Black Label [EN]: Chapter 247

Black Label Episode 246

247. Final Goal, Wallflower Black Label Edition

“Has the designer still not been in contact?”

Director Song responded curtly to Lee Kang-jun’s question over the phone.

“No. You know he’s always been a maverick.”

As soon as Jae-seung returned to Korea, he delegated all sorts of authority to Director Song.

And then? He began to avoid all contact, saying he would return after drawing up all the schematics for the Black Label Edition.

That was a full three weeks ago. Director Song began to organize his thoughts, tapping his desk lightly with his fingers.

It’s not that he doesn’t know where Jae-seung is.

He had heard from the employee who handled the sale contract for the underground studio near Dongdaemun [a major shopping district in Seoul] that Jae-seung was staying there.

The reason he doesn’t go to see him? It was a matter of trust and consideration.

Soon, when the time comes, he will return with the schematics for this Black Label Edition.

Director Song was determined to help Jae-seung focus solely on his design work until then.

Strictly speaking, it was a state of semi-seclusion.

“I’ll let you know as soon as he gets back, so just wait. I know where he is, so don’t worry too much.”

– Where is he?

“I haven’t gone to see him, but it seems he’s eating and sleeping in the underground studio near Dongdaemun, preparing for the Black Label Edition products.”

– Huh? Dongdaemun…?

“You can’t figure him out, can you? That’s just how the boss is.”

Director Song chuckled once, then had more conversation with Lee Kang-jun before hanging up.

From what he heard, it was clear that Lee Kang-jun was also having a busy time.

After this Paris Fashion Week ended, Lee Kang-jun also rose to stardom overnight.

The stock price of Diamond Look was rising day by day, and Lee Kang-jun seemed to be simply proud of his title, which was like his nickname, ‘Little Lee’.

“Hoo-.”

After finishing the call, Director Song stretched out and then summoned the strategy and planning team staff for a meeting through the company messenger program.

It was to draw up various drafts related to the sale of this Black Label Edition.

Why start preparing already when the schematics haven’t even come out yet?

Director Song had no doubt that Jae-seung had already completed a large number of schematics.

In a few days, maybe even today, Jae-seung might knock on the door of the director’s office and come in as if nothing had happened.

He would bring a thick file full of documents and hand it over, asking nonchalantly, “Director, how is it?”

Then he would rummage through the documents and answer. Perfect. Amazing.

Director Song stood in front of the large glass window on one side of his office and began to look down at the city of Cheongdam-dong [an affluent district in Seoul] beyond the window.

Snowflakes were falling, dancing in the sky, due to the fiercely swirling wind.

Just as Director Song was lost in thought.

Knock knock-.

Someone knocked on the door of the director’s office, and soon the tightly closed door slowly began to open.

It was Jae-seung who appeared through the slightly opened door.

“Wow, the weather is no joke today, huh?”

Jae-seung, muttering with a slight frown, immediately placed the file he was holding on the coffee table in the center of the director’s office.

“By the way, what are you doing in front of the window?”

“Just feeling a bit sentimental.”

Director Song answered briefly, then immediately took a seat on the sofa in front of the coffee table and began to slowly look through the schematics that Jae-seung had prepared.

Yeah, I knew it. I knew he would suddenly appear like this and act nonchalantly as if nothing had happened.

Just as Director Song was rummaging through the documents with a bright smile, Jae-seung tilted his head slightly and asked again.

“Director, how is it?”

Director Song looked at Jae-seung and burst into laughter, “Kyahahaha!” and then answered.

“Perfect. Amazing.”

* * *

Several days had passed since Jae-seung returned to Wallflower’s headquarters.

“We will now close the design submission for this Black Label Edition.”

At Jae-seung’s words, joy and sorrow crossed the faces of the designers sitting in the conference room.

The designers who were participating in this Black Label Edition could not hide their joy, while those who were not could only show their disappointment.

Jae-seung neatly stacked the documents in his hand and added again.

“The selected schematics will be assigned to dedicated Meister’s [German word for master craftsman] today.”

The moment Jae-seung’s words ended, a small commotion arose among some of the designers.

That is, the Black Label products will be 100 percent handmade.

Some seemed relieved and let out a sigh of relief, while others slumped their bodies.

Now, all that was left for the designers to do was to watch and coordinate the work of the dedicated Meister’s so that the schematics they had drawn could be created as intended without any distortion.

It was the moment when the baton of overwork and late-night work was passed from the hands of the designers to the hands of the Meister’s.

* * *

As the great event drew closer, time began to pass even faster.

