Black Label [EN]: Chapter 239

Black Label 238

239. Trophy Collecting (4)

And then.

– The winner of the French Fashion Development Contribution Award is Wallflower, Lee. Congratulations.

As Jae-seung rose from his seat and walked toward the podium at the host’s words, the host’s various additional explanations began to flow through the speakers.

– Lee has contributed the most to designers and brands this year with his unconventional performances and designs. In addition, he has contributed to the overall development of the French fashion industry….

The awards ceremony continued, and Jae-seung’s name was called from time to time.

– The winner of this year’s Best-Selling Brand Award is Wallflower’s Lee. Would you please come forward? Wallflower has succeeded in generating the most operating profit among the brands that participated in Paris Fashion Week this year….

– The winner of this year’s Gold Dimble Award is Wallflower’s, Lee. The Gold Dimble Award is awarded at the discretion of the President of the French Fashion Designers Association….

With this, he had achieved a record of winning four awards, and according to ‘Nable,’ an employee of Billy Van Corporation, he had already set the record for the most awards.

As Jae-seung returned to his seat, Chairman Ardo, who had said, “Congratulations again,” added in a meaningful tone.

“Now, only the main event is left.”

As is usually the case with awards ceremonies, the announcement of the winner in the most prestigious category is naturally placed at the end.

This was also the case with the French Fashion Designers Association Awards ceremony.

Jae-seung turned his head and began to look at the trophies and plaques that were piled up on the round table where he was sitting.

The trophies and plaques he had received so far were also clearly ‘symbols of glory.’

But, well? The announcement of the winner in the most prestigious category, which would definitely be a great help to his career, was just beginning.

Just as Jae-seung was lost in thought.

– Next is the ‘Director of the Year’ category.

Director of the Year.

This award is given when a designer achieves great results in a brand other than their own.

It was a glorious award that was the ultimate goal for designers who had not launched their own brand or who mainly worked for other brands.

Once again, the list of nominees was broadcast on the screen. Of course, Jae-seung’s name was also included on the list.

However, there was one difference….

– Lee, Jhanel

Jae-seung’s affiliation was registered as ‘Jhanel,’ not Wallflower.

Chairman Wertheimer took a long breath and opened his mouth.

“Lee, I don’t want to put any pressure on you.”

“You can speak comfortably.”

“I really hope that this award will be Lee’s.”

After speaking, Chairman Wertheimer smiled bitterly and added quietly.

“If Karl hears about Lee’s award, he will be really happy.”

After speaking, Chairman Wertheimer added, “Really.”

Jae-seung nodded his head as if he agreed, and then began to look at the screen again.

Yes. I know. I know. If Karl had heard about his award, he would have been really happy.

Of course, he would have tried not to show it because of his personality. What kind of congratulatory words would he have given?

Wouldn’t he have taken credit for it, saying that it was only an award he could receive thanks to him? Wouldn’t he have boasted that he would have cut ties with him if he hadn’t received this award? Or what?

While Jae-seung was letting his imagination run wild, he suddenly chuckled, and Ashlyn tilted her head slightly and asked.

“Lee, what’s wrong?”

“No, just….”

Jae-seung straightened his posture and began to look at the podium again.

Of course, the other designers nominated for the award were also very competitive: Kenji, Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Balenciaga, and a total of seven brands had successfully completed the season by employing sub-directors.

Thoughts deepened. The anxiety that began to rise like smoke began to surge and ripple like waves.

Jae-seung took a long breath and closed his eyes.

It felt like he could hear Karl’s voice like a hallucination.

Lee, have confidence.

Just as Jae-seung was lost in thought.

The host, who had been holding back for a long time, began to speak in a serious tone.

– Now, we will announce the winner of the Director of the Year award.

Once again, all the lights in the hall went out and music that heightened the tension began to play.

Then, as Jae-seung clasped his hands together as if praying and chewed on his lower lip, which was in vain.

– Congratulations to Lee of Jhanel! Would you please come up to the podium?

Chairman Wertheimer punched the air and shouted, “Yes!”

It seemed that he could not control his excited emotions.

Of course, Jae-seung was also unable to control his soaring emotions.

He jumped up from his seat, looked at the ceiling, and said, “Thank you, thank you,” several times before he began to walk toward the podium.

Then, some scenes from the ‘Motivation Documentary’ filmed by the brand for non-profit purposes began to be broadcast on the screen.

In short, it was a documentary that contained the overall production process of the season and the collection stage scene, which was a valuable result.

