Black Label [EN]: Chapter 230

230. Identity Recorded in an Old Notebook

[The watch on the wrist of the Chairman of the Richemont Group is actually Made in Korea? Regarding the ‘Wall Flower Watch,’ which has been receiving love from various figures in the business world even before its release.]

Anyone with even a slight interest in the vast and magnificent world of watches would have heard the name of ‘Johann Rupert,’ the Chairman of the Richemont Group, at least once.

He is, after all, a leading figure in the world of watches, owning luxury watch brands that are renowned worldwide, such as Cartier, Montblanc, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, Panerai, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Van Cleef & Arpels.

However, last Friday, ‘Johann Rupert,’ the Chairman of the Richemont Group, caused a stir by attending an official press conference with Swiss media wearing a watch from a domestic brand.

The watch worn by Chairman Johann Rupert was revealed to be a product of the domestic premium brand, Wall Flower….

Click.

[The Birth of Korea’s First Premium Watch Brand? Regarding the secret to the success of the Wall Flower Watch, which has captured the hearts of Swiss watch tycoons.]

The Wall Flower watch, which had already caused a great sensation when worn by ‘Chairman Arnault’ of the LVMH Group, arguably the world’s largest fashion group, has once again become the center of controversy.

This is because, starting with Johann Rupert, the Chairman of the Richemont Group, the chairmen of luxury watch groups ranked among the top 10 watch tycoons have been seen wearing Wall Flower watches in both public and private settings.

What is the reason that the watch, self-produced by the domestic premium brand Wall Flower, is monopolizing the love of the world’s top watchmakers?

To uncover this secret, I boarded a flight to Switzerland. My destination was Watch Valley [a region in Switzerland known for its concentration of watchmaking companies], where famous watch brands are concentrated.

It was a journey without a clear plan, but I managed to contact a Meister [German for ‘master,’ referring to a highly skilled watchmaker] from a famous brand and learned from him why the Wall Flower watch has been loved by watch tycoons even before its release.

The secret was none other than the ‘automatic system’ developed in-house by Wall Flower.

The Meister, who agreed to the interview, praised the system developed by Wall Flower for a considerable amount of time and did not spare praise for the innovative design completed by the touch of the famous designer Lee….

Click.

Jaesung closed the internet news page and began browsing fashion-related web communities.

– Is it real that Wall Flower watch articles are popping up now? I can understand Chairman Arnault, since he’s not really in the business of making proper watches, but did the Swiss watch tycoons take some kind of drug together….

– At this point, the quality seems guaranteed. I’ll take a close look when the lookbook is released, and if it looks good, I’m thinking of buying one.

– That’s funny. I guarantee it will be released at a price you can’t even dream of. Don’t have silly dreams, wash your feet, lie down, and prepare for work.

– Didn’t you see the official article? They’re planning to release it with detailed trims and options, so the lower trims will be released at a price that ordinary people can afford?

– Yeah, but it’s still a basic model, right? Awesome, right? Amazing, right?

– That’s hilarious. What’s wrong with a basic model without added options? Still, the essence is that you’re wearing the same watch as the Swiss watch tycoons.

– I agree with the comment above. I’m going to break my savings or pay in installments to buy it. Of course, the truth is excessive consumption disguised as motivation.

Not only domestic media but also foreign media outlets were pouring out articles and columns related to the Wall Flower watch.

Just as Jaesung was staring at the monitor screen, Director Song, who had just entered the president’s office, cleared his throat a few times to make his presence known and then opened his mouth.

“President, can I sit here for a bit?”

“You can even sleep here.”

“I’m tearfully grateful.”

Director Song, who gave a short answer, tilted his head slightly and asked again.

“You’re looking at articles again, aren’t you?”

“Community reactions.”

“Yeah, it’s a complete mess.”

“It’s interesting.”

“Anyway, I think we’ve survived this year.”

Jaesung nodded a few times as if he agreed.

He thought that, starting with the launch, he wouldn’t have to suffer from ‘poor sales’ for a year.

“Oh, right. And the first-generation model for women is also complete.”

