Gemotions

The first sign was the identical stitching. Then, the identical button. Now, here she was, in a crowded department store, staring at a mannequin wearing… her designs. Her designs, painstakingly crafted and sold online under her own name.

She felt a dizzying sensation, as if the ground beneath her feet had tilted. The fabric, the cut, the very *feel* of the garments – they were hers, no doubt about it. Yet, here they were, mass-produced, and sold at a fraction of the price.

A sales assistant, cheerfully holding a dress, approached her. “Isn’t the ‘Celestial Bloom’ dress stunning? Such a popular item this season!” The words hit her like a physical blow. The dress, she realized, was an exact replica of her own "Midnight Garden" gown. She couldn't speak, could barely breathe, the air seemed thick and heavy.