TV season

Season 1

2004-01-01

Episodes

Episode 1

2004-01-01 • 46 min

Renowned fashion designer NICK YAU intends to dress his model girlfriend ELAINE POON in a custom-made evening gown using a piece of fabric, which he has specially acquired for a forthcoming show. But the fabric is soiled by the careless MICHELLE KOO. It is only later that LIK has found out that she is the granddaughter of his mentor KOO CHUN KAU. NICK shows gratitude to KAU’s mentorship with a tailored-made suit and an invitation to his show. To NICK’s huge disappointment, KAU has asked MICHELLE to return the suit. MICHELLE’s errand results in her chance meeting with fresh fashion design graduates ELLA KWAN and PHOEBE LUI on the university campus, where the reckless MICHELLE has ruined ELLA’s graduating piece. ELLA is outraged. NICK follows KAU’s motto “Tailor to Fit” and turns an ordinary piece of fabric into an acclaimed evening gown……

Episode 2

2004-01-02 • 46 min

MICHELLE, found guilty of drug possession, is sentenced to perform community service. YEUNG asks her to work in his company but she declines his offer. CHAN SUK WAN, YEUNG’s wife, often mediates between her daughter and husband who are at odds with each other. NICK’s career has taken off since the establishment of his fashion design house NEE co-founded with MARIO LAW, the son of the affluent businessman LAW TUNG. His exceptional flair has won him numerous prestigious awards over the years. KAU lets go of his ego and asks NICK to offer MICHELLE a job in his firm. Although he is well aware that MICHELLE lacks the qualities to become a top-notch designer, NICK is particularly demanding with her. One day, she comes to the aid of ELLA, the victim of a robbery, and chases the robber fearlessly. ELLA is grateful and forgives the mistake of the reckless girl……

Episode 3

2004-01-05 • 46 min

As an initiative to expand their business, MARIO proposes to NICK to launch a new product line and gains his approval and support. MICHELLE learns that NEE has job openings for fashion designers and encourages ELLA and PHOEBE to apply for the posts, but ELLA has already set her mind on the scholarship and declines the offer. On the contrary, PHOEBE takes up the challenge and applies for the job. PHOEBE’s brother LUI SIU LUNG is secretly in love with ELLA, but instead of making his affections known, he patiently sticks by her side. LUNG is in fact NICK’s lost brother. The siblings were put up in an orphanage following the deaths of their parents. LUNG was subsequently adopted by PHOEBE’s birth parents LUI CHIU and TING LAI SHEUNG, who have treated the child as their own flesh and blood. LUNG and NICK have in fact met each other a long while ago……

Episode 4

2004-01-06 • 46 min

KUK prepares to refurnish ELLA’s room only to learn that she has lost her eligibility for the scholarship. Sensing ELLA’s interest in the job, LUNG asks a favor from NICK, but not before ELLA’s abilities have earned her a contract. She is joined at NEE by PHOEBE, who is also hired by the firm. MARIO seeks to expand the Chinese market by collaborating with a mainland business Mr CHU to launch their new brand N2. NICK detests the mercenary of CHU and thus hands over the project to his new recruits. MICHELLE has developed a genuine interest for fashion design under NICK’s guidance. LUNG drops by at the orphanage to deposit NICK’s donation and chances on MICHELLE, who is performing community service there. She pleads with LUNG to keep the secret. NICK takes MICHELLE along to a working meeting where ELLA proudly presents her new design concept. But she fails to impress the boss, who instead compliments MICHELLE for her original design……

Episode 5

2004-01-07 • 46 min

ELAINE is too tied up with her work to accompany MR CHU for sightseeing and thus incurs NICK’s displeasure. NICK does his routine night inspection of NEE and finds MICHELLE working diligently on paper patterns. He patiently teaches her the skills of pattern making, but his teaching also arouses the jealousy of ELLA, who has returned to the office to bring him some snacks. YEUNG has especially refurbished the study room for MICHELLE to practice her skills. Grateful for his encouragement, she has secretly arranged for her brother KOO LOK MAN to return home from his studies overseas to celebrate the father’s forthcoming birthday. ELAINE attends a trial make-up session at her agent DANNY’s Saga Model and Artist Entertainment Co. Ltd. for a new commercial, only to find her place taken over by a young hotshot called COCO. NICK delegates the N2 project to his team of new designers……

