Minako was handed the ribbon cutting scissors. She cut the ribbon, and everyone applauded. Before being converted into its current state, it had been a palace belonging to a third cousin of hers. It was now the Kin'iro School of Fashion. Venus was one of the fashion capitals of the galaxy, after only the Moon.
In the giant foyer was a portrait of Minako in court dress. Her coronation and wedding dresses in display cases on either side of it.
"You know, I never really noticed those dresses."said Kunzite.
"Of course not. You weren't at my coronation when I was crowned, so you didn't see my coronation dress. Unless you were part of the crowd. As for my wedding dress, I can't believe you don't remember that dress!"
"It just doesn't really look the same without you to grace it. I'm sure the same is true for the coronation dress."
They went through to the gallery to the different displays. There were different galleries with different fashions from different planets and different time periods.
"This is more of a museum than a school. I wouldn't mind studying here."said Makoto.
"They will also be designing costumes for plays and theater performances. Them and the Historical Academy, and Art Society! It will make for the best performances in the galaxy!"said Minako.
One of the biggest exhibits were the girdles. A painting of Aphrodite's own girdle hung from one wall. That was something that never went out of fashion on Venus. Perhaps the designs changed, but girdles were always fashionable. Especially chain girdles.
"The chain girdles went out of fashion once, would you believe it?"Minako said. "Venus IV did not fancy it!"
"What did she wear for her coronation, then?"
"She wore Aphrodite's girdle, obviously, but other than that, she preferred clothed belts. Those were more fashionable then the chain belts at her court."
"You should have lent Aphrodite's girldle for the opening."said Ami.
"You think Aphrodite's girdle should have left the palace when it was not on my person?"asked Minako, looking horrified. "Anything were to happen to my ancestress's girdle, I would never forgive myself."
"I like the one jeweled with all the five petal flowers."said Makoto. "Even the buckle."
Five, Aphrodite's own number.
"That one must surely win!"continued Makoto.
Afterwards, several contestants would be wearing and modeling the girdles. The four princesses would be the judges.
At another display were the hats.
"So Mercurian."said Rei, observing a hat with feathers, looking like wings, a design popular on Mercury. "But that is more a headband than an actual hat."
On Mercury, it was practically a lack of respect to not wear any headwear at court, or even anywhere else, even indoors. While on other planets, the ladies wore hats or hatinators outdoors, on Mercury, hats were worn indoors, as well. Right now, one of Ami's ladies was holding her hat. Just like with Aphrodite's girdle, hats were so on Mercury. Shoes, as well, so Mercurian ladies did not wear their dresses with the hems to the ground.
"I wish I were wearing a headband, at least. I feel so…odd, bareheaded."said Ami.
"It does give the impression that the wearer would be walking very fast."observed Minako about the headband. "With the wings, you would just have to walk past, and it would seem like you were hurrying. You'd just need the wings on the shoes."
Mercurian ladies usually wore matching hats and shoes.
"These feathers look more as if they were holding you down, not helping you speed up."
Indeed, one of the hats had such long wings that they almost resembled a veil.
"They almost make a train!"
"It's almost time for the fashion show to start, and we're judging! I hope there'll be something lovely being auctioned!"said Rei.
"Do you plan to buy something?"asked Makoto.
She nodded.
"Everything looks lovely, however. I might not be able to decide on what. Ah, decisions, decisions."