Earth ponies have their hooves in many creative pursuits but to this day the fashion industry in Equestria is dominated by unicorns. A young Plaid Saddles was lucky enough to be close enough to it, coming from a family of textile makers he sometimes got to accompany his parents on deliveries. He fell in love with the gorgeous dresses he saw, expressions of the artisans innermost dreams in every window, the sparks of joy pulled from the inspiring corners of the unicorn city. Plaid couldn’t remember a time when he wanted to do anything else. Ditsy Lace grew up under the care of butlers and maids, never really caring nor understanding where her parents got their money from. It didn’t matter when she was free to frolic and go to birthday parties with other privileged foals. She too had a bit of a fondness for dresses but mostly when she had a new dress to pick out for a special occasion.

Plaids family was incredibly grateful for his skill and did everything they could to support him. They have many joyful memories over the years, even when money was too tight to buy gifts for hearthswarming their darling colt would sew together the scraps to make them handkerchiefs and ascots. As the years went by Plaid found his situation beginning to weigh on him. There was no way he was going to break into a glamorous world in his current position. His father and mother came to him one day and sat him down, explaining that over the years things were so tight, not just because of their poor situation but because they were slowly but surely squaring away their bits for him to go to school. With his natural talent he excelled at the top of his class, impressing his professors and making many friends who would go on to become his colleagues and peers.

Sooner rather than later, money for tuition began to run out. In a last ditch effort Plaid’s father turned to his boss, appealing to the decades of work he put in for him. Graciously, him and his son were invited to dinner. While his father schmoozed and slipped in references here and there to his sons extensive portfolio, Plaid Saddles was left to wander. The boss’ daughter was wandering too. Ditsy took time from her busy schedule to notice the dashing young stallion prancing around her hallways, bumping into him on purpose.

As she got lost in his amethyst eyes and practically “mmhm”-ed him to death the conversation quickly turned to fashion and gowns. Ditsy was happy to show him the gowns in her closet. Even if it was about his pretty dream-boat hair at first Ditsy Lace found herself genuinely intrigued with what he was saying. She enjoyed a pretty flouncy gown but she had no idea that it could be so complicated. He was nothing like the bland spoiled stallions she was used to talking to, it wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy those types but he was something new. Plaid couldn’t lie the beautiful mare in front of him made it difficult to get his words straight. He sensed she wasn’t fully listening at times, but she was sweet and he bet her lips tasted even sweeter.

When he leaned in for a kiss Ditsy was shocked and took a mis-step, causing them both to tumble backwards. Their combined weights ripped and tore her beautiful gowns and the commotion signaled their fathers. Ditsys father was enraged. He only saw this klutz off the street with his hooves all over his daughter, not only that but he was destroying his home.

Before Plaid could defend himself Ditsy stepped up. He thought she hadn’t heard a word, but knowing what her father might do to him she said whatever she could. She truly saw the potential in him and begged him to give him one last chance. Lace got a little ahead of herself and offered up his services to repair the gowns. He would spend his days going to class and repairing the dresses on his breaks. Plaid was doing his work within the manor and when more trust came with time he was allowed to stay in the guest room. Every day Ditsy would accompany the workers who brought him lunch and distract him from his tasks but she was more than welcome. She was the sunshine of his life and his muse.

Before graduation the final exam required making a clothing line worthy of the most high end shops. Plaid Saddles unveiled beautiful shimmering ensembles but the crown jewel was made especially for Ditsy Lace. It was mostly white, accented with the colors of his favorite sunset, pink and peach like her mane with soft blue jewels covering panels here and there. He passed with flying colors of course and presented it once again at a party that Ditsy forced her father to throw for him.

Plaid got down on his front hooves and asked that she wear it to their wedding.

She happily obliged and soon Plaid Saddles was building his very own fashion empire, Ditsy building her social circle just like her mother before her and her grandmare before her. Before they knew it they were blessed with more than just riches.

Ditsy gave birth to twins, Sassy and Argyle Saddles. They were opposites in every way; Sassy could be an overthinker but she was always getting under the adults hooves, always wanting to help whether it was with her papas work or her mothers parties. Argyle on the other hand was a quiet and sensitive colt, incredibly cooperative and a little angel for his parents. Yet they were practically inseparable, Sassy defending her brother from every bit of teasing that would come his way.

Being doting parents the twins adored and looked up to Ditsy and Plaid. Children notice and children listen. In an almost sick parallel of society Sassy and Argyle noticed a lot of what their parents went through because they were forced through it too.

Argyle and his father stuck out like sore thumbs in high society, most ponies like them were wearing black and white and holding silver serving trays. His father was determined to make his place in the world, to not only let his work speak above all else but to give his son a good example to strive for and strive for it he did.

The Saddles son threw himself into his studies but unlike most scholars he was focused on a magic that wouldn’t truly come into fashion for some time, friendship. He was passionate about learning everything there was to know about the other ponies around him. Argyle never met non-ponies but he took in every bit he could about them, hoping to be able to make a good first impression if he was able. Yet, every time he tried to make a friend he’d be shunned so studying it would have to be the next best thing.

As a little filly the adults around her made Sassy feel as though it wasn’t her place to be bothering her father while he worked, but that didn’t exactly stop her.

She had to admit that it was fun being doted on by her mothers friends, getting compliments on her mane and getting to eat as many tea cakes as she wanted because it was oh so cute. Yet Sassy very quickly became bored. Sometimes she would rip apart pieces of gowns and save them up, begging her papa to teach her. Seeing himself in her he taught her as much as he could but insisted that she head on back when she was done.

If things would be hard for him and Argyle she could at least still find her place. Neither twin was sure it was a world they wanted to be in.

Sassy quickly noticed how other ponies would treat her mother, like she was stupid and she’d just laugh along and continue what made her happy like she didn’t notice. As she grew other ponies treated her pretty face the same. Even if she knew it wasn’t Ditsys fault she began to resent her. This resentment was the fuel for her ambition, even if it meant leaving her parents and brother behind to work from the bottom up on her very own.

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