Episode 6

2004-01-08 • 46 min

MICHELLE has been actively hunting for a job. PHOEBE encounters MAN due to a misunderstanding. The lovers get off to a stormy start, which bothers MICHELLE. ELLA’s ambition to take charge of the N2 project has driven her to curry favor with CHU, by fawning and flattery. But she realizes the futility of her efforts when NICK appoints the experienced designer PATRICK to supervise the project. MICHELLE is convinced that her future career lies in fashion design. To repay NICK’s mentorship, she expresses her wishes to return to NEE and works under him. She proves her worth with action and finally moves the boss, who consents to her return. NICK has abandoned his overseas trip with ELAINE so as to involve MICHELLE in the evening gowns project commissioned by the upcoming Miss Hong Kong Pageant.

Episode 7

2004-01-09 • 45 min

YEUNG’s business partner HONG has brought trouble to his firm, which now comes under the serious threat of liquidation. MICHELLE vows to gather herself together and steer the family through difficult times. YEUNG and WAN decide to start anew in Shanghai. Before their departure, YEUNG thanks NICK for looking after his daughter. NICK gives MICHELLE her break by involving her in the beauty pageant project. MAN and PHOEBE lend CHIU and SHEUNG a hand by posing for the promotional poster of their new business, Chiu’s Fashion. When ELAINE travels to Shanghai for a fashion show, NICK promises to spend the weekend there with her. MICHELLE hopes to derive inspiration for her designs from extensive research. She comes to the aid of DONNA, who s sexually molested by HONG, and beats him up. NICK bails her out of jail and thus learns of her previous offence……

Episode 8

2004-01-12 • 45 min

NICK has come up with a series of MICHELLE-inspired evening gown designs for the beauty pageant. He mediates between ELLA and PATRICK, who have a conflict of ideas over the design directive of N2. MAN works part-time in Chiu’s to help out with his family expenses. PHOEBE and MAN are invited to attend an audition at Saga by their talent scout. PHOEBE is overjoyed. CHU has invited the mainland supermodel NIKI to attend the N2 launch, but ELLA’s malicious allegation causes NIKI’s misunderstanding of PATRICK. PATRICK has no means to prove his innocence and quits his job in a rage. MARCO appoints ELLA to the design chief hot seat. All the years, NICK has been wondering why he was expelled by KAU. At last, the mystery is revealed by MICHELLE: KAU was harsh on NICK and expelled him for a minor mistake only because he didn’t want him to give up his chance to learn his trade overseas……

Episode 9

2004-01-13 • 46 min

NICK and MICHELLE have a well-developed understanding over time. ELIANE loses faith in NICK as her intuition tells her that his mentorship of MICHELLE has become a personal one. ELLA’s overbearing attitude has given PHOEBE a hard time. On the eve of the N2 fashion show, ELLA receives the news of CHU’s arrest by the mainland authorities. TUNG worries that the arrest will damage his reputation and pressurizes MARCO to cancel the show. ELLA is devastated to see her painstaking efforts wrecked overnight. With MARCO’s mainland project suspended, he re-assigns ELLA and PHOEBE to work on the beauty pageant project. ELLA mocks MICELLE for failing to grasp the basics of fashion design. Her comments are overheard by NICK, who decides to teach her the rudimentary skills. In a joyous mood, MICHELLE is bringing her first hand-sown evening gown back for NICK’s appraisal. Her heart sinks when she sees NICK and ELAINE walking hand in hand……

Episode 10

2004-01-14 • 45 min

NICK visits MICHELLE, who has fallen ill. NICK sees her piece and compliments on her progress. To strive for perfection, she makes further revisions to the original design. Saga has offered both PHOEBE and MAN a modeling contract and the two begin their training. DANNY urges ELAINE to work behind the scenes to train new talents as her age is now working against her modeling career. It agonizes her to face a career that has gone downhill so rapidly. A beauty pageant contestant has compliant about her misfit evening gown. NICK replaces it with MICHELLE’s design and wins the contestant an award. MICHELLE’s design also receives rave reviews. MARCO is going out with COCO, but his keen concern for ELAINE bothers the girlfriend. NICK praises MICHELLE’s work in the celebration party and thus angers ELLA, who storms out of the party.

