Black Label [EN]: Chapter 130

130. 2013 CFDA Fashion Awards

New Designer of the Year Award.

It was something I hadn’t even considered.

If I didn’t win this time, wouldn’t it be an award I might never receive, no matter how long I toiled in this industry?

Gulp.

As the hope of possibly obtaining it grew, so did the intensity of my ambition.

Is this why they say you can fill the sea, but not human greed?

At least, it’s an award that designers who debut with the title of ‘genius’ are expected to have.

I want it. It seemed like no other thought entered my mind.

“How about it? Getting interested?”

At Mark Jacobs’ quiet question, I nodded once and replied,

“I don’t know about other awards, but the ‘New Designer of the Year Award’ is really tempting.”

“Then I’ll have to pray with you.”

The moment Mark Jacobs finished speaking and chuckled.

The host in charge of this awards ceremony appeared on the stage at the front of the hall.

– We would like to express our gratitude to all the distinguished guests who attended the 2013 CFDA Fashion Awards. The awards ceremony will begin shortly. Distinguished guests, please be seated in your assigned seats. I’ll say it again. It will start soon….

After listening to the announcement that the awards ceremony would begin soon for a moment.

I took a deep breath and looked around at the ‘family’ sitting around the same table.

Director Song was just sitting up straight, pretending to be nonchalant.

It was clear that she was trying hard to pretend to be indifferent, but it seemed she couldn’t completely hide her nervousness.

Perhaps her lips were parched, as she was unconsciously licking her lower lip.

The employees were the same.

They couldn’t hide their excitement and were glancing at the famous designers around them, exchanging whispers among themselves.

It’s been three years since I experienced the strange phenomenon of regression. It’s a short time if you say it’s short, and quite a long time if you say it’s long….

But in my experience, it felt like it passed in the blink of an eye.

The starting point was the old, used sewing machine I bought with the pocket money I received from my mother.

The first self-produced products that I launched with great care, and the first office that I moved into with excitement.

And from there, to the current design team employees whom I met for the first time.

As I sat there blankly, countless events that had happened flashed through my mind like a panorama.

The small street brand that started in such a poor environment has now grown quite a bit.

After going through a long tunnel-like time, we are now able to sit together at a table at the CFDA Fashion Awards.

As I was immersed in such pleasant thoughts.

“Jaeseung.”

Director Song, who was sitting next to me, said in a gentle tone.

It had been a long time since she called me by my name instead of ‘President’.

I looked at her face, wondering if she was going to say something important, and Director Song held my hand tightly and continued.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be alright.”

After briefly replying, “Thank you,” I looked around the venue.

The hall was filled with famous designers whom I had met during the 2013 Parsons·F.I.T competition. [Parsons School of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology, two prestigious design schools in New York City]

Considering that most of the designers currently active in the New York fashion world are from Parsons or F.I.T, it was a natural situation.

I wanted to greet them happily right away, but since the awards ceremony was about to begin, all I could do was exchange eye contact from my seat.

Also, at the tables placed right in front of the stage, so-called ‘big shots’ were sitting together in groups of three or five.

For example, Professor Edin Thomas, who is the highest authority at Parsons Design School, and Professor Christopher Cho of F.I.T, his eternal rival….

Then.

The lights that were illuminating the venue slowly began to ‘fade out’, and the host’s voice began to flow through the speakers.

– We have been waiting for a long time. Before we officially begin the awards ceremony, we would like to thank the distinguished guests who visited the 2013 CFDA Fashion Awards.

The moment the host finished speaking, the long pin lights began to brightly illuminate the stage.

On the stage.

A middle-aged white man in a blue tuxedo was smiling leisurely, lightly waving the hand holding the cue sheet.

Perhaps he was quite a famous person, as whistles and applause began to be heard from all over the place as soon as he appeared.

Unable to contain my doubts, I looked at Mark Jacobs, who explained in a low voice as if whispering.

“Tom Carter. He’s a pretty famous stand-up comedian.”

“A stand-up comedian?”

Mark Jacobs nodded once and continued to speak.

“Originally, the ‘CFDA Fashion Awards’ was known for being a boring event. Perhaps they wanted to break away from that image, so they’ve been trying various unconventional things since last year’s awards ceremony.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Chairman Stephen Cove himself said that this year’s awards ceremony performance will be something to look forward to?”

