Black Label [EN]: Chapter 250

Black Label Extra Story 1

“It never ends, it just never ends…”

President Song muttered quietly, rubbing his tired eyes as he reviewed the approval documents he needed to finish that day.

President Song wasn’t particularly unhappy with his life, where he treated working overtime as a regular occurrence, though he rarely had time to eat.

Wallflower had consistently ranked first in brand value assessment every year since 2016….

And he had somehow risen to the position of CFO (Chief Financial Officer) at what could be called the world’s best brand.

“This is why personal connections are so important…”

President Song muttered quietly, gazing at the Seoul nightscape visible beyond his office window, talking to himself.

“I wonder if our CEO, who suddenly left, is doing well…”

He occasionally exchanged emails or phone calls with Jaesung, but they were brief greetings or updates.

“Is he not thinking of returning…”

The entire fashion industry still desperately hoped for the return of Wallflower’s owner-designer, known as ‘Lee.’

“Retiring in splendor while the whole world is applauding might be a pretty cool choice, but…”

It was a shame.

“If our CEO started sketching again, we might be reborn as an even greater brand…”

What made Jaesung leave?

Was it the weariness of the market that was the problem?

Critics who only talk big?

Or the fickleness of the public and public opinion?

The reason is impossible to guess, but….

“It’s a shame.”

It was regrettable.

Beeeeeeep!

At that moment, the fax machine on the office desk suddenly started spewing out paper with a loud noise….

“An official letter?”

It was an official letter from ‘Leadersmith,’ the law firm exclusively representing Wallflower and its owner-designer, Jaesung.

Soon.

President Song muttered quietly after checking the contents.

“Good heavens…”

It was because of the content written on the bottom line of the delivered official letter.

– Lee wishes to return.

– We are discussing it….

– We would like to ask for the CFO’s opinion.

* * *

Edin Thomas.

He successfully completed collaborations with several brands when he was young, gaining great fame at a relatively young age.

Now, when mentioning the best fashion schools in America, he was always mentioned as one of the top professors at Parsons School….

Thanks to the star designers Parsons produced since he took the podium, he too has gained a reputation as a distinguished professor.

Creak-.

Edin Thomas, who entered his office early in the morning before the sun had even risen, sat down with a cup of warm coffee in his hand.

“The beginning of this year is hectic as well.”

Edin Thomas, who has been teaching at Parsons School for over a decade, was having busy days without fail.

He was busy writing this year’s curriculum to submit to Parsons School….

He carefully reviewed the applications submitted by countless prospective students who wished to take his class, carefully grasping their tendencies.

Rustle, rustle.

While skimming through the cover letters (personal statements) that were part of the freshmen’s applications, something struck him.

He realized the passage of time.

Several designers who had dominated the same era as him had been relegated to the past with the label ‘elder statesman.’

And boys and girls who had grown up dreaming while watching them were growing into star designers, leading the ever-changing fashion world.

– I have been dreaming while watching the famous brand Wallflower….

– The designer I respect the most is ‘Lee.’

– I am applying to Parsons with the desire to become the second Lee….

Surprisingly, the application motivation section of the applications submitted by new students invariably contained the name ‘Lee’ or ‘Wallflower.’

“Lee….”

The children of the current generation were dreaming of becoming the second Lee.

A legend in the fashion world who suddenly disappeared from the scene.

A rising star designated by Karl Lagerfeld to lead the next generation….

The youngest major shareholder of the historic and prestigious Janel Group.

“I wonder if he’s doing well.”

Professor Edin Thomas gave a wry smile.

He remembered when Lee was his student.

“It was amazing….”

Of course, it wasn’t just because ‘Lee’ had achieved an absurd level of success before graduating.

How could he forget the student who submitted his brand instead of an admission portfolio?

His success brought great benefits to not only Professor Edin Thomas but also the entire Parsons School.

The fashion school that produced Lee.

Parsons’ status, which already had a clear image as a prestigious school, was further enhanced.

And the students all hoped to be able to take his class, as he was the professor in charge of ‘Lee’ during his school days.

Click.

Edin Thomas grabbed the mouse.

He was going to send an email to ‘Lee’ while he was thinking about it.

The two had been exchanging emails every few months.

“Hmm?”

Edin Thomas’s eyes widened as he opened his inbox.

It was because an email had arrived from ‘Lee.’

– To my dear and respected professor.

Edin Thomas took a deep breath and immediately clicked the mouse button to examine the contents of the email.

– Around this time of year, I suddenly remembered the endlessly cool air of Manhattan, so I ended up writing a few lines to you.

