The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1612

As the maid Sarah poured tea, she couldn't help but marvel silently at the array of sketches laid out on the table. "They're so beautiful." she whispered to herself.

Once she set the teapot down and stepped back, she leaned in to whisper to Edith, "These designers are incredible, aren't they? To come up with so many styles in such a short time, and each one is just stunning."

It was beyond her sense of beauty. She knew that one couldn't find such exquisite designs in any department store.

"Without powerful strength, how can they attract clients?" Edith whispered back. "The designers you see here, they don't just serve any client. Money is not enough. They look at the family's influence. Take BT for example, Mr. Collins has to spend two million dollars a year just to keep this slot."

Sarah gasped, nearly jumping out of her skin. Two million dollars? And with seven or eight brands represented here, the household must be spending tens of millions annually on haute couture alone.

It was lavish and shocking.

"These dresses are so expensive. I can't even imagine owning one. Edith, tell me, do people really spend that much money on clothes?" Sarah asked, her disbelief evident.

"You're new to this world," Edith explained. "Globally, there are about three thousand haute couture clients. They're either from the billion-dollar club, royalty, or wives and daughters of prominent politicians and celebrities. What seems expensive to us is just a drop in the bucket to them. Clothes for festivals? They wear them just once."

"Just once?" Sarah's eyes widened in shock. "All that time and money on a dress, only for it to be worn once? Isn't that wasteful?"

"Well, the wealthy, especially during Halloween, love customizing all sorts of bizarre costumes. They're also worn just once – the next year it's all about who can be more creative. No one wears last year's costumes."