frfashion1-1, Exercise 2: An imaginary fitting

Model answer (an imaginary scene):

On the first morning the première of the dress atelier brought the toile for the evening gown into the fitting room of the maison. The client stood on the small platform while the petites mains pinned the seams, and the couturière, watching from a chair, asked for the waist to be taken in by a centimetre. The first fitting always happens in cotton, so that nobody damages the silk.

Three weeks later, in the final fitting, the real gown was ready. The mannequin who would show it in the défilé had already worn it for the collection, and the client's copy was adjusted to her own measurements. The atelier staff stayed late to finish the hem by hand, and the première signed off the garment before it left the house under its griffe.

Terms used: maison, première, toile, petites mains, couturière, mannequin, défilé, collection, atelier, griffe (ten, so more than six).

Care: the scene is invented; real practices vary by house and period.