Black Label [EN]: Chapter 237

237. Trophy Collecting (2)

[Hot Designer ‘Lee’ Currently on an International Trophy Collecting Spree Across Various Designer Associations?]

Lee, who previously won two awards at the American Fashion Designers Association ceremony, also won the International Awards at the Spanish Fashion Designers Association ceremony held today….

[Designer ‘Lee’ Sweeps International Awards in the US, Spain, and Now the UK.]

Lee, the owner and designer of the premium brand Wall Flower, has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the ‘International Awards’ at the British Fashion Designers Association ceremony held today, thus sweeping the International Awards at the association ceremonies of three countries.

Columnist Phil Adore posted on his personal SNS, “I am looking forward to the French Association ceremony, which can be said to be Lee’s main stage. I can’t predict how far his upward trend will continue.”

* * *

After the British Fashion Designers Association ceremony ended, Jaesung immediately headed to the airport.

His destination: France, the final stop on this awards ceremony circuit.

The limousine carrying Jaesung, Ashlyn, and agency staff was smoothly gliding down the darkened road.

Jaesung was looking at Ashlyn’s face, who had fallen asleep leaning on his shoulder, when…

“Lee, congratulations.”

A young man with a pomade hairstyle, sitting in the passenger seat of the limousine, spoke in a soft tone.

Jaesung replied with a faint smile.

“Thank you, Nebl.”

Nebl.

A personal secretary dispatched from Jaesung’s agency, ‘Billy Van Corporation,’ was a competent and meticulous professional.

He adjusted his rimless glasses and continued.

“After extensive research, this is the first time a designer has swept ‘International Awards’ in more than three countries. The company plans to leverage this achievement extensively.”

Since Jaesung is currently affiliated with the French Fashion Designers Association, the only award he can receive from other countries’ fashion designer associations is the International Awards category.

In other words, he has collected all the awards for which he is eligible.

When Jaesung replied in a nonchalant tone, “I see. Thank you,” Nebl made eye contact through the rearview mirror and continued.

“Now that all the preliminary events are over, only the ‘main event’ remains.”

The main event he was talking about was the French Fashion Designers Association ceremony. Jaesung muttered quietly.

“Main event….”

Unlike the awards ceremonies of other countries’ associations, where he was only nominated for the International Awards category, he was nominated for awards in eight categories at the French Fashion Designers Association ceremony, which could be called his main stage.

Of course, the list of nominees for each category was released through various channels, including the association’s official website.

Perhaps because of that?

– Oh my god, Lee is nominated for awards in eight categories?

– Is he going to set a record by winning eight awards?

In the already bustling atmosphere due to his International Awards sweep, the release of the list of nominees by the French Fashion Designers Association seemed to ignite the excitement even further.

It was as if more fuel had been added to an already blazing fire.

“Lee, are you feeling burdened by the current situation?”

Nebl asked carefully when Jaesung was silent with a heavy expression.

Nebl works at ‘Billy Van Corporation,’ recognized as the world’s largest agency, and has worked with dozens of artists.

Nebl believes that no matter how much fame, influence, and money they have, they are still human.

They experience joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure. Sometimes they fall into self-doubt, and sometimes they harbor insecurities.

Jaesung shook his head once and replied.

“I think I am, a little.”

After speaking, Jaesung turned his head and looked at Ashlyn. He didn’t want to show any weakness to her, even if he was comfortable doing so with others.

“The public desperately wants Lee to set a record by winning eight awards and become a champion. They are waiting for a revolution in the fashion world.”

“Yes, I think so too. But, that’s not entirely within our control, is it?”

Nebl nodded a few times and replied, “That’s the source of the burden.”

“If I may offer my opinion, how about trying to think as positively as possible? As you said, it’s not something you can do single-handedly.”

After speaking, Nebl smiled warmly and added again.

“Lee, even if you only win half of the eight categories you are currently nominated for, you will still hold the title of ‘first’ in many respects.”

“Yes…?”