– As you know, I left the fashion world in 2017 and have been resting with my family on a small island in the South Pacific.

– As I repeated the happy and harmonious daily life that was repeated every day, a full four years had passed in the blink of an eye.

– Surprisingly, my daughter Yul, who seemed to have just been born, has grown up enough to read and write English and Korean herself….

It was an email containing the peaceful daily life of his beloved disciple.

But….

What remained in Professor Edin Thomas’s mind were only the last few lines.

– Yesterday, my daughter casually asked me about my job.

– It’s impromptu, but I’m discussing return methods with the law firm.

– I think I’ll be arriving in France sometime next week.

– I know you’re having busy days because it’s the beginning of the year, but….

– I would like to see you once if you have time.

Edin Thomas smiled slightly.

“Good heavens….”

It was because he had a feeling that a typhoon named ‘change’ would hit the fashion world, which had been too relaxed without any major events lately.

Lee.

The legend hinted at a comeback.

* * *

‘Sophia,’ a new editor at the famous fashion magazine Vogue, had been struggling with work without a single day off since joining the company.

“Crazy….”

Sophia muttered, shaking her head as she took a sip of coffee from her mug.

“There are tons of manuscripts to be reviewed by today, and if you add in the work with a deadline set for the end of the month….”

It was clear that this month she wouldn’t be able to set foot in her rented apartment, which costs $1,000 a month.

It was then.

A senior editor who had just opened the door to the editor-in-chief’s office glanced at her and clicked her tongue, muttering.

“I’m very sorry to say this to someone who’s dying, but the editor-in-chief called for you.”

At those words, Sophia’s expression became infinitely distorted.

“Yes?”

Geraldine Saglio, the editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, was a well-known workaholic.

In fact, Sophia had decided to join Paris Vogue and had been nurturing her dreams with respect for her.

After working closely with her for the past few months, Sophia concluded that her boss was a different kind of species.

‘Workaholic.’

She was a workaholic.

‘The fact that she called means…’

It meant she was going to give her a new job.

“I’ll go right away.”

She entered the editor-in-chief’s office with weak steps.

“Sophia.”

Editor-in-chief Geraldine Saglio, who seemed to have taken care not to neglect her appearance despite being in her middle age, continued.

“How’s work going?”

“Yes, just….”

“Well, it must be shitty.”

Sophia was unable to hide her embarrassment at her straightforward words.

“I like Sophia.”

“Thank you.”

“So I’m going to give you a chance.”

“What kind of opportunity…?”

Sophia was staring intently at Geraldine Saglio, desperately hoping that the opportunity would be a vacation.

“Shall we take out the scheduler first?”

As expected, it seemed like she was going to give her a new job.

Soon, Sophia took out her notebook from her back pocket.

“I’ll write it down-!”

Geraldine added, responding in a very disciplined voice.

“Next Friday at 9:30 PM is the interview.”

“And then?”

“Underline it three or four times and add this.”

Geraldine, who had finished speaking, paused for a moment for no reason….

“The day the legend returns.”

Sophia, who unknowingly asked back, “Yes?” stood blankly in her place with a bewildered face for a while.

“Could it be….”

She recalled an anecdote that further solidified the influence of Geraldine Saglio, the head of Paris Vogue, whose position in the French fashion world was already solid.

In the not-too-distant past.

A young designer from the East sent invitations to his brand’s show to the mailboxes of not only France but also various fashion celebrities.

Probably….

It was clear that countless people had moved it to the trash without even giving it a glance or reading the contents carefully.

Reading an email from a young Eastern designer while busy collaborating with star designers?

‘No way.’

However, Geraldine was an exception.

‘Well, I think people who didn’t see the potential in that email are fools?’

It was known that she immediately booked a flight to Korea and attended the young designer’s show, conducted an interview, and paved a path for him.

“That’s right.”

Geraldine Saglio, who roughly grasped her expectations, added in a low voice with a smile.

“It’s not a well-known fact yet, but….”

Silence flowed for a moment.

“Lee will be back.”

At those words, Sophia, a new editor at Paris Vogue, unknowingly exclaimed, “Huh!” and tightly covered her mouth with both hands.

* * *

Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris, France.

Click, click.

An Asian man in a neat, custom-tailored suit finished all the entry procedures and began to walk out with confident steps.

A legend in the fashion world who suddenly disappeared from the world.

A rising star designated by Karl Lagerfeld to lead the next generation….

The youngest major shareholder of the historic and prestigious Janel Group.

Lee.

Jaesung, who had not been active externally since his marriage, took off his sunglasses and looked up at the sky as soon as he left the airport.

“It’s the same.”

He has returned.