Episode 11

2004-01-15 • 46 min

ELAINE is upset to see NICK tend to the drunken MICHELLE. MARCO musters up his courage to tell ELAINE his affections for her, but she only treats him as a good friend. ELAINE has grown tired of her unsettling modeling life and wants to settle down. She tries to raise the subject of marriage to NICK. MARCO has been earnestly looking for a new investor for their aborted N2 project. He finally convinces TUNG to bring new capital in to resurrect the plan. NICK spurs his team on to come up with a new design directive. ELLA and MICHELLE burn the midnight oil. ELLA treats LUNG with no more respect than just another keen suitor. But as soon as she finds out about his blood relationship with NICK, she decides to turn his affections to her advantage and approaches him. Inspired by a magazine that YEUNG has brought from Shanghai, MICHELLE drafts a new directive for N2 and gains NICK’s approval……

Episode 12

2004-01-16 • 46 min

NICK delegates the entire N2 project to MICHELLE and incurs ELLA’s wrath. It displeases ELAINE that MICHELLE’s name often crops up in their conservations. MAN works as a part-time model but is determined not to let his work affect his studies. However, he keeps it from YEUNG. MICHELLE is accused by ELLA for plagiarizing the works of a renowned designer. MICHELLE feels wronged by the unfounded accusation. NICK and ELAINE are attending a pre-marital counseling session to share with other couples their first meeting. But NICK has to leave early for an urgent task, leaving ELAINE to face the audience alone. ELAINE reflects on their tired relationship and concludes that they have lost the loving feelings. She proposes to break up with NICK. MARCO tries to defend ELAINE’s decision and blames NICK for hurting her feelings. Though NICK tries hard to reconcile with ELAINE, she is unmoved.

Episode 13

2004-01-19 • 46 min

ELAINE wants to get over NICK and leaves Hong Kong for a trip. NICK exposes ELLA’s malicious scheme behind MICHELLE’s alleged plagiarism, and becomes aware of her ill intention. PATRICK seeks to lure NICK to his new company, but NICK rejects the offer. The incident is witnessed by MARCO’s assistant VICTOR, who informs the boss. MARCO believes that NICK plans to leave NEE and monitors his moves with a keen eye. NICK has been searching frantically for ELAINE. When he finally learns of her whereabouts, he jumps on the plane to Thailand, only to be intercepted by MARCO. But MARCO himself has got on the plane stealthily. Bewildered by the sweet talking MARCO, ELAINE embraces his love. NICK is stunned to see MARCO and ELAINE return to Hong Kong as lovers. NICK ends his working relationship with MARCO and leaves NEE. MICHELLE seeks to follow suit but meets with NICK’s vehement opposition.

Episode 14

2004-01-20 • 46 min

Following NICK’s departure, ELLA offers to take charge of the N2 project. MICHELLE has lost her confidence at work without NICK’s guidance. But KAU encourages her to face the challenges independently. NICK becomes dejected, having been dealt a heavy blow by the loss of both his love and work. As DANNY is about to return to his family abroad, he proposes to ELAINE a takeover plan of Saga. ELAINE in interested in the deal. ELLA’s harsh treatment of MICHELLE raises PHOEBE’s eyebrows. Though MAN is offered a permanent contract, he decides to give up his promising modeling career to concentrate on his studies. PHOEBE is unable to cope with the immense pressure at work and realizes that she has a flair in modeling rather than designing. She resigns from NEE to become a full-time model. ELLA has made a complete fool of MICHELLE in front of everyone. It is only then MICHELLE realizes that ELLA has been treating her as a foe.

Episode 15

2004-01-21 • 46 min

MARCO rewards ELLA’s efforts in N2’s launch party with a generous bonus. As her career has taken off, she decides to put her house-moving dream into action. With the little money she has saved up, ELLA’s choices are limited to the less attractive districts. LUNG wants to help her out financially, but meets with the opposition of PHOEBE, SHEUNG and others. ELLA decides that she would rather save up for a flat in a posh area than to live in a dodgy place. MAN’s encouragement and support eases the pains of PHOEBE’s excruciating training. Their love grows by leaps and bounds. MRS TSEUNG, the wife of a tycoon, chooses NICK to design her daughter’s wedding gown, only to find out that he has already left NEE. She thus turns to MICHELLE. The idea of MICHELLE shooting to fame overnight with a stunning piece haunts ELLA, who tries every means to make the deal fall through……

