 Fausto enters an orphanage and is initially bullied, but then makes friends with a new bunkmate, Raymond. He is apprenticed to Mietek, a tailor in the Jewish quarter, who teaches him the trade. Fausto charms everyone in the quarter, and falls in love with Tonie, the mechanic s daughter. He starts making outrageous suits for publicity and, after dressing Tonie, decides that he wants to be a famous couturier.