Black Label [EN]: Chapter 202

Black Label 201

202. Confidence in Victory

[Paris Fog Magazine Exclusive Interview, Hot Designer Lee. “This aggressive interview is simply an expression of confidence in this season. Wall Flower will establish itself as a brand with a unique identity.”]

Rustle-.

[Designer Lee expresses confidence in the upcoming Paris Fashion Week collection, “Because no brand has similar colors to Wall Flower, I don’t believe we have any real rivals. Please anticipate the wave of change we will bring to the fashion world.”]

Rustle-.

[Designer Lee says, “Slanderers will quickly change their tune after our show, as they always do.”]

Rustle-.

[‘Lee’s Shadow’ was originally a fashion designer? Wall Flower’s exclusive VMD [Visual Merchandiser] Kwangmin, “I experienced VMD work at Lee’s recommendation and have been with him ever since. If I can continue to be employed, I simply want to remain by his side.”]

Rustle-.

Director Song, who was reading the renowned daily newspaper ‘Daily Paris Fashion,’ clicked his tongue and began to read aloud a section of the article.

“Have you ever heard of the name ‘Lee’s Shadow’? Before explaining, I will briefly list the collection stages that have become a hot topic in recent years. The last Alexander King F/W [Fall/Winter] season collection, which marked a perfect turning point for the premium brand Alexander King, which had been in a recession. The last Christian Diom Haute Couture collection, praised as the best of the haute couture released after Diom’s death.”

Director Song paused for a breath and continued reading.

“Finally, the Janel collection, which captured the hearts of the public and industry officials alike by portraying Janel’s history in chronological order. The collections listed above share two commonalities. The first is that they are shows planned by the promising, famous designer ‘Lee.’ The second is that Wall Flower’s exclusive VMD, ‘Kwangmin,’ known as Lee’s shadow, was in charge of the related work….”

Jae-seung, who was sitting next to him and scrolling on his smartphone, smiled and replied quietly.

“Wow, they wrote that in an interesting way. Who wrote the column?”

“Evan Dope? I haven’t heard of him before. Should I read more?”

“No, I’ll read it myself.”

Director Song handed Jae-seung the newspaper.

[Wall Flower’s exclusive VMD ‘Kwangmin’ has gradually solidified his position in the industry by successfully completing all the shows in which Lee is involved.

To be honest, I’ve wanted to write a column about him several times (I enjoy writing columns on professional VMDs like Fred Cops, Hannah, Mao Chang, etc…).

However, because little was known about him and he didn’t engage in external activities, I couldn’t put it into practice because the content would be too limited.

Fortunately, about a week before this Paris Fashion Week, he took off his mask and revealed his face to the mass media.

I first met him at a small cafe in Paris.

Just before the interview began, in an awkward atmosphere, he revealed that he was originally a designer on the design team, not a VMD, and that his major was also in fashion design. An interesting story began even before my coffee arrived.

The reason he, originally a designer in the Wall Flower design team, became a professional VMD is simple and, frankly, a little strange.

It was Lee’s recommendation. According to Kwangmin, Lee approached him and asked if he would like to switch to VMD because he wasn’t achieving the results he wanted.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Lee’s insight and recommendation completely changed his life.

Furthermore, Lee entrusted Kwangmin, an entry-level VMD, with important tasks such as the Alexander King Collection, Parsons F.I.T [Fashion Institute of Technology] Competition, and Christian Diom Haute Couture.

This demonstrates the strong confidence Lee had in Kwangmin’s talent when he suggested the switch to VMD….]

“They wrote it interestingly. Kwangmin seems to be enjoying interviews now. When I did the first interview with him, I thought he was a stone statue.”

Just as Jae-seung was about to put down the newspaper, Director Song tilted his head slightly and asked.

“Isn’t the first time always difficult? Anyway, it’s a mess… in a good way. I look around whenever I have time, and it’s no exaggeration to say that Wall Flower accounts for 90% of the web fashion community sites.”

“We worked hard and made a lot of noise, so of course, we should.”

“The president will handle it, but I have some concerns. As you know, a fairly high percentage of the public and companies view our aggressive media presence negatively, right? It feels like we’re making more enemies as the days go by….”

Jae-seung asked back in a rather solemn tone.

“Director, you once said that the fashion world is a place where there are no eternal enemies or eternal allies, right?”

“I did.”

“Then, no matter how many enemies there are, it’s only temporary, right?”

“Well, it depends on how you look at it….”

When Director Song trailed off, Jae-seung shrugged and said again.

“Actually, I think a little differently. There may be no eternal enemies, but I tend to think that eternal allies definitely exist. The way to turn current enemies into allies is simple. Any method is fine, but we need to make them realize that we are an opponent they can never overcome.”

“Well, that’s true. No one enjoys confronting an enemy they can never win against….”

“Let’s say that’s how to make enemies into allies. What’s the way to transform competitive brands that have become allies into *eternal* allies?”

“What is it?”

“It’s also simple. It’s to remain an ‘enemy they can never win against’ *forever*.”

Director Song stared at Jae-seung with a blank face.

