Oh, thank you so much for helping me
with these flyers, Spike.
I'm so lucky you just happened to be walking past the boutique.
Yeah, right...
just "happened to be walking past... "
Ha-ha...
♪♪
What'cha got here?
"Lost dog?" "Balloons for sale?" "Guitar lessons?"
'Cause I found one, I need some and yes, I am interested.
[wailing]
No, it's a call for submissions.
Fashion contest I'm organizing.
A showcase for aspiring young designers.
Oh, wow!
What an awesome idea.
Thank you.
I remember how difficult it was to break into the fashion
industry when I was starting out.
That's why the winner of the contest
will get to debut their line in the Carousel Boutique!
So selfless.
So generous.
I've also managed to get esteemed fashion critic
Hoity Toity and iconic fashion photographer Photo Finish
to come to Ponyville and judge the show.
And wait until you hear who else is will be a judge.
Countess Coloratura?
Sassy Saddles?
Spike?
No.
The third judge for the Carousel Boutique's Couture du Futur
Fashion Contest is none other than...
Applejack!
What!?
What?
♪ My little pony, my little pony ♪
♪ Aaaahhh ♪
♪ My little Pony ♪
♪ I used to wonder what friendship could be. ♪
♪ My Little Pony ♪
♪ Until you all shared its magic with me. ♪
♪ Big adventure! ♪ ♪ Tons of fun ♪
♪ A beautiful heart! ♪ ♪ Faithful and strong! ♪
♪ Sharing kindness ♪ ♪ it's an easy feat ♪
♪ And magic makes it all complete! ♪
♪ To have my little pony ♪
♪ Do you know you're all my very best friends? ♪
♪♪
What?!
You already said that, darling.
I know. But I had to say it again
because that's how confused I am.
You want me to judge a fashion show?
I'm sure Rarity has her reasons and once we hear them,
all of this will make sense.
I admit, Applejack is an unorthodox choice.
But that is precisely what makes her an inspired choice.
See? Now it all...
still doesn't make any sense.
Hoity Toity has expertise in fabric and stitchwork.
Photo Finish has an artistic eye for shapes and colors.
But sometimes we designers forget about practicality!
That's where you come in.
Uh, I think I might be a little too "practical."
My closet's nothing but twenty versions of this hat.
Which tells me you're a pony who knows what she likes.
Besides, a judge must be honest
and you're the most honest pony there is.
Ask any pony, they'll tell you.
Ooh! Let me try!
'Scuse me.
Have you ever heard of Applejack?
The most honest pony there is?
Sure have.
See?
So, what do you say?
Well, if I'm bein' honest...
I don't think I'm the right pony for the job.
Fashion just ain't my bag of oats.
Aw Booooooo!
I do understand your hesitation.
But before you say no, sleep on it?
Sure.
I guess I can do that for you.
♪♪
Yeah I know, Big Mac!
I was just as surprised as you are.
I mean, can you imagine me judgin' a fashion show?
I'd do it!
It sounds like fun getting to see all those pretty outfits.
Well, you're the exception in our family, sugar cube.
You know about that kind of stuff.
I'd be as useful as a burr knot on a sapling tree.
[grunt]
Although, Rarity did say I just had to focus on practicality.
She already has experts for the...
fashion-y stuff.
But I still wouldn't know what to say.
[crash]
[clatter]
Come on, Apple Bloom, you're doubling our work here.
Sorry.
I wanted to wear a signature hat like yours,
but it's making it harder to see.
That's because it's not like mine.
You don't need a fancy scarf to keep your hat on.
Now you can see.
♪♪
Hyah!
Wow! That is a lot better.
Thanks, Applejack.
Sure thing.
You know what?
I am gonna help Rarity judge her show.
I think my sensible, everypony take on fashion
is exactly what the pony community needs.
Rarity, I thought about it some more
and if you still need me, I'd love to be a judge.
Oh, I just knew you'd come around!
I, Photo Finish...
have arrived!
As has Hoity Toity.
It's wonderful to see you!
Kiss.
Kiss!
Thank you both so much for doing this!
[kisses]
We missed you at Miss Pommel's debut in Manehattan last week.
Miss Pommel is showing?
I thought she was still making costumes.
You haven't heard?
Everypony who is anypony is talking about it.
[knock knock]
Oh, my.
They're absolutely stunning.
It sure is great to hear Miss Pommel is doing so well.
Who is this who speaks?
Oh, this is Applejack.
Another one of the judges.
So, judge.
What do you think?
