Black Label [EN]: Chapter 253

Black Label Episode 4

How long had it been?

Jaesung finally….

Entered the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

“It’s just as I remember….”

The Champs-Élysées in Paris, lined with flagship stores and ‘brand houses’ of all premium brands, was truly a territory of victors.

To set up shop on the Champs-Élysées, one had to pay enormous annual rent or endure astronomical expenses to buy the building outright.

In the fiercely competitive fashion world, it was a place where one couldn’t even dare to set foot unless they had consistently achieved victory.

Step, step-.

After walking for a while.

Clack.

Jaesung stopped in front of a building.

A whopping 12-story building.

It was Wallflower’s brand house.

「 Wall Flower 」

Jaesung, staring intently at the brand logo engraved on the sign, murmured to himself.

“I really have come back.”

The days when he was busy preparing to open the store felt like just yesterday.

Planning the store’s display, overseeing the interior, hiring staff to work at the brand house….

After many twists and turns, Wallflower’s brand house opened and received favorable reviews for its Black Label line.

That was the end of it.

Since then, he had been living a leisurely life with his family on a deserted island in the Mediterranean near Greece, doing things half-heartedly.

“Good.”

Jaesung slowly began to push open the tightly closed store door.

A staff member guarding the information desk rushed out.

“Sir, I’m sorry, but today….”

Jaesung asked back.

“Are you closed for business?”

The young staff member, finally recognizing Jaesung’s face, didn’t know what to say and just kept moving his lips.

“Welcome.”

The staff member mumbled with a bewildered expression.

“Lee….”

Jaesung noticed the staff lined up in the center of the brand house’s first floor, which was being used as a store, and quietly clicked his tongue.

“Good heavens….”

Of course, he had asked them to gather the staff to inform them that he would be formally participating in the upcoming Paris Fashion Week.

“It’s not like the military….”

Just then.

“Huh?”

President Song, who was talking to the local staff lined up, discovered him.

“You’re here?”

He quickly approached Jaesung.

“Yes, I just arrived.”

“It’s been reported.”

“I checked on the way.”

“It’s a mess, isn’t it?”

“What mess is already happening?”

President Song shrugged his shoulders and immediately replied.

“Calls have been coming in from everywhere, so I’ve unplugged all the phone lines in the brand house!”

“Is it that bad?”

“I guarantee that the related stock prices will fluctuate wildly when the market opens tomorrow morning.”

Then he cautiously asked.

“I can’t even imagine what it’s like to live with that kind of impact, tell me how it feels to live that kind of life every day.”

How it feels.

“Well, it’s just uncomfortable.”

“That’s it?”

“There are just too many eyes watching.”

As Jaesung walked along, chatting with President Song, he soon reached the front of the gathered staff.

“It’s been a while.”

As Jaesung spoke, dozens of staff members began to send him gazes filled with various emotions.

Surprise, respect, awe, and so on….

Among the dozens of staff lined up, only about a dozen could be considered ‘acquaintances’ of Jaesung.

Most of them had been hired after Jaesung had disappeared from the industry.

It was the first time since joining the company that they were meeting ‘Lee,’ the owner designer of the brand and a legend in the fashion world.

“As you all know.”

A low, soft voice continued.

“I have returned to the front lines after a long vacation. The comeback stage is the scheduled F/W [Fall/Winter] season of ‘Paris Fashion Week’.”

Soon, a series of loud and quiet murmurs echoed among the local staff lined up.

“Oh my god, does that mean we get to work with ‘Lee’ this season?”

“Maybe….”

“Damn it, someone punch me in the arm. If this is a dream, I’ll definitely wake up crying….”

Then Jaesung spoke again.

“Since time is short, I’ll explain the plan right away.”

It was customary for events called fashion weeks to be held twice a year.

The S/S season, which features spring and summer clothing.

The F/W season, which showcases fall and winter clothing.

The F/W of Paris Fashion Week, which Jaesung had in mind as his comeback stage, was usually held between February and March at the latest.

The clothes first unveiled at that time would go through the process of production and delivery, and would be in stores and sold through e-commerce in August and September.

In short….

Jaesung had only about two months to produce the clothing to be presented at this F/W stage of Paris Fashion Week.

Even if he started production right away, it was a very tight deadline, and if there were any disruptions to the schedule for various reasons in the middle….

‘I might not be able to exhibit.’

Of course, as long as he took command himself, the possibility of that happening was slim.

“First of all, I’m sorry, but I’m going to roll back everything you’ve prepared for the F/W season to square one.”

“Then….”

“I’ll take command again from the beginning. First, starting this week, we’ll review the past products….”

In order to prepare for the new season, it was necessary to review the sales trends of the products presented last year.

Based on that, which products were popular, and which products were ignored by the public.

Or which products using which raw materials were popular, and which raw materials were not selected, etc.

It was possible to check the data that could be used as the basis for the new season’s clothing.

“After that, through the CAD [Computer-Aided Design] creation process, we will select the theme and materials that will run through this season and proceed with the design competition.”

