Black Label [EN]: Chapter 198

Black Label 197

198. A Double-Edged Sword

After receiving the collection schedule from the Paris Fashion Week officials, a heavy silence settled.

Jaeseung, Director Song, and Nam Gwangmin were all unable to speak easily.

Toc, toc, toc.

Jaeseung, who was drumming his fingers on the table, suddenly let out a long breath and began to speak.

“Sitting here and brooding won’t solve anything. How about we get up and do something?”

Director Song, replying with a quick, “Okay…,” was the first to get up, his tone deliberately bright. “When you think about it, things have been going too smoothly so far, right? It would be stranger if we hadn’t hit any snags.”

Was it the sheer weight of overlapping bad luck? Everyone was trying to appear calm, but it wasn’t easy.

Soon, the three of them left the cafe in the hotel lobby, walking side by side.

* * *

Jaeseung and Nam Gwangmin’s next stop was the Tuileries Garden, the venue for the Paris Fashion Week collection.

The plan was to observe the outdoor stage setup and visualize the final appearance.

But…

Unlike Nam Gwangmin, who was intently watching the installation process, Jaeseung was glued to his smartphone.

“Yes, this is Lee.”

Magazines he had some connection with, columnists, designers, representatives from famous brands, buyers, investors, even models he’d worked with in the past…

The calls came one after another, as if prearranged.

The reason? Simple. Everyone seemed to be calling to commiserate with Wallflower over its ‘worst possible draw’.

A man on the other end, ‘Marc Jacobs’, after saying, “How have you been? It’s me,” chuckled mischievously. “I heard Wallflower gets to kick off Paris Fashion Week with the first collection on the first day?”

“That’s right. At this rate, I’ll have received a lifetime’s worth of sympathy in a single day. The schedule’s barely been out for hours, and I’m already on my eighteenth consolation call.”

Jaeseung replied dryly, and Marc Jacobs laughed again. “Wait! Consolation? Did you think I’d take time out of my busy schedule just to offer empty words of comfort?”

“Really? What else could it be?”

“I’m calling to tease you, of course. When else would I get the chance?”

“Damn it, I’m hanging up.”

Though his tone was sharp, he wasn’t truly angry.

He knew Marc Jacobs’ personality; he wouldn’t call just to mock him.

“Hearing you shout, you’re not in complete despair.”

“Of course not. Just a little overwhelmed.”

“Good. Don’t be too pessimistic. This bad luck is actually drawing attention to you.”

Jaeseung nodded silently. Marc Jacobs was right.

Thanks to the unfortunate draw, Wallflower’s name was popping up in fashion-related online communities and webzines whenever Paris Fashion Week was mentioned.

“In my opinion, it’s better than being stuck with an unremarkable slot.”

“Hardly comforting, but thanks anyway.”

Marc Jacobs’ tone turned playful, almost mocking. “Lee, remember when I told you not to bother with Paris Fashion Week? If you’d debuted in New York, you could be working with your friends here. This is a curse from the New York fashion gods, punishing ‘traitors’. Hehehe.”

Jaeseung had made a name for himself in the fashion world thanks to his successful work on Alexander King’s season, a premium brand.

He’d debuted as a designer in the New York fashion scene, as Marc Jacobs pointed out.

“Actually, New York was just my debut. I’ve done more official work in France, right? Christian Dior and Janelle. My position is more established here, so it was the logical choice.”

“True enough. Don’t take it to heart; I’m just teasing. The LA crew desperately wants you back in the New York scene. We need more influential designers like you to help the industry grow.”

Marc Jacobs paused, humming thoughtfully. “Actually, the real reason I called is that I know someone who could be a huge help to you and your brand.”

“Someone who can help me?”

“Yeah. The four major fashion weeks happen two or three times a year, right? That means a dozen or so brands are stuck with opening the show each season.”

“That’s right. So?”

“While it’s rare, some of those brands have actually done quite well, despite the disadvantage.”