Oh, wow...
that is just...
wow.
These are clothes?
The photo is upside-down.
This is...
she looks like a disco ball.
Did they have to roll her down the runway?
Ha ha ha!
I can't believe anypony would actually wear this.
Am I right?
Oh, my!
I faint!
Ha ha.. uh.. so funny.
Oh, gosh, I didn't mean to make her faint.
Oh, don't worry about it, darling.
Happens all the time.
Besides, that dress did look a bit like a disco ball.
Although, Miss Pommel is making the point
that no matter what we wear,
it is a costume of some kind or another.
I have no idea what you're talkin' about.
And that's OK!
Let's go meet the designers and help them
get ready for the show!
De-signers!
Welcome!
Today you will work on your designs and we judges will offer
our guidance and advice as you prepare for tomorrow's big show!
[chattering]
Lily Lace, tell us about your inspiration.
You guys.
This morning on my way here?
I heard a bird singing lit'rally the most beautiful song
I'd ever heard and I wanted to capture
not so much the bird's song exactly?
But more like how the wind carried the bird's song.
Powerful, yet at the same time fragile and delicate.
Uh.. Huh?
Next up, meet Starstreak.
I'm not interested in what's already been done,
only what will exist in the future.
Tomorrow's fashion belongs to those who hear it coming.
I am Inky Rose.
You have a very focused vision.
A strong sense of what you want is good.
Applejack, you've been rather quiet.
What do you think?
Well, it's a lot of black.
It's kind of...
depressing.
How's this?
Makes a world of difference!
Maybe to fashion experts like you,
but to ponies like me, it's still black.
And I'm not sure how you wear singing birds or the future.
I don't think they liked what I had to say.
Well, that's why you're here.
Fashion needs a healthy dose of practicality now and then.
Are you puttin' holes in the clothes...
on purpose?
It's to create a distressed look.
More like an "old and tattered" look.
When a pony's old clothes get holes in 'em,
they don't want to go to the store to buy new clothes...
with holes in 'em.
OK, yes, not a very practical choice.
Fashionable, but not practical.
Simply stunning.
Sure it looks pretty, but that's a lot of fabric.
With the way it drags behind,
it'll be covered in dirt in no time.
Thank goodness I'm here.
Otherwise we'd've had holes in clothes and dirty dresses.
Of course, no look is complete without mane and make-up!
So when are you gonna do her mane?
Uh! It's already been done!
You know what?
I think we've given the designers enough guidance
for today.
Let's.. uh.. let them finish their work.
Can't wait to see what ya'll do for the big show tomorrow!
[indignant chatter]
[nervous giggle]
[door closes]
♪♪
Hey, Applejack.
On your way home?
How'd the first day of the contest go?
Great!
At first, I didn't think I'd be much help,
but thank goodness I signed on!
Without me, they'd be doin' all kinds of crazy fashiony things!
♪ [out of tune strum] ♪
Hey, Rarity.
Applejack says the contest is going great!
Good thing she's there, huh?
Yes. Of course.
Some of her thoughts are tough to swallow,
but hopefully her candor will help the designers
achieve the best designs possible.
You seem a little stressed.
Wanna try?
Music is very relaxing!
Sure.
♪ [solo rock guitar] ♪
Ah, much better.
♪♪
I can meet my goals!
Today is a fresh start.
Good morning, everypony!
Time for final adjustments before the show!
If buttons could convey sadness, you've done it.
To me, they convey waking up an hour early
just to button them all!
And that's if you could reach most of 'em.
Is this better?
There ya go.
Now when it's cold, you just slide it on ya and you're set.
Like a poncho.
Umm. "Poncho."
I attached each feather individually.
It took me for- lit'rally -ever.
Oh, you used hoof-crossed double-over stitches!
They're perfect!
Who cares if it's stitched perfectly?
You don't need feathers on your head.
[outraged cries]
My little sister tried to add some flair to her hat
and guess what it got her?
An extra hour of work pickin' apples off the ground.
A good start, but it needs more.
No...
Yes!
I'd go with this one.
No! This one!
[Applejack laughing]
Something is funny?
What? Oh, no. It's just...
I mean, those belts look the same.
That one completely changes the look.
This one compliments it.
You're kidding, right?
Is everything OK?
They're having a heated debate about those two belts.
Oooh, both good choices.
No! There is no choice!
They're the exact same belt!
This is so silly!
Fashion is ridiculous!
[gasp]
You don't mean that.
I do.
I'm sorry but that's my honest opinion.
