Black Label [EN]: Chapter 168

168. Just Once…?

“I find myself becoming solemn whenever I pass through this path.”

Jaesung responded to Karl Lagerfeld’s words with several nods.

Jaesung was currently walking with Karl Lagerfeld through the hallway connected to the Chanel House lobby.

A staff-only passage. It was a restricted area and a sanctuary, accessible only to employees above a certain rank.

As is typical of premium brand ‘Houses,’ Chanel House had put considerable effort into its interior design.

But, how should I put it? It felt like they had taken extra care with this secluded space.

The walls of the long corridor, covered with a red carpet, were adorned with pictures and photos detailing the history of the Chanel brand, and historical artifacts were displayed throughout.

The sewing machine used by the founder, Coco Chanel, the fabric used to create the first haute couture product, and so on.

It felt like touring a museum. Whenever Jaesung stopped, captivated by something, Karl Lagerfeld would offer explanations like a museum curator.

“The first Chanel suit made of tweed [a rough, woolen fabric]. It has a sophisticated design, but surprisingly, it was released in 1954.”

“That button was made 60 years ago. Coco Chanel was also the first to remove the buttonhole and engrave the brand’s logo on it.”

At that moment, Jaesung let out a “Wow…” It was prompted by a dazzling exhibit that instantly caught his eye.

What made Jaesung stop was a ‘Golden Hand’ sculpture modeled after someone’s hand.

Karl Lagerfeld added a simple explanation with a faint smile.

“You have a good eye. Personally, it’s my favorite exhibit. It’s a golden sculpture modeled after the hand of a talented director who brought Chanel, which had been declining after Coco Chanel passed away, into its second renaissance. Before coming to Chanel, he had to endure being disregarded because of his career as a ready-to-wear designer, but in just one season, he was praised for transforming Chanel into a young, casual, premium brand that young people are enthusiastic about.”

Jaesung then gave a slight smile.

It was because of the name ‘Karl Lagerfeld’ engraved near the base of the statue.

It was something to be proud of, but he couldn’t help but be amused by his ability to boast about himself so naturally without changing his expression.

“You have a very strong narcissistic tendency, don’t you?”

“Well, I deserve it.”

Karl Lagerfeld, who had given a short answer, started walking again towards the exit in the distance, and continued in a low voice that felt somewhat somber.

“I have already become the history of Chanel, and Chanel has become my history. If you take Karl Lagerfeld out of Chanel, a whopping 40 years will be erased. The same goes for my life. If you take Chanel out of my life…”

He was about to continue speaking, but suddenly stopped himself.

Because of his sunglasses, I couldn’t see his expression properly, but I could tell that he was making an uncomfortable face, as if he had forcibly swallowed a handful of gravel.

What would he be feeling, having to leave a space that inevitably contained everything about him?

I could vaguely guess, but I couldn’t know in detail.

I tried to imagine putting myself in his situation, but I soon gave up. My chest felt so heavy that it felt like a wet tissue was blocking my lungs.

Jaesung then consciously slowed down his pace. Karl Lagerfeld walked a few steps ahead, and Jaesung followed behind him at a slow pace.

Thud, thud. Only gloomy footsteps occasionally echoed in the quiet corridor.

Someday, in the distant future. Only in the really distant future, when the moment of retirement is ahead, will I be able to understand his feelings?

His back, as he trudged along, looked particularly burdened. Too much so for the back of someone who had achieved all the glory a designer could enjoy.

* * *

The moment Jaesung stepped into the lobby, passing through the secret passage called ‘*Hall of The History*,’ he was met by dozens of employees standing in line at regular intervals, waiting for him.

This was the first time that he was formally meeting the members of Chanel House. It was an opportunity to say hello briefly before the collaboration began.

They all seemed to be looking at the young Asian man standing in front of them with curious eyes.

‘Lee.’

A young, genius designer who made a splendid debut through the New York fashion scene.

Until last year, he was only a rising prospect, but now the situation was quite different.

The area where he showed off his talent was not only ‘*Prêt-à-Porter* [ready-to-wear clothing]’.

The brand Wall Flower, which he leads, originally had a street brand leaning, and he successfully completed Christian Dior’s haute couture, showcasing the vastness of his design spectrum.

While Jaesung, in a neat suit, was talking with Karl Lagerfeld in a low voice, Chanel’s current CEO, ‘Alexi,’ spoke in a resolute voice.

“As you all know, this is Lee, who will be contributing to Chanel’s new season as a sub-director.”

As soon as Alexi finished speaking and gave Jaesung a slight wink, Jaesung stepped forward and bowed politely.

At the same time, applause so loud that it felt deafening erupted from all over the place.

