Fashion Is Cyclical

Ahh, MANEHATTAN! The foremost center of ART and CULTURE -- and most importantly, FASHION -- in all of Equestria! I'll be seeing those city streets soon!

I can't WAIT to recharge my creative batteries while I take in the sights, the sounds, the OUTFITS! Yes, this little trip has a very important purpose...

Not that I've been feeling STALE, per se... I could just use a little... hm, a slight brain jump-start. A clearing of the cobwebs, a...

Ah! A new hat will do the trick!!!

Quest #1: A Head Start

Now I'm ready for any classy jaunt! Oh-- wait, I just know I'm forgetting something... or somepony...

That's right! I was so caught up in my flight of fancy, I forgot darling Fluttershy will be accompanying me to Manehattan! How fun...!

I know a glitzy city trip isn't quite her idea of a good time... but there's a delightful symposium on animal shelter design at the city convention center. It will be perfect for her!

I'll go fetch Fluttershy right away... We're due to catch the train together any moment now!

Quest #2: The Duo's Day Trip!

Well, dear? Aren't you terribly excited? Manehattan is the city of new ideas, you know. I'm sure you'll get plenty of inspiration for your animal shelter renovation!

Actually, I'm... a little nervous. This is my first time getting to meet other shelter directors, and... I'm still small-time. They'll all be much more experienced than I am...

Oh, darling, you have everything to be confident about -- and you've got drive in droves! That's all you really need for running a business... or a home for critters.

Eheh... I think confidence is more YOUR thing, Rarity...

My dear, MY confidence can be bluster, but YOURS comes from quality. Now off you go! I'll check into our hotel while you trot off to your lecture...!

Wait... Wh-what is this? Everypony's wearing that tired old "Nouveau Colour" style that was all the rage when I was a filly...! I-it's... HORRIBLE! For the love of Celestia, take OFF those shoulder pads!!!

Stage #1: MAJOR Faux Pas!

Nouveau Concierge

M-ma'am, if you'd just calm down, maybe I can explain the benefits of shoulder pads. You see, they really square out my--

NO! I can't be seen here right now! I need to... UGH! It's not just the hotel; the streets are FULL of tasteless Nouveau Colour fans!

Do these fillies have any idea what fashion is? Those derivative pleats... the garish colors... the fiddly little metal snaps and un-breathable material! I'm in a NIGHTMARE!

I came to Manehattan for NEW ideas! Not rehashed nostalgia! All of you, DISPENSE WITH THE SIDE PONYTAILS!!!

Stage #2: Fashion... DON'T!

Ugh, it's no use... Style is cyclical, and everything old is new again. I just never expected it would happen so quickly! I suppose I should confer with dear Coco at my studio...

Oh, Rarity! You look, uh... What's the matter? Not a fan of the new Nouveau Colour style?

*sigh* It's more that I already KNOW it... I was hoping for new ideas, rather than rehashing old ones...

As a young designer, I was WILD about Nouveau Colour... It inspired me! Iwas on the cutting edge of the trend! Now that it's back, I feel that if I don't go backwards, I'll be left behind...

Stage #3: The Memory Catwalk...

Do you undersand, Coco? The very reason I started designing was to experience NEW things, BOLD things--

I'VE HAD IT! I'M DONE! I'M THROUGH WITH THIS!

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Fluttershy, darling, what ever is the matter?!

I-it's the seminar! I learned that there's SO much I did wrong with my shelter design! It's a wonder my little friends are still walking around and breathing!

F-Fluttershy, that's not true--

No, it is! If I'd only known back then what I know now, things would have been different...

Wait, darling... that's IT! "If you knew back then what you know now..." You know SO much more now, and so do I! Why go back, when we can go forward? I'll put a FRESH SPIN on this rehash! Come here...!

Stage #4: Like a Bolt from the Blue...!

YES! We're not repeating, we're RE-IMAGINING! We're bold! We're fresh!

Now THIS is exciting! What a great take on the style, Rarity!

Th-this is kind of a lot to take in, you two!

Let me have just one more shot, darling! The PERFECT look is coming to me!

Stage #5: Fluttershy, the Muse!

That was LIBERATING! How delightful... with my present skill and knowledge, I can change up how I would have done things the first time around!

Rarity, we should be taking this newfound energy to the stage! I can arrange for a showcase right away...

Thank you, darling! It's always a pleasure to work with you -- let's take Manehattan by storm once more! And Fluttershy, my dear... thank you, too.

W-what did I do? (Besides a bit of panicking?)

You INSPIRED me! You know, I think that with all of your experience, you could show those other ponies at the seminar a new idea or two!

Hehe... Rarity, you're very kind...

Now, introducing the fresh Rarity-Pommel take on a new old classic: Neo Nouveau Colour! Strut your stuff, fillies!

Stage #6: Neo Nouveau!

Photo Finish

Wonderful! Inspired! A smashing success! Tell me, how did you come up with this round of haute couture, Rarity?

Experience, darling! Pure experience... and some help from some of my dearest friends.

Hoity Toity

Rarity, my rare gem -- the crowd craves MORE! Tell me it isn't over!

It's far from over! I've years and years of hard work and creativity to draw from! Coco, help me prepare the models, and let's guide them gracefully down the coltwalk!

Stage #7: Everything Old Is New!

Rarity, it's amazing! Your designs are a hit!

They're OUR designs, darling. I couldn't have done this without your nimble hooves and endless support!

Looks like you broke through your creative block, Rarity... I'm happy...!

Oh, but Fluttershy! Tell me, how was the rest of the symposium?

Well... I think you managed to inspire me, just as much as you said I inspired you... But I'll tell you all about it after the show. Hehe!

Stage 8: Magic Chest

(When this limited-time siege ended)

Fluttershy, what's this flyer? Are you starting your own animal shelter symposium?!

I-it's not anything so grand! I just thought-- I mean, you made me remember that I DO have a lot of experience, a-and I have a lot I could teach others!

So, you know, if anypony wanted to start their own animal shelters, too... Maybe they could learn from my mistakes, and my triumphs, and get some inspiration...!