Black Label [EN]: Chapter 221

221. Tic Toc (2)

After the watch line representatives left the conference room, Director Song pulled up a chair and asked,

“You’re going to put the produced samples on the wrists of people in the business world? What on earth are you up to now?”

“It’s just a typical celebrity marketing strategy, but the main target is slightly different.”

“This time, you’re not just using influential celebrities, but also figures from the business world?”

Jae-seung nodded and leaned against the conference table, beginning to speak.

“I can’t give you a definite answer about the rest of the people yet, but one is confirmed. Chairman Arnault of LVMH Group will definitely have one on his wrist. We’ve already finished discussing it.”

“Chairman Arnault? Really? LVMH Group has hundreds of watch models being released under its brands, so why would he?”

Jae-seung began to explain in detail.

From what he had requested to what price he had agreed to pay….

After listening to the lengthy explanation, Director Song nodded a few times and added his opinion.

“Well, if you’re giving them exclusive distribution rights, it’s definitely worth it for them. Plus, considering their distribution network, it’s not a big loss for us either.”

“Yes. It’s a ‘win-win’ situation, so to speak.”

“Wait a minute. By the way, why are you trying to meet with the chairmen of the prestigious Swiss watch groups?”

“They’re the heads of our competitors, aren’t they? We’ll be seeing them often, so we need to become friends.”

“That’s not exactly wrong, but….”

Director Song trailed off and asked again.

“That can’t be the only reason, right?”

Jae-seung nodded and smiled before answering.

“I was wondering if we could put our watches on the wrists of those great people too.”

* * *

That evening, Jae-seung held a meeting with the key employees of the design team.

Specifically, the main designers, to discuss the S/S (Spring/Summer) season mood board creation.

This is a crucial task to understand the trends of the season and determine the concept and overall atmosphere. A mood board is a collection of images, materials, pieces of text, etc. that evokes the style that the designer is aiming for.

It was a task similar to laying the foundation, and it was also an important task that determined the success or failure of the season, so the atmosphere in the office was heavy.

The previous mood board creation meetings were virtually led by Jae-seung overall.

But this S/S season meeting, what should I say?

He was simply observing the senior designers having a heated discussion from a distance.

‘The overall trend of the fashion world is flowing differently from what I remember. Now, I shouldn’t make hasty decisions and proceed based on past memories.’

Isn’t there a saying called the butterfly effect? Shortly after returning, everything proceeded in perfect agreement with my memories.

But now?

It’s like a rugby ball. You can’t guess where a dropped rugby ball will bounce.

The current trend in the fashion world was the same. Unlike before, I was in a situation where I had no choice but to think that it was necessary to accept the opinions of many people and think carefully again.

The piles of documents on the conference table and the data that the participants had prepared each showed the hard work they had put in.

Everyone was passionately debating what kind of designs other brands were preparing to show, and what kind of designs they should show to regain their glory, when.

Jae-seung carefully raised his hand and began to speak.

“I’ve been thinking about it, and I think it would be okay to prepare more boldly this season.”

Lee Sang-yoon, a design team employee who was promoted at lightning speed by introducing the ‘muscle fit & super skinny fit’ design, tilted his head slightly and asked.

“I’m really sorry, but the expression ‘boldly’ is a bit vague. Could you explain it in more detail?”

“Wallflower has succeeded in rising to the ranks of premium brands based on the last Paris Fashion Week. According to the analysis of the management strategy planning department, there is a good chance that it will be ranked in the top 10 premium brands in France.”

After finishing speaking, Jae-seung looked around at the employees and added again.

“Wallflower has already joined the ranks of leading brands that can lead trends and change trends. We will analyze and reflect the trends of the entire fashion world as much as possible, but I also think it would be better to pour out designs that clearly showcase the Wallflower brand’s unique style.”

Soon, some employees began to nod in agreement.

Even a quick look around the shopping district of Dongdaemun [a major fashion district in Seoul] reveals plenty of products made in the same shape as the silhouette that Wallflower first introduced.

It wasn’t just a domestic story. Overseas fast fashion brands such as Zara and Uniqlo were also releasing products with similar silhouettes.

Moreover, the more realistic indicator, ‘sales,’ was also telling the story of Wallflower’s rapid growth and its share of the current fashion world.

It was breaking its own record for highest sales every day.

What if a little more time passes and the exclusive distribution rights contract held by the LVMH Group is terminated?

As the number of sales outlets increases, sales will naturally increase slightly.

In particular, the production volume of the ‘Dreamer Series’ products, which were the main products of the previous season, and the ‘Muscle Fit & Super Skinny Fit’ products is being limited.

