Black Label [EN]: Chapter 199

A strange silence, heavy and peculiar, settled over the room.

After a brief, subtle smile, Jaesung continued, his voice a low murmur, “To possess the potential to bury every brand scheduled after yours… That does sound like a rather intriguing proposition.”

*Was* it a sweet sentiment, seemingly pleasant, or was it too good to be true?

I generally believe that sweet words warrant extra caution and vigilance.

Moreover, upon further reflection, the notion seemed somewhat unrealistic.

Every brand competing at Paris Fashion Week could arguably hold a place within the world’s Top 100 fashion brands.

It was a stage of dreams where one couldn’t even set foot without such a title.

And even if they didn’t quite measure up at present, they were undoubtedly recognized for their profound and boundless potential to reach that level soon.

Otherwise, the Paris Fashion Week officials wouldn’t have allocated them a spot on a stage valued at anywhere from hundreds of millions to billions of won per hour.

So, what about Wallflower?

Naturally, it belonged to the ‘latter’ category. Paris Fashion Week likely valued Wallflower’s future potential more than its current standing.

They would have also paid closer attention to the influence wielded by the owner-designer, ‘Lee,’ and the diligently accumulated career.

Now, if a third party, unaffiliated with the brand, were to view Wallflower from a purely realistic standpoint, what would they see?

They would likely perceive Wallflower as merely a fledgling brand that had fortuitously entered Paris Fashion Week, thanks to a confluence of favorable circumstances and the reputation of its owner-designer, who had diligently built a presentable career.

At least, until the ‘works’ bearing Wallflower’s tag were showcased on the Fashion Week stage.

Just as Jaesung was scrutinizing Kai Green with the intense gaze of a predator assessing its prey, Kai furrowed his brow and retorted,

“Lee, it might just be my imagination, but you seem to be questioning my statement.”

“Not questioning, but being cautious.”

“The reason?”

“We haven’t shown ‘everything’ yet. There’s not enough basis for you to think that way.”

Could one accurately describe the overall form of an elephant after blindly groping its leg?

Whether you asked a hundred or a thousand people, the unanimous answer would undoubtedly be ‘absolutely impossible.’

As of now, all that has been revealed to the public is a portion of the lookbook shot with a zero-gravity concept.

Thanks to the novel concept, it has been mentioned in the media numerous times, but the few photos included in the lookbook are merely a ‘*corner*’ of this season’s Wallflower product lineup.

Since nothing has been properly shown yet, it was only natural to doubt and be wary of the conviction Kai Green held.

On the other hand, Kai Green’s conviction remained unwavering.

“I understand what you mean. I also understand your caution regarding my conviction. However, there’s something I feel I must mention before deciding on a collaboration.”

“Please, feel free.”

“It’s not something to be proud of, but I have neither the interest nor the talent for uttering sweet, empty words that clients like to hear. Rather, due to my excessively honest nature, clients have frequently unilaterally terminated or canceled contracts with me.”

Even though he explicitly stated, “It’s not something to be proud of…,” he seemed to take pride in his honesty and boldness.

Well, if I had to offer an assessment, I thought it was a commendable trait to be proud of.

As the saying goes, good medicine tastes bitter, doesn’t it?

Moreover, what was desperately needed at this moment wasn’t sugary flattery but rather candid advice that, though bitter, would guarantee tangible results.

Jaesung nodded, seemingly satisfied, and began to speak.

“It goes without saying, but before requesting this meeting, I carefully reviewed Kai’s portfolio. Starting with the work from 1992, which could be considered Kai’s debut year, all the way to the most recent work at the 2013 London Fashion Week. Furthermore, I also sought information related to Kai through every possible channel. From acquaintances of acquaintances of acquaintances, and even searching all the information available on the web using various keywords on a total of six national websites.”

“Then, can I interpret that as you being pleased with my portfolio and track record? Since I’m sitting here at the negotiation table with Lee.”

Kai Green, speaking in a nonchalant tone, flashed a smile. Perhaps it was due to his dark skin, but his teeth appeared exceptionally white.

Jaesung nodded once, indicating his agreement, and then continued to speak.

“Yes, that’s correct. Your past work and track record are impeccable. We brought you in because we judged that you have ample potential to become our savior this season.”

“Enough with the compliments. I’d appreciate it if you could get to the point.”

Jaesung slightly raised his head and, with his fingertips, subtly pushed the brown envelope that was sitting alone on the table.

“This is the contract that I prepared in advance before requesting the meeting. If there are any clauses you wish to modify, we are willing to negotiate.”

“It seems like there’s more to it than that?”

“Yes. There’s one last thing I’d like to ask before signing the contract.”

Just as Kai Green replied, “Anything,” Jaesung leaned forward slightly and asked in a rather low voice.