Episode 16

2004-01-22 • 46 min

ELLA transfers the tailors away from the workshop, hoping to impede the progress of the wedding gown for MRS TSEUNG’s daughter. SHEUNG is furious of her dirty tactic and gives MICHELLE a hand to meet the pressing deadline. ELLA sows further discord between MRS TSEUNG and MICHELLE by taking the design sketches to a magazine for publishing. MARCO chides MICHELLE for creating unwanted publicity hype for their client. As the boss disputes her explanation, she resolves to leave NEE. NICK turns frustration into action by setting up his own business. He has taken MICHELLE under his wing. MARCO has won a contract to organize a fashion show, which is a tie-in publicity stunt for a new property development project. ELLA and a new designer are entrusted with the duties of designing the clothes to be displayed in the show. The boss has indicated that the higher achiever will be awarded with a promotion……

Episode 17

2004-01-23 • 45 min

ELLA has become even more arrogant and self-important following her success. One by one, her friends deserts her. ELLA is overwhelmed by the sense of isolation and helplessness, comforted only by LUNG, who has stuck by her side. Moved by his love, ELLA returns his affections, but asks him to say nothing about their relationship because she does not want it to interfere with her career. But LUNG cannot conceal his exhilaration from PHOEBE, SHEUNG and others. PHOEBE is fighting an effort to compel ELLA to reveal her relationship. As time goes by, NICK has developed a genuine affection for MICHELLE. But dismayed by his bitter experience, he is too afraid to love again. Meanwhile, MICHELLE’s love for NICK fails to escape the attention of MAN and KAU, who gives her a confidence boast. NICK has plans to establish a new design house with PATRICK with a view to expand their present business scope. ELAINE accepts MARCO’s proposal……

Episode 18

2004-01-26 • 46 min

Despite the many alterations and revisions, ELAINE is still not pleased with NICK’s work. To consolidate her position in NEE, ELLA presents MARCO with the logo that NICK has designed for his new company. NICK’s logo appears on counterfeits flooding the market, which has brought irrecoverable damage to his reputation. His collaboration with PATRICK also falls through following the incident. LUNG finds out about ELLA’s scheme and becomes disillusioned by her false promise of love. ELLA tries to explain, but LUNG will not believe her words. LUNG is knocked down by a car in an ensuing fight. LUNG transfuses blood to the critically injured LUNG, and exposes their relationship as brothers. SHEUNG and CHIU blame ELLA for LUNG’s injury, even though ELLA has expressed her deep remorse. Fortunately MICHELLE lets go of old grudges and renders ELLA support in her desperation……

Episode 19

2004-01-27 • 45 min

ELLA visits LUNG in hospital secretly to avoid confronting his parents. Dejected, MARCO drinks in a bar and chances on NICK. NICK lets bygones be bygones and eases his sorrows with comforting words. MARCO offers his apologies for the counterfeits fiasco, which NICK accepts. The two men also rekindle their years-long friendship. MICHELLE puts her works on sale in an open market, and finds them selling like hot cakes. Compelled by her deep feelings for NICK, she finally tells him about her love, but NICK refrains from revealing his affection as he has yet to overcome his fear. MARCO lends a hand to NICK’s fashion show in the hope to redeem his reputation. NICK begins to see fashion with a new insight and has created a series of designs that stand out from his previous works. His new designs not only are commercial successes, but also are also critically acclaimed……

Episode 20

2004-01-28 • 46 min

MICHELLE puts aside personal affairs and focuses solely on the Young Fashion Designer Competition, hoping to show her gratitude to NICK’s coaching by winning the award. She also encourages ELLA to contend with her fair and square for the grand prize, a scholarship to undertake a course overseas. ELLA’s family and friends, including LUNG, respond to ELLA’s true penitence with forgiveness, including LUNG who is making a satisfactory recovery. MICHELLE and ELLA devote themselves to the contest, but NICK believes that the competition is by and large a very tight two-horse race. As expected, ELLA and MICHELLE snatch the grand prizes respectively. With the scholarship granted, ELLA’s wish is at last fulfilled. She is determined to wait until LUNG makes a full recovery so that she can accompany him to pursue their studies abroad, as LUNG has long wanted to……