If someone else had said it, he would have replied, “That’s easier said than done,” and offered plenty of criticism.

However, because it came from Jae-seung’s mouth, he could only listen and nod.

The weight of the person gave the words weight, too.

Director Song was caught up in the absurd thought, ‘Could there be a series of superpowers in Jae-seung’s voice that can persuade people…?’

Jae-seung smiled and continued.

“Everything is going according to plan, so you don’t have to worry.”

“I’m not worried, just a little….”

“Anyway.”

After a moment of silence, Jae-seung took a sip of coffee and brought up a new topic.

“I think it would be better to start with work-related matters?”

“Ah, yes.”

“How is the work you’re in charge of progressing?”

Creation of the Wall Flower watch line.

It was a major responsibility given to Director Song.

While Jae-seung was reinforcing the products to be showcased at this Paris Fashion Week and actively engaging in external activities,

Director Song was also working hard to gather information.

“It’s so-so. First, I succeeded in compiling the engineer list. There are about thirty people, and I tried to focus on people from Swiss watch companies’ research labs. Now, the key is to get as many of them as possible to work with us.”

“If you say it’s so-so, Director, it sounds like it’s really being handled well?”

“Well, no matter how late, I’m sure we’ll be able to showcase some plausible watch products by the beginning of the year after next.”

He chewed on the straw in the takeout coffee cup and began to organize his thoughts.

*I feel like the brand is starting to take shape.*

Once this fashion week is successfully completed, it will proudly be listed among the premium brands.

After securing popularity with Wall Flower’s low-priced product line, the street line, and firmly establishing a fan base with the premium line, the watch line can be launched.

What’s next?

There is a mountain of things to do, from glasses, perfume, and tailors to ballpoint pens and other office supplies.

A lot of products with Wall Flower’s unique color must be released.

This is to encourage consumers immersed in the cult of personality phenomenon to consume in various ways.

Jae-seung nodded and replied.

“It would be nice if the deadline was moved up, but quality is the most important thing, so please proceed with as much care as possible.”

“Yes, yes, I understand. By the way, how is the fashion week going? That’s the most important thing right now, right?”

“This side is also progressing smoothly. The outline and framework have been set, and we are improving the completeness of the collection itself through repetitive rehearsals.”

Director Song smiled and said.

“Hmm, if the president says it’s going smoothly, I guess a great show has been completed?”

* * *

As the date of Paris Fashion Week approached, the scenery of Paris seemed to have changed.

It became easy to see not only ordinary people with outstanding fashion sense but also famous celebrities wandering the streets.

The change wasn’t just on the streets. The mass media and fashion community were also filled with articles related to the upcoming Paris Fashion Week.

Meanwhile, Jae-seung headed to the Tuileries Garden as soon as his interview schedule was roughly finished.

Kai Green and Nam Kwangmin were in charge of overall practical work, but he started helping by sticking close to them as much as possible, checking the scale of the work, and making various suggestions.

“Lee, you’re here.”

As soon as Jae-seung appeared near the outdoor stage installed inside the Tuileries Garden in Paris, Kai Green, who was supervising the site, greeted him happily.

Jae-seung nodded and asked.

“Is it going well?”

“Of course.”

Kai Green gave a brief answer and handed over the collection plan.

Music selection, model movement arrangements, order of clothing release, etc. It was a document containing detailed information about the collection.

Jae-seung briefly scanned the documents and replied.

“I’d like to see a rehearsal. Is that possible?”

“Of course. It will be held again in 10 minutes, so it would be good to watch around that time.”

“Until what time is the stage available today?”

“Until five o’clock. Today’s next rehearsal is the last one.”

Jae-seung nodded.

The most difficult part of preparing for this Paris Fashion Week seemed to be the limited rehearsal time on the outdoor stage.

Even with controlled access, there were bound to be difficulties as the show had to be planned and rehearsed while sharing the stage with a total of eight brands.

When Jae-seung looked lukewarm, Kai Green laughed and said.

“But it’s okay. We’ve already completed the collection stage. It’s just the final finishing touches. It’s like a painter who has finished painting can’t put down his brush because he’s sorry and touches up the details again. All the VMD team members are wishing that Paris Fashion Week would be held tomorrow.”

“I feel relieved.”

“Lee, victory is ours.”

As soon as Kai Green finished speaking, the staff resting on the outdoor stage stood up again and began to move in an orderly manner.

They seemed to be preparing for the final rehearsal.

Just as Jae-seung said, “It looks like it’s about to start soon,” Kai Green nodded and replied.

“Lee, have you ever heard the saying ‘Simple is Best’?”

“Yes, of course.”

“It’s probably the most appropriate phrase for Wall Flower’s show this time.”

At that moment, the song selected as the background music for the collection began to play from the large woofers on both sides of the stage, signaling the start of the rehearsal.

Jae-seung crossed his arms and began to watch the collection from the perspective of an uninvolved observer.

But why?

The more the show progressed, the brighter Jae-seung’s expression became.

It wasn’t just his expression. His confidence in victory only deepened.

Now that the rehearsal was in its middle and late stages, Jae-seung thought they were ready to take all the glory at this Paris Fashion Week.