Black Label [EN]: Chapter 156

156. Nuclear Launch Detected

As Jae-seung stood blankly in front of the newsstand, Yeong-guk, who had been repeatedly asking, “What’s wrong? What happened?” snatched the magazine from Jae-seung’s hand.

Yeong-guk frowned deeply and stared at the magazine’s main cover for a long time without saying a word. Then, with an infinitely serious expression, he finally spoke.

“Seriously, what on earth is written here…?”

Seeing the name ‘Lee’ written in large letters and Jae-seung’s reaction, it was clear that the content was related to his friend. However, his English skills weren’t sufficient to fully understand the meaning.

Soon, Jae-seung put his arm around Yeong-guk’s shoulder and, with a faint smile on his lips, explained simply.

“Who knows? Looks like he wants to come at me.”

His heart was racing, and his mind began to work quickly.

Was he afraid of the conflict with Karl Lagerfeld, who had been a dominant figure in the fashion world for over thirty years and had built a strong faction?

No.

It was probably an attack because he didn’t like the arrogant attitude of a rookie designer who had just started to make a name for himself, but so what? He had no intention of ignoring it.

As is often the case with such mudslinging fights, a situation that favors the underdog is bound to arise.

What should he say? It felt like an opportunity.

Even if he faced defeat, if he showed a certain level of achievement, he would surely be able to steal some of Karl’s popularity.

Of course, he had no intention of fighting for a plausible defeat. Since the other side had declared war first, he would fight with all his might, aiming for an overwhelming victory.

Just when things seemed to be going smoothly, another job came up. It was bound to escalate into a large-scale engagement.

He needed to work diligently to secure proper allies and reliable supporters.

“Yeong-guk.”

“Yeah?”

“Sorry, but let’s part ways here today.”

Yeong-guk bit his lower lip slightly and asked in a worried, low voice.

“Is it serious?”

Jae-seung shrugged his shoulders once and replied in a nonchalant tone to ease his friend’s worries.

“No, not at all.”

* * *

“From what I can see, there seems to be an interesting rumor going around?”

At Chairman Ardo’s question, delivered with a thick smile, Jae-seung nodded slightly and replied.

“Yes, it seems that way. Even I, who am at the center of it, find it interesting.”

“Conflict is the best spectacle. But isn’t your opponent too powerful? Karl has been in the fashion industry for over 30 years as a veteran designer. If you’re not careful, you could end up making enemies of everyone in Karl’s camp.”

“Who my opponent is doesn’t matter to me at all. It’s just a matter of whether I achieve victory easily or with a little difficulty.”

Was it because he liked the attitude that went beyond confidence, an attitude that was certain of victory?

Chairman Ardo nodded a few times, seemingly satisfied, and pointed to the sofa in the center of the chairman’s office, saying, “Sit down first.”

No sooner had Jae-seung taken a seat than Chairman Ardo asked in his characteristic deep voice.

“You’ve come seeking help, haven’t you?”

“To be honest, yes.”

Chairman Ardo smiled and tilted his head slightly, replying.

“As you know, our business has been successfully concluded. Christian Diom, which you directed, was a success, and all that remains is for you to settle the amount you haven’t received yet.”

“Yes, I know. I also know that you are not in a situation where you have to help me, and that we are not bound by business anymore.”

After finishing his words, Jae-seung added in an indifferent tone, “At least, not until I sign a new contract.”

Chairman Ardo glanced at the Vacheron Constantin [a luxury Swiss watch brand] on his wrist and continued to speak in a low voice.

“I’ll give you exactly three minutes. Tell me the conditions you’ve been thinking about. I’ll decide whether or not I’ll help you in this fight after I hear the conditions first.”

Jae-seung took a breath and raised his hand, holding up two fingers as he began to speak.

“For the next two years, premium label products from my brand, Wall Flower, will be sold exclusively through routes linked to the LVMH Group [Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, a French multinational luxury goods conglomerate] for three months from the date of release.”

Why would they sell products with the label ‘out-of-season’ cheaply?

The same goes for brands with a strong fan base.

Consumers will not buy clothes that don’t fit the trend at full price.

This fashion world is extremely sensitive to trends.

From that point of view, Jae-seung’s proposal was quite unconventional.

Based on average figures, the sales amount for three months from the product release date can be considered 70% of the total sales amount that the product will earn.

Chairman Ardo, who had been lost in thought for a long time, stroked his chin and began to speak.

“The condition you presented… At first glance, it feels like a stimulating proposal, but when you look at the reality… Well, it feels like something is missing.”

Jae-seung smiled.

“I can’t just take a loss either. If the opponent wasn’t the LVMH Group, I would have presented more selfish conditions.”

The reason for offering the unconventional condition of entrusting all distribution and sales rights to the LVMH Group for three months was simple.

It was because the distribution network that the LVMH Group possessed was so solid and systematically formed.

Considering the department store routes in various countries that Chairman Ardo held tightly, the number of large-scale select shops, and the influence of luxury websites, it might be more comfortable to proceed as is.

Both sides have some regrets, but it is not a condition where one side has to suffer a unilateral loss or make concessions.