Everyone was cheering enthusiastically without any anxiety or doubt. It was proof that the value of the name had changed.

The name ‘Lee’ was already known as a kind of success guarantee within the fashion industry.

Karl Lagerfeld then put his arm around Jaesung’s shoulder and said in a low voice.

“Welcome to Chanel. Let’s wrap up the welcoming party here, because it’s time to start in earnest.”

* * *

Day after day, day after day. Time moved forward indifferently and quickly, as it always had.

Life at Chanel was quite repetitive, but that didn’t make it feel monotonous.

Karl Lagerfeld was a great leader. He assigned a lot of work, but only as much as could be reasonably done, and Jaesung strove to do his job properly.

Jaesung’s main task was to modify and supplement the designs submitted by the designers on the design team with Karl Lagerfeld, or to develop the main design together.

It was simple yet challenging, and it was fun enough to be immersive.

Sometimes, he would completely forget about Wall Flower’s new season, which was in its final stages of preparation.

Karl called these tasks becoming the ‘second eye.’ It was an unexpectedly pleasant expression.

“You look tired these days, should I reduce the amount of work?”

Jaesung shook his head at the question Karl Lagerfeld suddenly asked while looking at the diagram, and replied.

“No. It’s okay. I’m the type to think that a moderate amount of fatigue is actually good for the body.”

“Tell me anytime if you change your mind.”

After finishing speaking, Karl Lagerfeld immediately took out a thick cigar and put it in his mouth.

As Karl Lagerfeld looked at the diagram while smoking, he pushed the sunglasses he was wearing onto his forehead and began to rub his eyes.

As Jaesung glanced at Karl Lagerfeld, Karl Lagerfeld smiled and said.

“My condition has been noticeably deteriorating lately. I have to endure until this season.”

“It’s going to be difficult, but don’t worry too much. You know that stress is the root of all diseases, right?”

“Well? It seems to be the most plausible excuse among the excuses that doctors make to hide their incompetence.”

When Jaesung replied, “That makes sense,” Karl Lagerfeld reached out to pick up the file he had pushed to the corner of the side table and opened his mouth.

“Fortunately, I was able to finish designing the main line this season before my eyesight deteriorated further.”

But, for some reason, Karl couldn’t pick up the file right away. He fumbled several times before finally picking it up.

Jaesung then narrowed his brows and called him.

“Karl.”

“Yeah.”

“Your vision in your left eye is rapidly deteriorating.”

“It’s okay to have only one eye. It’s just a little uncomfortable.”

Karl Lagerfeld forced a thick smile and added.

“The important thing is not my eyesight. It’s Chanel’s this season. Let’s take a look at the diagram first.”

It was a very firm tone, as if he didn’t want any more pity.

Jaesung then nodded and opened the file with an indifferent expression.

The moment he opened the first page. Jaesung couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow…”

It was a series of surprisingly solid diagrams. Each time he turned a page, a new and innovative design was revealed.

It felt like a file containing all the years that Karl Lagerfeld had reigned in the jungle called the fashion world, no. All the years he had persevered.

The moment he turned the page with his slightly trembling hand and checked the last diagram.

Karl Lagerfeld asked in a low voice.

“How is it? Can this be a splendid retirement?”

“If I could guarantee that…”

“I know. I’m just asking for your opinion.”

After finishing speaking, Karl Lagerfeld added, “When you get old, you start to feel like you’re losing your touch, and your confidence becomes blurred. And you agreed to be my second eye, didn’t you?”

Jaesung then crossed his arms and remained silent for a while. After a moment of silence. Jaesung opened his mouth in a serious tone.

“Karl, are you really curious?”

There were a few things he knew vaguely. There were a lot of diagrams that were completely different from Chanel’s 2014 season that he saw in the future, but the Chanel in the future he knew decorated the 2014 season as the best season.

And Karl Lagerfeld, the main character of the success, would be retiring amidst applause.

Of course, since the diagram has changed, the result will also be different.

But it’s not like you don’t know what that result will be.

There was one thing that he had been keeping away from, even though he had returned to the past together.

The future magazine.

He used pencils and glasses all the time, but he didn’t even look at future magazines.

Because it felt like cheating? No.

In the first place, pencils and glasses could be said to be quite serious cheating.

The reason why he didn’t use the magazine was because of the anxiety that he might steal other people’s designs, or take actions that would affect other brands, that is, commit fraudulent acts that could arbitrarily change other people’s futures.

“I’m curious.”

For Karl, whom he had respected since he was a child. Not for himself, not for Wall Flower, but for Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld, the brand’s signature designer.

Wouldn’t it be okay to take a peek into the future just once?