The Eliott sisters are at odds over the future direction of their fashion house. While they agree to launch their own designs within 6 months, they cannot agree on the style of clothing that will differentiate them from other couturier. Bea wants to stick to more conservative, traditional designs while Evie is all for trying something new and radical. As well, things are not going well in the sewing room. Tilly seems to be seriously ill with severe headaches and the quality of her work is suffering. Madge has been re-doing much of Tilly's work and is fed up to the point that she is looking for employment elsewhere. Penelope Maddox has worked herself into her sickbed trying to get her mission up and running.

The sisters are working furiously towards finalizing their collection of original works. The growing affection between Bea and Jack is obvious leading him to ask her a very important question. Bea and Evie are thrilled when they meet Victor Stride, a renowned fashion journalist who takes a great interest in their work. The article his magazine publishes, over his own objections, links the House of Eliott to the distasteful activities of their cousin Arthur and threatens the fashion launch. Jack Maddox finds a backer for his film. The Mission founded by Penelope Maddox takes on a new administrator who has her own idea of how things should be run. Penelope agrees to the holding of a charity ball as a fund raiser but then proceeds to berate all those present for attending. Madge crosses the line when she takes on work privately but then uses some of the girls in the sewing room to complete the work. She also learns a lesson in the risks of running her own business.