“Yes. I checked the photos. When can I see the real thing?”

“It will arrive at the headquarters sometime this evening.”

Jaesung nodded once and stood up, asking.

“Oh, right. By the way, when can you finalize the list of designers supporting the ‘Black Label Edition’?”

“I don’t think there’s any need to finalize it.”

“Pardon?”

“The entire design team submitted participation forms. Even the interns submitted participation forms, didn’t they?”

After finishing speaking, Director Song grumbled, “Why did you make things so complicated when this was going to happen anyway? You only made me suffer from organizing the documents….”

Jaesung quickly sat down in the seat opposite Director Song, who was busy making sarcastic remarks, and replied soothingly.

“I’m sorry. Actually, when I first brought up the Black Label Edition project at the meeting, everyone seemed hesitant.”

“They’re probably all going to jump in with their eyes blazing. If they work hard with gritted teeth, it’s a job that could really change their fate.”

Was it thanks to the last F/W [Fall/Winter] season? Within the industry, Wall Flower’s image has become famous as a brand that doesn’t consider experience or connections at all and will commercialize any good design.

So even the intern designers must have submitted project participation applications.

Of course, the same goes for this Black Label Edition design submission.

If they brought a good design, they were planning to not only commercialize it but also provide generous incentives and royalties.

At that moment, Director Song snapped his fingers and said.

“And by the way, I contacted agencies on the side of Billboard-level artists through Youngguk.”

“Youngguk?”

“Yeah. It’s an idea from the Sales Team 2, wondering if it would be a good idea to include Wall Flower watches in Billboard stars’ music videos.”

After finishing speaking, Director Song added, “Not just watches, but also daily necessities with the Wall Flower logo on them.”

Jaesung’s eyes widened as if he was interested, and he asked again.

“What was the conclusion?”

“Hehe, I wouldn’t have brought it up if it ended badly.”

“Then…?”

Director Song smiled triumphantly and replied.

“There’s a ‘compilation’ album that Billboard-level hip-hop artists are preparing this time. It’s an album produced by artists who have reached number one on the Billboard hip-hop charts, and the title track will be a newly produced collaboration song.”

“Wait a minute. So, you mean we can get Wall Flower products to appear in the title track music video of that compilation album?”

“Of course, of course. Who do you think I am? Aren’t I Song Inhyuk, who skillfully handles anything the president orders, as long as it doesn’t violate the law?”

Jaesung hugged Director Song, who was pounding his chest hard like a dignified lowland gorilla, and replied.

“You’re the only one I have, Director Song? You’ve really worked hard.”

“Geez, why are you being so gross? It’s not like I did anything great….”

Director Song began to explain the rough draft of the compilation album’s title track music video.

The music video would include scenes of a hip-hop artist writing lyrics with a Wall Flower fountain pen, looking at Wall Flower products hanging in a closet, sleeping under Wall Flower blankets in a bedroom with a Wall Flower carpet, and finally visiting a slum that could be called his hometown and handing out Wall Flower watches to the neighborhood children.

Of course, since it was only a draft, the detailed parts were subject to change, and he added that some scenes could be added.

“It would be nice if it increased more, but I think this much is enough.”

It was a golden opportunity to transform the Wall Flower watch into a ‘symbol of self-made success or success.’

Since many famous artists were participating, the exposure of the music video would definitely not be small.

Director Song smiled and added again.

“The sales team employee who came up with the idea was promoted by one rank and sent on an overseas trip with their family. They’re also planning to give them a special bonus in next month’s allowance. Is that okay?”

“Of course. You don’t have to report such details to me; please handle them at your discretion.”

“Really? Then can I give Lee Jinkyung a raise? Since a pretty female employee came into the office, I’m enjoying coming to work these days?”

“If you’re willing to deduct that amount from your salary, you can do so.”

Jaesung and Director Song laughed like teenagers, as if they had made a promise.

After laughing for a while, Director Song shook his head a few times as if trying to regain his composure and said.

“Oh, I put the watch lookbook model list in the messenger. Check the portfolios and send me a list of your favorite models.”