In short, it is a reasonable proposal that can be a ‘win-win’ for each other.

Jae-seung clasped his hands together and added one more word.

“As you know, Chairman, there is also a saying that ‘the best negotiations are negotiations where both sides are disappointed,’ isn’t there?”

Silence fell for a moment. Chairman Ardo, who then said “Okay,” expressed his position in a gentle tone.

“As you already know, there are only a few things I can directly help with. This is a tacit rule that exists among us business people.”

“Yes, I know.”

“The same goes for the Wertheimer family, who are the actual owners of the Chanel Group. But if they show an aggressive attitude first and move actively, I will respond in the same way.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll assign a few people first. There are some experts in this field within the group.”

“By this field, you mean…?”

“Veterans of battles using print media.”

After finishing his words, Chairman Ardo smiled wryly and added.

“Lee, think about it. Until I give up the cumbersome title of ‘Emperor of the Fashion Empire,’ how many brands do you think I’ve trampled on and swallowed up?”

It was a word delivered in a gentle tone that was no different from his usual tone, but it sounded infinitely eerie.

There was one fact that he had forgotten because Chairman Ardo had been taking the position of a friendly helper.

He is one of the top predators sitting at the top of the food chain pyramid in the jungle called ‘the fashion world.’

He has been, and will continue to be.

Chairman Ardo got up from the sofa and added one more word.

“My heart is pounding because it’s been a while since a conflict. Come to think of it, anything I do with you seems to be fun. I feel like I’m rejuvenating to my younger days from time to time.”

* * *

Two days into the paper war using print media.

Not only F Web Magazine, but other media outlets also began to diligently convey Karl Lagerfeld’s remarks.

It was content that was enough to become an issue, so many media outlets participated, but it seemed that there was not much difficulty in distinguishing between enemies and allies.

“To explain it easily and simply, if the editor’s personal opinion is heavily reflected, you can consider them as enemies. Um, is it too gruesome to express it as ‘enemies’? Just think of it as the Karl Lagerfeld camp.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Tyler, who could be said to be the leader of the masters of the paper war using print media that Chairman Ardo mentioned.

Although it was only a short time to have a few words of conversation, it seemed that he was a cold-hearted person.

Even though the situation was flowing unfavorably, he was focusing only on devising ‘strategies’ without any anxiety or worry.

According to Tyler’s explanation, nine out of ten designers already had several magazines that they had been associating with since their rookie days.

It is not simply a relationship based on friendship, but a ‘strategic alliance.’ Whenever there is a conflict between designers, magazines pretend to maintain neutrality and publish biased columns to help the designers they support.

Tyler slightly raised his rimless glasses with his fingertips and continued to speak.

“First of all, I analyzed several magazines that would support Lee. Paris Vogue, where Geraldine Saglio, who is being nominated as the next editor-in-chief of Vogue, is the most powerful ally. There are also a few other magazines.”

“I see. Should I ask for help directly?”

“No. All contacts and negotiations will be done by us. By borrowing the name of the LVMH Group, not Lee’s name. And I have come up with some countermeasures. Directly spewing venom at Karl Lagerfeld can be harmful to the image. In a more roundabout way…”

Tyler continued to speak.

Jae-seung interrupted his words once by calling “Tyler” in a serious tone.

“Before that, I have one method in mind. Can you listen to it?”

“Of course. As much as you want. But if it is a decision that could worsen the situation, I should point out that it may be difficult to accept. And illegality is absolutely not allowed. It may not matter right now, but it will be disadvantageous later.”

“I understand. Rather than directly expressing my position through the media, I think there is a more effective way. So…”

Jae-seung continued to speak, and Tyler’s expression gradually brightened.

Finally, when Jae-seung’s explanation was all over.

Tyler unknowingly exclaimed “Wow…” and said quietly.

“My goodness, that’s a brilliant method! It will be a huge topic! You are, what should I say… Not only do you have talent and aptitude for fashion design, but you also seem to know how to gain stardom.”

“You flatter me.”

“You should proceed right away. Deadline, how long do you think it will take?”

“About fifteen days should be enough.”

Tyler smiled with a capitalist’s glee and replied with a confident tone.

“In fifteen days, the situation will be reversed.”

After receiving the ‘Okay sign’ from Tyler, he immediately contacted Director Song.

It was about assigning the first job to the Dongdaemun [a famous fashion district in Seoul, South Korea] masters who were newly recruited to Wall Flower’s atelier.

The first job assigned to them seemed to be quite important. It was to manufacture the ‘weapons’ needed for the counterattack.

The content of the first job assigned to the Dongdaemun-born masters through Director Song was as follows.

No matter how much money it costs, perfectly copy the products released this season with Chanel’s tag.

However, copy it perfectly, but change the signature logo, including the trademark, so that you can notice that it is not Chanel when you look closely.

In other words, it looks like a Chanel bag from a few steps away, but when you look closely, you will create a product that makes you wonder, ‘Huh? Wasn’t it a Chanel bag?’

Tyler, and Jae-seung himself, who proposed the agenda, were convinced that the imitation products made in that way would be a powerful weapon that would reverse the situation at once.