After finishing speaking, Mark Jacobs shrugged his shoulders lightly and added in a pessimistic tone.

“Of course, we’ll have to see until the end. Actually, last year’s awards ceremony performance was terrible.”

A boring schedule continued for a while. After the introductory video introducing the history and purpose of the awards ceremony was played, Chairman Stephen Cove took the stage.

Just as I was guessing that he would give a brief speech before officially starting the awards ceremony.

The host Tom Carter suddenly jumped out and snatched the microphone.

– Wait, wait. Let me make it clear, in order for the CFDA Fashion Awards to become an entertaining event, it would be better to skip this boring process.

Soon, Chairman Stephen Cove began to pretend to be bewildered as planned.

Then, Tom Carter continued to proceed fluently.

– After receiving an offer from the CFDA [Council of Fashion Designers of America], I watched the previous awards ceremony videos over and over again to identify the chronic problems of this awards ceremony. First of all, it’s too long. I think it’s necessary to simplify the entire process.

The moment Tom Carter snapped his fingers.

Several staff members dragged a large, sealed glass container onto the stage.

The glass container was in a state where there was just enough space for one person to sit inside.

Then, Tom Carter gently patted Chairman Stephen Cove and continued to speak.

– Chairman, please come inside.

Everyone couldn’t hide their doubts and stared intently at the stage.

Everything began to be processed quickly.

Chairman Stephen Cove had no choice but to enter the glass container as if being carried away by the staff, and as soon as he entered the glass container, the staff locked the door.

And then.

– In order to simplify the awards ceremony, I had no choice but to make a somewhat extreme decision. The glass container that Chairman Stephen Cove has just entered is a completely sealed space. Surprisingly, it is in a state where only about an hour and a half of oxygen has been injected.

The moment he finished speaking, a ‘timer’ was displayed on the beam project installed behind the stage.

[ 01 : 30 : 00 ]

[ 01 : 29 : 59 ]

[ 01 : 29 : 58 ]

Before long, the audience realized the meaning of the time displayed by the timer and burst into laughter.

In the middle, there were applause, cheers, and even whistles.

Then, Tom Carter continued the proceedings in a nonchalant tone.

– Then, let’s start the 2013 CFDA Fashion Awards right away. Those of you who may be honored with the award may want to practice a ‘short acceptance speech’ in your mind.

After finishing speaking, he winked playfully and added.

– If you are worried about the safety of Chairman Stephen Cove, who is respected and loved by many people.

In such a cheerful atmosphere, the CFDA Fashion Awards began, and the awards in a total of 12 categories began to proceed smoothly and coolly.

A short video introducing the nominees for each category was played on the large screen behind the stage, and then the awards were presented in a simple format.

After about an hour had passed, the awards in almost all categories had come to an end.

‘Thom Browne’ won the Men’s Designer of the Year award, and ‘Ash Gold’ won the Women’s Designer of the Year award.

‘Philip Wayne’ won the Accessories Designer of the Year award, and ‘Ricardo Tisci’, the director of the premium brand Givenchy, won the International Awards.

Then, just as a video introducing the nominees for the Haute Couture category was being played.

Mark Jacobs asked a question in a low voice, as if whispering.

“It’s amazing, even when I see it again.”

“I agree.”

After replying in an intentionally dry tone, I shifted my gaze back to the screen. The show video from the 2013 Parsons·F.I.T competition was being played on the large screen.

As I watched the models confidently walking down the runway and the haute couture outfits that contained enormous effort, what should I say?

Should I say that the emotion of that time seemed to surge in my heart again?

When the video that was being played came to an end, applause, both high and low, was heard from all over the audience.

And.

– The winner of this year’s Haute Couture Design category is….

After pausing for a moment, the host Tom Carter announced the winner in a voice that was nothing short of thunderous.

– ‘Vivian Rhonda’, who was praised for her dreamy haute couture-!

Soon, ‘Vivian Rhonda’, wearing an haute couture dress she designed, stood up from her seat and began to walk towards the stage to give her acceptance speech.

I had fully expected that winning in the haute couture category would be difficult, but it seemed inevitable that a feeling of disappointment would arise.

With a bitter smile on my face, I was sending congratulatory applause.

Mark Jacobs put his arm around my shoulder and offered words of comfort in a gentle tone.

“Lee. There’s no need to be disappointed. You can sweep all the awards trophies with Christian Diom’s haute couture next year, right? The haute couture we showed was as great as Rhonda’s haute couture.”