“Earlier, you clearly stated that Wallflower possesses the potential to overwhelm all the premium brands scheduled after it, correct?”

“Yes. I did.”

“I’d like to hear the reason why you think so.”

A silence fell for a moment. Kai Green, with his lower lip slightly protruding, nodded a few times and muttered,

“Hmm, it seems like I need to answer carefully? It seems like the decision on the contract will depend on my answer.”

“You see it accurately. I sincerely hope that the contract our staff worked so hard to draft doesn’t turn into a mere scrap of paper.”

Kai Green licked his lower lip once, flicked his eyebrows again, and then slowly began to speak.

“To be honest, it was a conclusion I came to more because of the name value of the owner-designer, ‘Lee,’ rather than the brand’s inherent marketability. And the same goes for the name value of the capable, mysterious Asian VMD [Visual Merchandising Director – responsible for the presentation of products] who has planned Lee’s shows until now.”

The mysterious Asian VMD seemed to refer to Nam Gwangmin.

Even after completing his work as the sub-director of Christian Diom, and again after completing his work as the sub-director of Janelle, Nam Gwangmin’s ‘displays’ were talked about numerous times.

Although Nam Gwangmin had never directly revealed his face to the public or given interviews, he was known within the industry as ‘Lee’s Shadow’ and was listed among the few famous VMDs.

As Jaesung stared at Kai Green without saying anything, he began to elaborate on his thoughts in a soft tone.

“Do you know which brand has generated the most buzz among the brands participating in this Paris Fashion Week? It’s Wallflower. Starting with a portion of the lookbook photos with the ‘*Zero Gravity*’ concept, the simultaneous progress of Paris Fashion Week and the Janelle collection, and even the collusion of major department stores in Asia, although it wasn’t a good thing…”

“And?”

“The reason for being newsworthy is that there’s room for the public to be interested. A boutique in a neighborhood alley can’t easily get even a single article written about it, no matter what it does. Although there are plenty of brands with the power to control the media, Wallflower is different. It wasn’t made newsworthy through artificial efforts.”

Kai Green, having finished speaking, gave a wry smile and added,

“At this moment, the world is paying attention to the name Lee. They want to watch every move and know everything related to it. Even if you were to walk out of the house tomorrow wearing your underwear over your pants, many people would plausibly package it as a trend. To put it simply, among the designers who are putting their work on display at this Paris Fashion Week, you have the most distinct marketability.”

“Those are excessively sweet words to hear. But as I said before, I don’t particularly enjoy sweet tastes.”

“I’m just giving you a realistic analysis. The second reason why I can’t help but calculate Wallflower’s chances of success highly is because of the mysterious Asian VMD who is called ‘Lee’s Shadow’ within the industry.”

“I’d like you to elaborate a bit more.”

“I’ve also scraped together all the information related to Wallflower. Of course, it’s information within the scope of what I can gather with my capabilities. Although I haven’t been able to find out everything, I can still confidently say that I haven’t investigated carelessly. Starting with the minimalist season show display that Wallflower presented when it only had a street brand line, and then ‘Alexander King,’ the ‘Parsons F.I.T Competition [Fashion Institute of Technology competition],’ Christian Diom’s haute couture [high fashion], and the recent ‘Janelle,’ all of it…”

Having trailed off, Kai Green shrugged once and then continued his remarks.

“Every show was successful and fantastic. I’ve come to the conclusion that the exclusive VMD possesses both competence and influence. Not only have all the shows he’s been in charge of been highly praised in many ways, but countless people are hoping that ‘Lee’s Shadow’ will take off his mask and reveal his identity on stage.”

“Does that mean…?”

“It’s simple. The planning for this show will be handled exclusively by Wallflower’s exclusive VMD and me. Lee just needs to trust us and lend us his influence. Directing outdoor stages is my specialty. But just showing an amazing stage isn’t enough to kill off all the premium brands with renowned names.”

Speaking in a somewhat ominous tone, he snapped his fingers sharply and continued in a chilling tone.

“If we combine that with some underhanded methods, we can infinitely increase Wallflower’s odds of winning. While planning a high-quality show, we need to create as much buzz as possible. It might be a pretty good plan for Lee’s Shadow, that is, Wallflower’s exclusive VMD, and me to go on stage together. On a large-scale stage like Vogue Magazine or Ella Magazine.”

As Jaesung remained silent without any particular response, Kai Green drove in the wedge.

“You only need to put artistry into Lee’s work. From now on, the focus will be on business elements. Once you’ve finished preparing the season’s product lineup, you need to transform into a businessman who exudes a subtle air of being not just clever, but even cunning. If Lee agrees, I think I can offer various kinds of help. Will you decide?”

Tick, tock-

Only the sound of the ticking clock echoed endlessly in the spacious hotel room.