Ep 2. The Dress

In the second episode of The Collection, titled "The Dress," tension is high as the fashion house prepares for a show to unveil their latest collection. There's concern that the new designs might be too controversial and scandalous, which would hurt the brand's reputation. Paul Sabine, the head of the house, is especially nervous as he's already under scrutiny from journalists and investors.

Meanwhile, a young woman named Nina arrives in Paris looking for work in the fashion industry. She's bright and ambitious, with a talent for sewing. However, she struggles to find a job and ends up working as a cleaner in the fashion house. She's in awe of the designers and models around her, and dreams of one day being a part of their world.

As preparations for the show continue, tensions rise between Paul and his brother Claude. Claude is the creative genius behind the designs, but he feels stifled by Paul's control over the business. He's frustrated that his vision isn't being fully realized, and he worries that the company is becoming too commercial.

The highlight of the episode is the creation of a stunning red dress, which will be the centerpiece of the new collection. It's a challenging design, with intricate folds and pleats, and everyone is on edge as they work to get it just right. Nina is tasked with hand-sewing the hem, and she works tirelessly to make sure it's perfect.

As the day of the show approaches, tensions come to a head. Paul is furious when he sees that Claude has made last-minute changes to the collection, which could be seen as too provocative. He demands that the changes be reversed, even though it means an all-nighter for the designers and models.

Nina watches in awe as the models walk the runway, showcasing the new designs. When the red dress finally appears, the audience gasps in admiration. It's a stunning success, and the fashion house celebrates with a lavish party.

However, not everything goes according to plan. Paul is confronted by a journalist who accuses him of stealing designs from a rival fashion house. The scandal threatens to ruin the brand's reputation and sends shockwaves through the fashion world.

Overall, "The Dress" is a tense and dramatic episode that explores the highs and lows of the fashion industry. It showcases the pressures faced by designers and the lengths they'll go to create the perfect garment. It also touches on themes of power, control, and creativity, as the Sabine brothers struggle to balance their business interests with their artistic vision. And it introduces Nina as a new character with a lot of potential, whose journey we're sure to follow in future episodes.