Marc Jacobs took a breath, his tone turning serious. “There’s a freelance VMD [Visual Merchandiser – someone who designs and arranges displays] I’ve known for a while. He’s a specialist in outdoor stage direction. The ‘exceptional cases’ I know often involved him.”

“Exceptional cases?”

“Brands that received high praise despite opening the show. His name is Kai Greene, and he’s very interested in your collection.”

“So, you’re saying a VMD named Kai Greene is interested in designing our Paris Fashion Week stage?”

“Exactly. I didn’t bring it up. He called me as soon as the schedule was released, asking for your contact information.”

“Did you give it to him?”

“Not yet. I wanted your permission first. Would you be open to a conversation, maybe a simple consultation?”

“I’m all for it. You must be busy preparing for the end of New York Fashion Week. Thanks for thinking of me.”

“Lee, let me be clear, it’s not because I care. He approached me. But his reason for wanting to work with you is interesting. I assumed it was because of your career and past work.”

“And?”

“He found the history of the Wallflower brand interesting, but the deciding factor was your own VMD.”

Jaeseung asked, “Yes…?” and glanced at Nam Gwangmin, who was standing some distance away.

Nam Gwangmin was still silently observing the installation of the outdoor stage in the Tuileries Garden.

As Jaeseung stared at Nam Gwangmin, Marc Jacobs continued, “Anyway, I’ll email you Kai’s portfolio and contact information. I’ll see you at the collection.”

“At the collection? Are you sure you can make it?”

He asked because Marc’s brand, ‘Marc Jacobs’, was participating in New York Fashion Week, which was just around the corner.

He knew how busy Marc was.

After a moment of silence, Marc Jacobs replied quietly, “It’s not just because of our friendship. You’re a talented designer on the verge of dominating the mainstream market, and Wallflower is the most promising new brand, right? It’s only professional to make time to see your collection, no matter what.”

“Thank you for the kind words, but that’s too much praise.”

“Think what you want. I’ll probably be with Alexander, so save two front-row tickets. I’m hanging up now.”

“Okay. Thanks, Marc.”

After ending the call, Jaeseung approached Nam Gwangmin. “Have you ever heard of a VMD named ‘Kai Greene’?”

Nam Gwangmin tilted his head. “I’m sorry, I don’t think so. The name sounds vaguely familiar, but I might be imagining it…”

“It’s not common for VMDs to be famous, right? I was just asking.”

“Why him?”

As Nam Gwangmin looked at Jaeseung with curiosity, Jaeseung shrugged. “If we’re lucky, he might be our savior.”

* * *

“Lee, nice to meet you. I’m Kai Greene. Just call me ‘Kai’.”

Kai, a black man in a suit, smiled brightly, revealing his teeth, and offered a handshake.

Jaeseung gripped Kai Greene’s hand tightly. “It’s an honor to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

What to say about Kai Greene? He was the opposite of what Jaeseung had imagined.

In his early 40s, he was so skinny he looked frail.

The suit seemed too big, adding to his disheveled appearance.

“I’m surprised you got here so quickly. I heard you were living in New York…”

“Ah, if I’d waited for a call and flown here, it would have taken at least ten more hours. I was already in Paris, here to see this Fashion Week.”

Kai Greene answered briefly, looked around, and asked quietly, “Will I get to meet the VMD who designed Janelle’s season today?”

“He’ll be here soon. He’s still finishing up some work. I heard you were interested in our VMD…”

“Yes. Don’t worry, I don’t have any romantic intentions.”

Kai Greene picked up his briefcase and continued, “Anyway, don’t worry too much. Opening the show is a double-edged sword. It can be a brand’s ‘tomb,’ or it can create a strong impression as a ‘pioneer’.”

“I see. Thank you.”

“I mean it. If you make a strong impression opening the show, you can bury all the brands that follow. And if we’re optimistic…”

Kai Greene trailed off, adjusted his rimless glasses, and added, “Considering everything, Lee’s brand ‘Wallflower’ has the potential to bury everyone else.”

Kai Greene finished with a confident tone, then gave a wry smile.

Jaeseung stared into Kai Greene’s eyes.

They shone brightly with conviction in the fluorescent light.