Even though it had been a full five years since he had led the season preparation, it felt as if the entire preparation process was vividly drawn in his head.

“To meet the deadline safely, we need to draw samples in at least half a month. We’ll have to start the main work within a month.”

At that time, a senior designer asked in a low voice.

“I’m sorry, but I’m a little worried that you’re setting the deadline too tight….”

Jaesung replied to that.

“It’s okay.”

Then he added.

“If we all work hard together, we won’t miss the deadline, will we?”

“Still….”

“If you each do the work of two people, I’ll try to do the work of four people.”

The staff still seemed unable to shake off their doubts.

“It’s started.”

President Song already seemed to have a clear picture of the future.

Jaesung, with the deadline just around the corner, would not only handle the work of four people….

He often handled a much larger amount of work.

Jaesung, who quietly said, “That’s all,” suddenly clicked his tongue.

“Ah.”

Then he added in succession.

“Starting tomorrow, all employees will be able to take turns taking one day off each for two days, so it would be good to revise the schedule and go home.”

At those words, one of the designers hurriedly protested.

“We may not have enough time even if we start preparing for the season tomorrow. In the meantime, if the schedule is delayed by as much as two days….”

Jaesung’s answer was the same.

“It’s okay.”

Jaesung then took out his smartphone, looked at the calendar, and added in a low voice.

“In order to accelerate the preparation for the season, don’t you think it’s necessary to take a good rest for at least one day?”

“But….”

“You can spend time with your family, or meet your lover or friends. Drinking, taking a walk, watching a movie, anything is fine.”

Jaesung smiled.

“However, when you come back to work after the holiday, you’ll have to be prepared.”

He drove in the wedge.

“This vacation is similar to the last supper given to a death row inmate. After the vacation, you will be working on a hellish schedule.”

With those eerie words….

“That’s all.”

The meeting, which wasn’t really a meeting, came to an end.

* * *

During the two days when the employees took turns taking a day off, Jaesung finalized several preparations for his family, who would soon be arriving in France.

First, he took care of the administrative part.

Originally, Ashlyn was a French national and he had obtained permanent residency, so it was much simpler than when he first came to France.

Then he solved the housing problem.

He was currently renting a hotel penthouse, but he couldn’t keep moving from hotel to hotel even after Ashlyn and Yul arrived.

Jaesung’s residence was a duplex penthouse located on the top floor of a luxury apartment building in the center of the city.

It was built in 1900, but it had been repeatedly expanded and reinforced, and it still stood firmly in the center of the city.

“It’s a penthouse remodeled by the famous architect Vincent. Living in a house touched by a famous architect is definitely something to be proud of.”

That’s what the real estate agent, who looked to be in his mid-forties, said.

She changed her words on the day she was writing the lease.

“Um, sir. I’m really sorry for not recognizing you last time. I don’t know much about fashion, so I didn’t recognize you.”

“It’s okay.”

“Did I say that living in a house touched by a famous architect is something to be proud of? I think it’s probably the opposite.”

What did she say….

“It will be a proud thing for ‘Vincent,’ the architect who led the remodeling of the penthouse.”

“Yes?”

“Maybe it will remain his best career. Because he remodeled the house where Lee lives.”

Jaesung smiled as he recalled the memory.

“Is it over now?”

He had unpacked all his luggage.

Any missing furniture or items….

He could just order new ones.

“Good.”

Jaesung then looked at the calendar.

Tomorrow.

The F/W season preparation begins.

And….

A red circle was drawn on this Saturday.

It was the day his beloved Ashlyn and daughter Yul would arrive.

Jaesung smiled and headed to the still-empty studio.

The only furniture available right now was a wide desk and a chair.

Before the employees enjoy their last holiday and return….

“Shall we start slowly?”

First, he was going to draw a diagram.

“Let’s see….”

The approximate ‘concept’ or ‘direction’ of the season will be decided after the meeting tomorrow morning.

But to loosen his hands, he opened his notebook, picked up a pencil, and drew diagrams that came to mind according to the flow of consciousness.

Scribble, scribble-.

A pleasant noise rang out each time the pencil touched the paper.

Jaesung quickly became absorbed and quickly drew several diagrams.

Just because he had stepped down from the front lines didn’t mean he had neglected the trends in the industry.

He looked at the lookbooks of various brands and constantly looked at trends.

Especially….

During the leisurely time he spent in Paris before the comeback announcement, he accumulated inspiration by simply watching the pedestrians walking freely on the streets.

Now.

That inspiration began to be expressed.

A dot becomes a line.

When lines gather, they take shape.

Scribble, scribble-.

How long had it been?

“Hoo-.”

Jaesung put down his pen after completing about six or seven diagrams.

“Not bad?”

He didn’t know if it could be put on the sample lineup.

But it seemed enough to get a ‘sense of relief’ that he hadn’t rusted yet.

What should I say?

I can’t express it exactly, but even if I estimate it roughly.

Should I say that I’m sure it’s a diagram that will sell?

“This season….”

Somehow, he had a good feeling.