“Really? I’ll start right now and send it to you within an hour.”

“By the way, how is the S/S [Spring/Summer] season preparation going? That’s the most pressing issue, isn’t it?”

“Of course. I’m confident this season too.”

“Really? That’s perfect. First, let’s blow it up once with the S/S season products, then twice with the watch products. Finally, blow it up three times with the Black Label Edition….”

Director Song trailed off and added with a smile.

“If that really happens, we might be able to have the whole world.”

* * *

After sorting through the model list and sending it to Director Song, I left work earlier than usual.

I felt stuffy drawing diagrams at the headquarters, so I was planning to finish the remaining work at the mansion in the Cheongdam-dong [an affluent neighborhood in Seoul] residential complex where I live with Ashlyn.

When I entered the house, Ashlyn was startled and asked.

“Why did you leave work so early today?”

“Just because I missed you.”

“Dinner?”

“I haven’t eaten yet.”

“I’ll prepare it soon.”

Jaesung responded with a smile and headed straight to the separate room that was decorated for use as a studio.

From the latest iMac PC to the types of tablet products preferred by world-renowned designers, all the work equipment was perfectly equipped.

First, Jaesung took off his coat and hung it neatly on the chair, then immediately sat down at the desk and picked up a ballpoint pen.

A Monami ballpoint pen [a common and inexpensive Korean pen] that can be easily purchased at any stationery store in the country.

Wasn’t the main keyword of this season ‘Wall Flower-like,’ ‘Wall Flower feeling,’ and ‘Wall Flower-esque’ design?

Although they were concise and abstract keywords, I felt like the diagrams I had to draw appeared in a row when I closed my eyes.

And it was so clear that I even had the illusion that I could reach out and touch them.

How could that be?

When I was making imitations in the Dongdaemun [a famous fashion district in Seoul] underground studio, inhaling the flying asbestos powder.

In those days, I had to worry more about the next day after midnight than about the artistic endeavors I should have been doing as an artist.

In those days, I had to feel pressured just by worrying about making a living, not worrying about living well.

Wasn’t it that time that set the framework for the current Wall Flower?

Jaesung leaned back slightly and rested his body on the back of the chair, staring at the curtains fluttering in the wind that seeped through the slightly open door.

After sitting blankly like that for a while.

Jaesung closed his eyes tightly and began to grope for the worst moments that he didn’t want to return to but made him who he is today.

The workbench in the Dongdaemun underground studio where I produced thousands of imitations.

A small notebook that would appear when I struggled to open the drawer located at the lower left of that workbench.

The foundation of the Wall Flower brand was contained in that notebook.

The diagrams drawn on the yellowed paper in the notebook, whose cover had been worn out from being used for so long, allowed the current Wall Flower to exist.

And now.

The diagrams that had been sunk to the bottom of the surface of memory began to float to the surface one by one.

Quickly and smoothly, like the way the sand that had settled on the bottom rises when a stone is thrown into a puddle.

Those diagrams are the identity of Wall Flower. They are diagrams that symbolize and represent Wall Flower.

They are Wall Flower’s unique identity and diagrams that perfectly match the concept of this season.

“Okay, let’s do it.”

Jaesung said in a small voice and gripped the pen in his hand even tighter.

At the same time as a few drops of ink that had formed at the tip of the pen touched the ground, he began to materialize the design that had been floating around in Jaesung’s head.

Just like when he was drawing diagrams with the ‘Wall Flower pencil’ that had returned to the past with him.

The hand holding the pen was moving smoothly and quickly, without even a hint of hesitation.

Swish, swish.

The pleasant sound that rang out when the pen and the paper, and the surface of the desk underneath, touched each other began to fill the room.

Jaesung was just drawing diagrams with eyes that didn’t contain any thoughts.

“Lee, dinner….”

Ashlyn, who had stepped into the studio, checked Jaesung’s back, who was immersed in his work, and gave a faint smile.

Then, she left the studio with the utmost caution.

It was because she could sense that the diagrams of Wall Flower’s 2015 S/S season products were being created one by one, one after another.