“This is data personally investigated by Billy Van. And Billy Van’s data is absolutely accurate. Try to relax. Success is already guaranteed; it’s just a matter of degree.”

It was a comforting thought. It suggested that he wouldn’t completely disappoint public expectations.

Jaesung took a long breath and began to look out the window of the limousine.

He has already obtained several titles, but still…

Wouldn’t people naturally want to be the best of the best if possible?

Jaesung was no different.

Suddenly, he realized that the burden he was feeling might not have been solely created by public expectations.

He thought that it might be a burden created by his own ambition.

* * *

After arriving at the airport, he immediately boarded a private jet.

Throughout the journey to France, he tried his best not to dwell on the upcoming French Fashion Designers Association ceremony.

Although he was largely unsuccessful….

Whether he was reading a book, watching a movie, or trying to distract himself in any way, he found his concentration shattered within minutes.

Whenever thoughts related to the awards ceremony flashed through his mind, a throbbing that started deep inside his chest would spread throughout his body.

* * *

It was not until the morning of the awards ceremony that Jaesung arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France.

The awards ceremony starts around 7 p.m. He planned to take a break since he had about half a day of free time.

He would have gone straight to work as usual, but he was convinced that he wouldn’t be able to fully concentrate on work that day.

Just as he was about to board the Billy Van Corporation vehicle waiting in front of the airport, a call came from Chairman Ardo.

– Lee, I see you’ve finally arrived. All the media outlets are plastered with your achievements, aren’t they? Congratulations, sincerely.

“You flatter me.”

– Actually, I have good news. You were going to be notified by the agency soon anyway, but I couldn’t resist sharing it….

Jaesung asked, “Yes?” as if he was puzzled.

Chairman Ardo laughed and then continued.

– Thanks to you, the scale of this French Fashion Designers Association ceremony has grown significantly. It seems that TV channels from various countries have purchased live broadcast rights.

Jaesung was speechless, with a blank look on his face, so Chairman Ardo added again.

– In simple terms, this awards ceremony will be broadcast live in real-time around the world.

“Oh my god, is there a precedent for this?”

– Not that I know of. It’s common for reporters to swarm the awards ceremony hall, but it’s never received this much attention.

As Chairman Ardo said, usually, only a few articles with a few photos are posted.

There aren’t many viewers who want to watch a potentially boring awards ceremony.

France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, etc.

Not only public TV channels in each country but also cable channels that primarily cover fashion.

Even some channels in his home country, Korea, seemed to be involved.

As Chairman Ardo said, the scale of the awards ceremony itself had no choice but to expand.

Just as Jaesung exclaimed, “Huh…,” Chairman Ardo asked in a playful tone.

– I heard that the association readily granted the broadcasting rights. Once it becomes a major event, it will positively impact not only the ceremony but also the association’s reputation. Consequently, everyone seems to have rushed to purchase broadcasting rights. Anyway, it’s good for you. People all over the world will be watching you potentially set a record in real-time.

“I really can’t believe it. It’s so sudden and a little overwhelming….”

– Enjoy it to the fullest; it’s a great experience and opportunity that you may only have once in your life. Just think of it as having a few more spectators.

After exchanging some additional comments, Ashlyn, who was standing with a serious expression, carefully asked when he finished the call with Chairman Ardo.

“Lee, what’s wrong? Is something bad happening?”

Is something bad happening?

Well, I don’t know. Should I say that I don’t even know if this is a good thing or a bad thing?

At this point, I felt lighter.

Let’s not overthink it. You will achieve the success that aligns with your capabilities.

If I have worked hard enough this year to deserve winning eight awards, I will naturally achieve that level of success.

What if I get a result that doesn’t meet that expectation? Then I simply worked hard enough to achieve that particular outcome.

There is no absolute standard, but I decided to think that way.

I felt that thinking this way made my heart feel much lighter.

Jaesung took a long breath and glanced down at his wristwatch.

There were only about 10 hours left until the awards ceremony started.

Even now, the second hand was relentlessly ticking towards that moment.

Tick, tock-.