Well, I never would have come
if I knew we were going to be insulted.
We go!
No, please! Come back!
If they're out, I'm out too.
I didn't get into fashion to design boring,
utilitarian clothes.
I want to create elegance and drama?
And this is lit'rally the opposite of...
I mean, I can't even...
Yeah, no.
[sobbing]
What?
I was just bein' honest!
[grunts]
Stop everything!
There is no show!
Take it all down!
Rarity, what's going on?
Is everything OK?
No!
It is the opposite of OK.
The judges have quit; the designers have dropped out;
the show is cancelled!
All my good intentions, squashed!
[sobbing]
And it's all Applejack's fault!
Why are you mad at me?
I was just sayin' what I thought.
And isn't that why you wanted me to be a judge?
For my honesty?
Of course.
But you said fashion is ridiculous!
But it's my opinion.
And I'm not gonna lie.
Come with me!
[knock knock]
Oh, Rarity.
What a nice surprise.
Hello Strawberry Sunrise, this is Applejack.
I was wondering if you could tell her how you feel
about apples?
Don't like 'em.
What? Why?
They're crunchy, they're sweet, they're delicious.
They're not strawberries.
You're right.
Apples are better than strawberries.
Only if by "better" you mean "better at being disgusting."
You'd better apologize!
Oh, I'm sorry...
that you actually bite into those tasteless,
mealy, worm-filled things.
What?
[growl]
Applejack!
Why are you so angry?
It's just Strawberry's honest opinion.
What's wrong with that?
Well, that's fine if she doesn't like 'em,
but if she knew how hard we work to make our apples perfect,
maybe she wouldn't be so mean about it--Oooooh.
Oh, boy.
Mmm-hmm.
Doesn't feel so good, does it?
No.
No, it does not at all.
I am so sorry, Rarity.
I got so carried away with bein' honest,
I guess I didn't think about how I was makin' others feel.
I'm a real rotten apple.
I appreciate that, Applejack.
That means a lot.
I just wish you'd realized it
before you ruined the fashion show!
♪♪
I need to get some of these.
It's the only way to travel.
What are you doing?
Canterlot is that way.
Yep but you're not goin' back to Canterlot yet.
Hey!
What is she...
I don't know.
Run!
Listen, y'all.
I thought I was just bein' honest
when I said all those things,
but somepony helped me realize I was actually bein' hurtful.
So for that, I apologize.
So you don't think fashion is ridiculous?
Well... I... still don't understand it,
but I appreciate how much it means to y'all
and how much hard work you put into it.
I also know this contest is important to Rarity.
So what do you say?
I'd hate to have come all this way here
and not see what you can do.
If they're judging, we're in.
Under one condition.
Literally.
Anything.
Untie us.
Show's back on, fellas!
[groan]
♪♪
Ah!
♪♪
[crash]
[laughter]
♪♪
Uh uh.
♪♪
Uh huh.
♪♪
... and then Applejack found me and told me to distract you
for an hour but the hour's up!
Ta da!
But... how?
They were all leaving...
This was all coming down.
You can thank Applejack.
She lit'rally did it all by herself.
I don't think that word means what you think it means.
But I did bust my tail because I know how much this means to you.
Ohh!
Thank you, Applejack.
We start now!
First up, Lily Lace!
♪♪
Starstreak!
♪♪
Inky Rose!
♪♪
And now it's time to vote.
I am drawn to the beauty and drama of fashion
and no pony does drama better than Lily Lace.
So I vote for her.
It means soooo much to me, I literally can't even...
Simplicity is the keynote of true elegance.
That is why I vote for Inky Rose.
You've made me so happy.
Fashion is the art!
I, Photo Finish, vote for Starstreak!
Wonderful to hear, darling.
Well, it all comes down to you, Applejack.
Can you believe it!
After everything that's happened,
Applejack is the deciding vote!
Ah! This is so exciting!
Well, Applejack?
Uh, uh...
Lily Lace's clothes go here, Inky Rose's will go there
and Starstreak's there.
Sorry, but I couldn't pick just one.
They all did great and in my opinion,
they all deserve to win.
And I agree.
I told you your perspective would be beneficial.
Is this one of your new designs, Rarity?
It's, uh...
the form is reminiscent of...
I mean, it conjures up images of...
Well, uh..I mean...
Oh, that?
No, I totally messed that one up.
It's ghastly.
Horrid.
Absolutely terrible.
Oh, thank goodness.
Cause in my honest opinion, it's awful.
[hearty laughter]
When you're right, you're right.