Black Label [EN]: Chapter 236

Black Label 235

236. Trophy Collecting

“What? No, wait a minute. What did you say you received as a gift…?”

In response to Director Song’s question over the phone, Jaeseung hesitated for a moment, saying, “Well…” before carefully adding,

“A brand house. Even I can’t quite believe it this time.”

“Goodness, seeing you like this makes me think you really live in a different world.”

“I think you should check your schedule first and come to France right away.”

“Okay, I understand. By the way, how did the LVMH Group department store pre-order event go?”

Jaeseung picked up the takeout coffee cup on the bedside table and replied,

“Yes, the preparations are perfectly complete, and all that’s left is to pray for good results.”

“Okay, I understand. Even after all the awards ceremony schedules are finished, there’s no chance for you to come back to Korea, right?”

Jaeseung replied, “Yes, probably,” and looked up, slowly starting to organize his thoughts.

At this rate, he would be spending the end of this year and the beginning of next year abroad, and only after all the schedules were finished would he be able to set foot on Korean soil.

It was because of the awards ceremony schedule. The awards ceremonies would proceed in the order of the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, and France.

In the end, he would have to return to France again.

‘I wish the French awards ceremony had been held first…’

Just as Jaeseung was lost in thought, Director Song spoke again.

“Anyway, I understand. Travel safely, and let’s meet in France after the awards ceremony schedule is finished.”

“Yes, I understand. Please take good care of your health and go through some trouble for me.”

After ending the call with these words, Jaeseung got up and stretched.

He unknowingly let out a groan, “Ugh…” and immediately checked the time.

Looking out the window, he saw that dawn was breaking.

Jaeseung shook Ashlyn, who was fast asleep on the bed, and said,

“Ashlyn, I think you should start getting up now.”

“Huh? Okay. Don’t tell me you didn’t sleep at all?”

“Well, I didn’t, but it’s okay. I can sleep on the plane. I’ll get ready first.”

Ashlyn sat up in bed and began to rub her sleepy eyes.

It was time to leave France for the packed awards ceremony schedule.

* * *

Inside the Boeing 747 of Billy Ban Corporation, recognized as the world’s largest agency.

Jaeseung and Ashlyn were sitting side by side, spending their time individually.

Jaeseung was flipping through a fashion magazine, and Ashlyn was engrossed in watching a documentary playing on the TV screen installed in her seat.

“Ashlyn, is it that interesting?”

“Yeah. Do you want to watch it too, Lee?”

“No, I’m okay.”

Jaeseung replied briefly, put down the magazine, and began to stare at Ashlyn.

Before calling Billy Ban Corporation’s private jet, he had made a suggestion to Ashlyn.

He suggested that she didn’t need to return to Korea first and that she could stay in France until his awards ceremony schedule was finished.

However, Ashlyn’s opinion was firm.

‘No. If it’s okay with Lee, I want to watch Lee’s award-winning scenes live.’

Jaeseung let out a hum, “Hmm…” and added,

“Ashlyn, wouldn’t it be better to stay in France? The schedule is tight, so it will be tough…”

“No. No matter how busy and difficult it is, I’d rather be with Lee.”

Thanks to her sincere words, a smile naturally appeared on his face.

Jaeseung, who had been smiling blankly for a moment, brushed Ashlyn’s hair behind her ear.

* * *

The first awards ceremony was the ‘Council of Fashion Designers of America’ awards ceremony, where he had previously won the New Designer of the Year award.

As soon as he and Ashlyn took a step into the spacious banquet hall, countless people began to greet them.

Of course, this included ‘Marc Jacobs’ and ‘Alexander King,’ who were known to have a close friendship with Jaeseung.

“Lee!”

Alexander King rushed over with a happy face and gave Jaeseung a hug.

Jaeseung smiled at Alexander and asked,

“Have you been doing well?”

“Of course. Sit down first.”

Marc Jacobs, who was sitting at a round table, gave a sly smile and said,

“Lee, congratulations. Awards are awards, but…”

Marc Jacobs trailed off, his gaze directed at Ashlyn, who was clinging to Jaeseung’s side.

Jaeseung twitched his eyebrows slightly and asked again in a playful tone,

“The official report hasn’t even been released yet, but the rumors have already spread?”

“Hehehe, of course. I think everyone who needs to know already knows.”

The four of them had various conversations before the awards ceremony began.

Ashlyn had also collaborated with them several times, so she was able to naturally assimilate into the atmosphere.

Soon, all the lights in the banquet hall went out, signaling the start of the awards ceremony.

As the host in a neat tuxedo stepped onto the podium, Ashlyn held Jaeseung’s hand tightly.

