meet up with him there. I’m sure Eddie will be back in the studio tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll figure something out,” Theodosia said. “Thank you.”
“Now what?” Drayton asked as the after-party swirled around them.
“I just missed him. Now I have to call EmCom.”
“What’s an EmCom?”
“Emerson Communications. They’re a production house and that’s where Fox is directing a shoot.”