“Thank you.”

“Yes. Sweep all the awards trophies with Christian Diom’s haute couture next year. And there’s still the New Designer of the Year category left.”

After finishing speaking, Mark Jacobs asked again, “Isn’t that right?”

Then, after the acceptance speech of Vivian Rhonda, the winner of the Haute Couture category, came to an end.

– We have been waiting for a long time. Finally, we have only two categories left to award, which can be said to be the flower of the CFDA Fashion Awards. Before proceeding with the awards, let’s take another look at the safety of Chairman Stephen Cove.

At the same time as Tom Carter’s words ended, the staff once again dragged the glass container containing Chairman Stephen Cove onto the stage.

Chairman Stephen Cove, who was pretending to be reading a magazine with great concentration inside, raised his head only after the glass container arrived at the center of the stage and waved to the audience.

Then, Tom Carter nodded a few times as if satisfied and began to speak again.

– Fortunately, it seems that the oxygen has not run out yet.

He emphasized the phrase ‘yet’ and continued the proceedings.

– First, I will announce the designers who have been selected as nominees for the New Designer of the Year Award. The designers selected as nominees for the 2013 CFDA Fashion Awards, New Designer of the Year category, are as follows.

At the same time as the video introducing the nominees was played, Tom Carter’s explanation continued.

– The video that you are watching is an excerpt from the show that rookie designer ‘Vera Wang’, who made a splendid debut at this year’s New York Fashion Week, presented at the 2013 New York Fashion Week. Nominee ‘Vera Wang’ is the only female designer among the designers who debuted at this year’s New York Fashion Week, and she presented her unique and delicate designs….

After a moment of applause.

– Similarly, this is a video excerpted from the show scene of rookie designer ‘Shoot Finder’, who debuted at the 2013 New York Fashion Week. Shoot Finder presented a grunge look reinterpreted from a new perspective and received favorable reviews from many people….

And, finally.

– Unlike the previously introduced nominees, the last nominee, ‘Lee’, is a rookie designer who appeared in the New York fashion world through a new season of a specific premium brand, not New York Fashion Week.

At the same time as Tom Carter’s words ended, some of the design team employees couldn’t contain their joy and each let out a joyful scream. “Yes!”, “Nice!”, “Good!”, etc….

Soon, the video from Alexander King’s F/W [Fall/Winter] season show was played on the screen.

– Lee, who was selected as the creative director of the premium brand Alexander King’s 2013 F/W season without any prior experience, showed a solid design to the extent that the doubts and worries of countless people were overshadowed. In fact, by presenting a performance on the theme of ‘Alexander Street’ at the season show, he even gave a big shock to the New York fashion world, which was experiencing a slump in performance. He received rave reviews from numerous critics and editors, and of course, he succeeded in significantly increasing the brand’s sales, which is the most reliable indicator….

While Tom Carter was fluently continuing his explanation, Director Song silently held my hand tightly again.

The employees were the same. They each began to offer words of encouragement in a low voice.

“President, have you thought about your acceptance speech?”

“Please mention our names too.”

I tried to respond by smiling as if I was calm, but that was not the case at all.

Even though all I was doing was sitting still, I felt dizzy and my chest was pounding.

Should I say it felt like someone was grabbing my ankle from underground?

Maybe.

I may have been designing for too long to receive the New Designer Award.

But, I want it.

The CFDA Fashion Awards trophy and plaque would definitely be a great reward.

A reward for stepping on the sewing machine pedal in the dark life, and a reward for the humble life of squeezing my head to create new designs even while losing my eyesight.

I am already living a completely different life from my previous life.

In a grateful reality that I couldn’t even dare to dream of, I am enjoying a different level of life, exchanging greetings with people I admired, and even collaborating with them.

But, I can’t be satisfied with just this.

I want much more. I want more success and happiness, more money and fame, more clear conviction, and a more unreal life.

And then.

Tom Carter, who had finished his explanation, turned over a cue sheet in his hand and continued to speak.

– Then, I will announce the winner of this year’s New Designer Award right away. The winner of the 2013 CFDA Fashion Awards, New Designer of the Year category, is….

In that instant. A heavy silence fell over the spacious hall.

For a moment, one second felt like one minute, no, one hour.

Tom Carter began to continue in a gentle tone.

“Lee, congratulations. Would you please come up to the stage?”