However, it was so popular that production could not keep up with sales.

“I think it would be arrogant to think that we can ignore trends. But I think it shows confidence to decide to lead the trend. I think it would be good to think about how we can lead the trend again this season.”

After finishing speaking, Jae-seung clapped his hands loudly, making a sharp sound, and added again.

“Let’s end today’s meeting here and meet again at the same time tomorrow.”

Soon, the employees who had been sitting with their necks strained began to slouch one by one.

As is usually the case with meetings, all you do is sit and talk, but it takes a lot of effort.

Everyone was packing their bags with tired faces, when.

Jae-seung, who was the first to get up from his seat, gave them words of encouragement again.

“Originally, a mood board can’t be created in a day or two, right? I know it’s hard, but I hope you’ll put in a little more effort, with the pride that the quality and shape of the clothes worn by people all over the world change according to the trends we have derived together.”

As soon as Jae-seung finished speaking, the employees smiled brightly and began to say thank you one by one, as if they had made a promise.

The conversations they have, the thoughts they refine based on them, and the subsequent decisions and actions change the fashion trends around the world?

What a fascinating thing this is!

Soon, some employees sat comfortably in their seats and began to exchange ideas that came to mind spontaneously.

With eyes shining with passion, as if they had never looked tired.

Countless things change and change depending on how you think about them.

Jae-seung, who came out of the conference room, stretched and began to walk towards the parking lot.

* * *

As soon as the meeting was over, Jae-seung headed to a ‘one-table restaurant’ not far from the office.

It was a place with its own charm, where the mother was in charge of serving and the son, who had learned to cook in Italy, was in charge of the kitchen.

“Although it’s a small restaurant, the taste is really great. It’s much better than a 320,000 won [approximately $250 USD] per person hotel restaurant.”

Ashley, who was sitting across from Jae-seung, nodded and replied.

“Yeah. I could tell just by looking at the *hors d’œuvre* [appetizer] menu. Speaking of the hotel I’m staying at, everything is great, but the food is so bad that I’m upset.”

After finishing speaking, Ashley smiled faintly and asked again.

“Lee, by the way, you look very tired today. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m okay. It’s just that work is getting busy. I’m just sorry that I can’t spend more time with you, Ashley.”

Ashley shook her head at Jae-seung’s words and replied.

“I’m fine, so don’t worry about me. And I looked at a few more places today.”

“A house? How is it? Did you find a place you like?”

“Yeah. I think it would be good to go see it together when you have time.”

Soon, the two people shared wine and began to have various conversations.

Recently, they only met briefly once every two or three days.

It is no exaggeration to say that they cherish the time when they can sit face to face and have a comfortable conversation like now.

“So I decided to work as a freelance model. I’m not going to go on the runway, but I’m going to take on photo shoots.”

“That’s a good idea. I think it’s much better than stopping your career altogether.”

“By the way, how is everything going with you, Lee? Is the season preparation going well?”

“Yeah. I started the mood board creation meeting today. We’ve crossed the starting line. The watch line is also nearing completion.”

After finishing speaking, Jae-seung held Ashley’s hand tightly and added again.

“I’ll have to go to Switzerland soon. I think it would be good to finish all the pending work and go see my parents before that.”

They hadn’t even notified them of their marriage yet. He had been putting it off, thinking that it would be better to visit them together and tell them, so it had been delayed until now.

“I’m fine, so I hope you make a decision that doesn’t interfere with your work.”

“Ashley, thank you so much for understanding.”

“It’s natural.”

“Oh.”

Jae-seung muttered softly and immediately took out his cell phone and checked the caller.

It was Chairman Arnault.

It seemed that he would have to have a conversation about work again.

As soon as Jae-seung pressed the receive button, Chairman Arnault’s voice began to be heard over the receiver.

– Lee, do you have time to talk?

“Of course.”

Jae-seung answered briefly and whispered to Ashley, “I’m sorry.”

– I just sent you the customization order by email.

“Ah, yes. As I said before, it will take a month to produce.”

– Okay. I’ll keep that in mind. And would you be available around the beginning of next month?

“Switzerland, you mean?”

– Yes. There is an event held every year by the largest auction agency in Switzerland around that time. After that event, there is a large gathering. I think you can attend with me. What is your schedule like?

“I’ll try to make it work somehow.”

After having various additional conversations, Jae-seung finished the call and immediately began to check the email sent by Chairman Arnault using the application.

Specifically, the contents of the customization order.

Soon, Jae-seung’s eyes widened as he checked the contents of the customization order.

“Huh….”