1988 (#5) - Clarke's talent and success at Kristen's fashion show

Kristen is literally speechless when Clarke shows him some of his work. Impressed by the man's talent and talents, Kristen promises Clarke to show his models to her father; and fearing that his dislike of the man might distort his judgment, she passes them off as her own. And in fact, recognizing a truly remarkable style in those sketches, Eric is very impressed with the models and, proud of the fact that his daughter is the author, immediately promises her that he will make the dresses in time for the next fashion show. In the meantime, Eric himself becomes increasingly skeptical about Clarke, not hiding his fear that the man might hurt Kristen; a thought that unites him with Ridge and Stephanie herself, who begins to regret having pushed an opportunistic person like Clarke into her daughter's arms. But despite the skepticism that surrounds her, and the latent thought of being used by Clarke only in order to become the first designer of Forrester, Kristen continues to strenuously defend her man, claiming her choices the decision to stay with him. After all, even after the warning of Ridge, who warns him not to hurt his sister, is the same Clarke to reassure Kristen that his feelings are really genuine. Meanwhile, the long-awaited day of the Forrester Creations fashion show arrives. Kristen, who has let slip to Stephanie the fact that the real author of the dresses is Clarke, struggles to hide her nervousness, especially after the same Stephanie has not failed to warn Clarke not to reveal for no reason in the world nor to the press nor to Eric the truth about who designed the clothes. Nervousness that, backstage, also leaks out in the relationship between the two increasingly distant Eric and Stephanie as well as between Thorne and Caroline, at their first fashion show as married and with Caroline as press agent who does not fail to be teased by Ridge, who does not forget to remind her of her marriage proposal of a year before. Absolutely annoyed by this attitude is of course Thorne, who sides with his father even with regard to Ridge's proposal, with the latter showing his firm belief that selling their models even in a more commercial environment is an excellent marketing strategy and with Thorne who instead considers this move absurd since it would tarnish the image and the Forrester brand. Despite all these tensions, however, at the end of the show turns out to be as expected a great success, with Kristen acclaimed on stage with a radiant Eric and Clarke enjoying his private moment of glory hidden behind a curtain with Margot. Despite the fact that no one, if anyone, still recognizes his talent, Clarke is perfectly aware that it was only a matter of time before: he would soon reach his goal, that of becoming the most famous and sought-after fashion designer in the world.