“Lee, don’t worry. Everything will be fine. The goddess of luck is by your side.”

How long had it been? One by one, the winners began to be announced.

Some shed tears of joy at the announcement, while others couldn’t contain their excitement and screamed.

Jaeseung watched with a relaxed heart, as if he were a third party with no connection to the awards ceremony.

This was possible because he was not active in the American fashion scene, so he could not be a winner in the main awards category.

On the other hand, Marc Jacobs and Alexander King, who were nominated for the ‘Designer of the Year’ award, which could be said to be the most prestigious award, seemed unable to shake off their tension.

– The next award is the ‘International Awards’ category. The International Awards category is for the most outstanding designers who are not active in the American fashion scene…

As the host’s voice echoed through the speakers, Ashlyn said, “Lee…” in a slightly excited tone.

Jaeseung nodded in response and began to watch the host on the podium with full concentration.

– Now, let’s announce the winner. The winner of the 2015 CFDA Awards [Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards], International Awards category, is Lee of Wallflower. Would you please come up to the stage?

The long pin lights began to shine on the round table where Jaeseung was sitting.

Jaeseung bowed to the audience who were applauding him and slowly and confidently began to walk towards the podium.

The huge screen was showing Jaeseung’s 모습 [Korean for ‘appearance’ or ‘figure’], and the host began to explain why Jaeseung was chosen as the winner until Jaeseung stepped onto the podium.

– ‘Lee’ successfully introduced his brand Wallflower to the world through the recent Paris Fashion Week, and he has shown unprecedentedly great results by presenting groundbreaking and innovative designs that are exemplary to many designers…

Just as Jaeseung was about to step down from the stage after receiving the trophy and plaque, the host quickly brought the microphone to his mouth and said,

– Lee, please wait a moment. We will proceed with the next category award right away.

Jaeseung was making a bewildered expression.

– Now, the next award is the ‘Contribution to the Development of Modern Fashion’ category. The Contribution to the Development of Modern Fashion category is an award given to the designer who has given the most inspiration or influence to designers throughout the year, selected by vote…

Only then did Jaeseung succeed in grasping the situation and gave a triumphant smile.

– The winner of the 2015 CFDA Awards, ‘Contribution to the Development of Modern Fashion’ category, is Lee of Wallflower. Congratulations.

Two stage staff members who had been waiting in the backstage area on the side of the stage began to walk out, each holding a medal and a trophy.

The stage staff who appeared on the stage placed a medal around Jaeseung’s neck and gave him another trophy to hold.

The host looked at Jaeseung and said in a cheerful voice,

– Lee, congratulations on winning two awards!

In the midst of the grand applause that seemed to shake the venue, Jaeseung smiled brightly.

It was only the first awards ceremony.

* * *

After the event was over, he enjoyed some time with his ‘friends’ before moving on to the next schedule, the Spanish Fashion Designers Association Awards Ceremony.

Marc Jacobs, Alexander King, and other designers from the Parsons group [referring to graduates or affiliates of Parsons School of Design].

The ‘Designer of the Year’ award, which could be said to be the most prestigious award, went to Alexander King.

Marc Jacobs, despite losing the champion title he had held for many years, was sincerely congratulating Alexander King on his award.

“Alexander, congratulations. You deserved to be recognized as the best this year.”

“Marc, thank you.”

“Why do you need to thank me? It’s not like I gave you the award.”

At Marc Jacobs’ words, Alexander King suddenly looked at Jaeseung and said,

“Lee, congratulations on winning two awards. And thank you for helping me win the Designer of the Year award.”

“Thank you. But how could I have helped you win the Designer of the Year award…?”

“If Wallflower had come to New York Fashion Week, this trophy would have been Lee’s.”

“That’s not true. It’s a completely different matter.”

Alexander King responded with a smile to Jaeseung’s words, who shook his hand.

It was a pleasant after-party. Most of the designers from the LA crew, which symbolizes the Parsons group, were able to win a trophy or plaque each.

Among them, the ones that contributed the most to overheating the atmosphere were Alexander King’s ‘Designer of the Year’ award and Jaeseung’s ‘two awards’.

Alexander King won the best award, and Jaeseung swept two awards given by the American Fashion Designers Association to external designers.

In less than a minute, information spreads from one end of the earth to the other, right?

Jaeseung’s award-winning facts have already spread all over the world, and they are still spreading.

[ Wallflower’s owner designer, ‘Lee’, achieved two awards at the American Fashion Designers Association Awards Ceremony. First as an external designer. ]

[ Designer Lee won two awards at the 2015 CFDA Awards Ceremony. Won the International Awards and the Contribution to Modern Fashion category. ]

Of course, this was just the beginning.