Salut,
I'm with Frank C. and Justin H. The "Helene" hint must be a mistake, as it doesn't seem to apply to the narrative.
I was also thrown off a bit by the hint to use the masculine form for "designers". I used "stylistes" which is both masc. and fem., as are the terms "designer" and "modeliste". However, "createur/creatrice" and "couturier/couturiere" do have the different masc. and fem forms.
Otherwise, a fun exercise and I learned a new expression: "un leger vent de panique".
Bonne Continuation