The rate at which snow melted was faster than the rate at which it accumulated. Occasionally, the sunlight was warmer than usual for late winter.

If you closed your eyes, you could clearly hear the footsteps of spring.

Another season was changing, but there was no change in Jae-seung’s life.

He always woke up at the same time and struggled to finish the seemingly indigestible tasks every day.

When he closed his eyes and opened them, new tasks were waiting for him.

“Boss, are you busy?”

At Director Song’s sudden intrusion into the president’s office, Jae-seung rubbed his tired eyes and answered.

“Is something wrong?”

“Yes, there is.”

Director Song smiled slyly and took out a brightly shining gold envelope from his coat pocket and continued.

“What do you think this is?”

“Could it be…?”

“Bingo.”

Jae-seung jumped up from his seat and immediately received the envelope from Director Song and began to examine it.

The words ‘Wallflower Black Label Edition’ were neatly engraved on the envelope, which was made of gold in color and material.

In addition, finely ground ivory powder was sprinkled on top.

What is this?

It was an invitation to the launch event of this Black Label Edition product, which was made with great care.

It was a high-end invitation made of the finest materials, which would be sent to only 200 special customers who boasted the highest purchase amount among all customers worldwide.

He carefully opened the envelope and began to examine the contents inside.

Similarly, only a few short and clear explanations were written on the invitation made of gold.

The Black Label Edition product of Wallflower has been released, and we invite you, a special person, to the brand house.

Sales will be on a first-come, first-served basis, and you can bring only one acquaintance. The date and location are as follows.

As Jae-seung read the details on the invitation several times, Director Song smiled and added in an excited tone.

“We’re going to send them all out today. There’s no need to delay, right?”

“Good idea.”

After speaking, Jae-seung looked out the window.

The bright sunlight was diligently erasing the traces of winter remaining on the streets.

Spring is coming.

Spring. It may be the most hopeful and exciting word among the words consisting of one syllable in this world.

* * *

The next day, Director Song immediately left for France.

In the case of the Black Label Edition sales event, no separate marketing was involved, so he was given a short vacation until the day of the event.

On the other hand, Jae-seung remained in Korea and watched the Meister’s work process, giving encouragement and advice.

Even the unit price of one button was worth several pieces of clothing from a fast fashion brand.

In other words, they were the highest-grade products made in the form of manual labor using only the highest-quality materials and materials.

If they were to be sold at an absurdly high price compared to other products as planned, he thought that putting in this much effort was nothing.

Days, two days, time passed endlessly.

Jae-seung entrusted himself to the rapidly passing time and moved frantically.

As time passed, the lineup was gradually being completed.

By the time he had almost succeeded in filling the number of product types he had set as a goal.

The Black Label Edition sales event was only about fifteen days away.

Jae-seung, who had taken a nap on the sofa in the atelier, struggled to open his sleepy eyes.

The Meister’s were emaciated and were busy sewing.

What should I say? The fact that he had fallen asleep in front of them felt just sorry.

After letting out a sigh, Jae-seung began to check his smartphone.

“Hmm?”

As if something had happened, there were about a dozen missed calls from Chairman Ardo.

Jae-seung cleared his throat a few times to loosen his locked voice, and then immediately called Chairman Ardo.

After a few repeated ringing tones, Chairman Ardo’s raised voice was heard.

– Lee, why is it so hard to get in touch with you? Do you even know what’s going on right now?

“Yes? What do you mean…?”

– Don’t be surprised to hear it. Tickets for the Wallflower Black Label Edition are being traded secretly.

Jae-seung sighed once and added in a nonchalant tone, “I thought something serious had happened.”

The secret trading of tickets for the Black Label Edition sales event of a specific brand.

According to what he had heard, this was a common occurrence.

Among those who did not receive an invitation, how many would not have a fanatic attachment to the brand?

Therefore, most brands allow admission and purchase as long as they have an invitation, even if they are not the ones who directly sent the invitation.

Jae-seung was about to get up from the sofa with a nonchalant expression.

– No, yes. The trading of tickets for the Black Label Edition sales event may be a common occurrence. That’s not why I’m making a fuss. Price. Because of the price.

“Yes? Price?”

– It’s really interesting. The condition for allowing a person who received an invitation to accompany them is more than 100,000 dollars, and in the case of handing over the invitation itself, it is traded at a price far exceeding three times that amount. Even after the event is over, there are even people who want to buy the invitation and envelope.

After speaking, Chairman Ardo burst into laughter and added.

– The public’s ‘*Cult Of Personality*’ towards you and Wallflower has been maximized!