Karl Lagerfeld and Jae-seung sitting face to face, smoking cigarettes, and talking about various things.

Tickling each other like real brothers and laughing happily.

Having serious conversations in a cold atmosphere.

And finally, some of the collection scenes that were praised by countless people….

– Designer Lee overcame the concerns of many people and succeeded in preparing for Wallflower’s participation in Paris Fashion Week while also succeeding as the director of Jhanel.

This season of Jhanel, which was a collaboration between Karl Lagerfeld, a master of the French fashion industry, and Lee, a new designer, was praised as ‘the reincarnation of Coco Chanel,’ and after the season, Jhanel entered its third heyday….

Jae-seung, who was on the podium, received all the trophies and plaques, and then stood in front of the standing microphone again.

Unlike some awards where he omitted his acceptance speech, he expressed his intention to say something this time.

– Ah, ah….

After checking the microphone, Jae-seung continued to speak with a bright smile.

– It is truly a glorious award. At this glorious moment, I think of only one person. That person is the oldest of my friends.

Then, laughter began to flow from the audience.

This was a joke that could only be understood by those who could guess who Jae-seung was referring to.

– That’s right. Karl Lagerfeld. I want to give all the glory of this moment to Karl. Karl, I know you’re watching. Even if it’s a remote place, you still have a TV, right?

At Jae-seung’s words, some reporters opened their laptops and hurriedly began to write articles.

For them, it was the moment when one of the countless rumors surrounding Karl Lagerfeld, ‘Karl’s seclusion theory,’ was confirmed.

– You can scold me for making embarrassing remarks. But I really think it’s all thanks to you. You are my hero and the hero of countless new designers in the mainstream market.

After speaking, Jae-seung added with a calm expression, “That’s all,” and a loud applause began to echo in the hall.

As Jae-seung went down from the podium and returned to his seat, some designers and industry officials who were close to him gave him words of encouragement.

“It’s already 5 crowns. You only need three more! Then you’ll become a legend.”

“Yes, let’s sweep them all away while we’re at it!”

Jae-seung responded to their encouragement with a simple greeting, and then, as he returned to his seat.

The people sitting at the same table each gave him words of congratulations again.

Then, Jae-seung held Ashlyn’s hand tightly and continued to speak in a calm tone.

“Ashlyn, let’s have a good time after the awards ceremony.”

“Okay. I like it.”

“Let’s drink a lot of alcohol first. Spending good time with good people. Let’s put aside our worries and concerns about tomorrow for a while, just like that….”

* * *

As soon as he opened his eyes, his brow furrowed.

He unknowingly groaned, “Kkeueu…,” and at the same time, he got up from the bed. His stomach was burning, and his whole body seemed to be trembling.

In addition, he felt like his head would break at any moment due to the intense headache.

He turned his head and looked beside him, and Ashlyn was fast asleep.

He groped for his cell phone, but he couldn’t find it easily. He couldn’t know exactly, but it seemed clear that it was past noon.

That was the case when judging by the density of the sunlight seeping through the window.

Just as Jae-seung was sitting blankly in his seat. Ashlyn opened her eyes dimly and said.

“Lee, are you already awake? Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah. But I think I have a hangover….”

“Of course. Because you drank so much until morning.”

As Ashlyn also raised her upper body, Jae-seung began to recall his memories.

It was impossible. Perhaps because he had drunk so much alcohol, his memory was completely cut off.

Jae-seung frowned and carefully said, “Ashlyn, I don’t remember anything.” Ashlyn hugged Jae-seung tightly and said.

“Yesterday’s Lee was really the best.”

“Huh?”

“In many ways.”

Then, Jae-seung’s gaze turned to the dressing table next to the bed.

Instead of Ashlyn’s cosmetics, countless trophies and plaques were neatly lined up on the dressing table.

Only then did the events of last night, which had been submerged below the surface of his memory, begin to emerge.

It was like when a stone is thrown into a puddle, the sand grains that had been沉淀 [chéndiàn: sedimented] on the bottom rise to the surface.

“Ah….”

Just as Jae-seung was making a blank face.

Ashlyn picked up her smartphone and said, “Just a moment.”

How much time had passed? Ashlyn began to show her smartphone screen.

What was shown on the screen was none other than a web news page. Most of the articles were about him.

After rubbing his eyes, Jae-seung began to read the title of the headline article out loud.

“Lee, sets a new record by winning 8 awards at the 2015 French Fashion Designers Association Awards… ?”

Then, Ashlyn hugged Jae-seung again and added.

“Congratulations. Now you are a living legend.”