Black Label [EN]: Chapter 258

Black Label Episode 9

On the way home after meeting with Chairman Ardo,

Jaesung was lost in deep thought for the first time in a while.

‘LVMH Group….’

Starting with its flagship brand, Louis Vuitton, and including Loewe, Celine, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Kenzo, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Thomas Black, etc….

The LVMH Group was a massive fashion conglomerate of the highest caliber, with all sorts of premium brands under its umbrella.

It was a group that not only dominated fashion but also had its own leather brands, jewelry, watches, perfumes, cosmetics, liquor, and even distribution networks.

Currently, its market capitalization alone is close to 347 trillion won, and the group’s total capital exceeds a whopping 4,500 trillion won.

‘Could the management rights of such an LVMH Group fall into my hands?’

Most of the products Jaesung made in his past life in the Dongdaemun underground workshop were ‘imitations’ of products released by the LVMH Group.

Even Wallflower had once received an acquisition proposal from Chairman Ardo to be taken over by the LVMH Group, hadn’t it?

If more than 40% of the shares and management rights of such an LVMH Group really came into my possession, it would be the ultimate achievement for a designer.

“Looking back, he chose Caldo.”

Karl Lagerfeld, the renowned head designer who led Chanel, also chose him right before his death, didn’t he?

“Karl….”

Thanks to that, he became a major shareholder in the Chanel Group.

He has been recording huge profits every year without being involved in management.

What if the LVMH Group also came into his hands?

Then he was thinking of accelerating the management of the Chanel Group as well.

‘It would be possible to manage the two brands in a way that shares the advantages of each while maintaining their identities….’

Furthermore, his brand, Wallflower, would also benefit greatly.

For example….

By purchasing premium leather brands under LVMH or fabrics unique to the Chanel brand at cost.

“Because you are the best of the next generation of kids.”

Chairman Ardo’s words echoed softly in his ears.

The era of Karl and Chairman Ardo is coming to an end.

While paying tribute to them, he had to accelerate.

Lee.

Preparing to announce and lead his era in earnest.

* * *

Numerous design team employees gathered in the lobby of Wallflower’s brand house.

“The samples are out.”

The samples of this season’s products that were ordered have been completed.

Jaesung carefully examined the products worn by the mannequins.

“All pass.”

He gave passing marks to all products.

“We will include them in this season’s lineup.”

The outerwear, T-shirts, pants, and shoes line for this F/W [Fall/Winter] season were all completed.

The main theme is nature.

Natural motifs with geometric patterns and abstract feelings were reinterpreted from Wallflower’s perspective.

For example….

They focused on depicting the coolness of the upcoming autumn and winter through a menswear line reminiscent of ‘watercolors’ painted in heavy colors.

Products that captured the colors of the winter sea and conveyed a dynamic feeling and energy were also configured.

In addition, the women’s clothing line, which was inspired by the French Alps and Cape Cod beaches, expressed terrain and altitude through curves.

“For the Sea edition line products, it would be good to add a touch of water dripping from the models’ hair.”

All the designers busily began to record the instructions given by Jaesung….

“That’s an amazing idea….”

Some could only repeatedly express their sincere admiration for the instructions that Jaesung had come up with on the spur of the moment.

“Good….”

With this, all the clothes were completed.

“How much time is left until the deadline?”

At Jaesung’s question, a marketing department employee scanned the documents in his hand and said in a low voice.

“The lineup of clothing products was secured about two weeks earlier than expected, so how about focusing on stage production during the remaining period….”

At those words, Jaesung shook his head.

“No.”

Then he looked at everyone and said.

“Now, we should focus on launching Wallflower’s *Haute Couture* [high fashion, custom-fitted clothing] product lineup, watches, and limited-edition handbags.”

Soon everyone was shocked.

“This should be enough, why bother….”

Wallflower’s haute couture products were already enjoying explosive popularity among Hollywood stars, weren’t they?

In fact, most of the actresses at famous film festivals and awards ceremonies, including Cannes, appeared wearing Wallflower’s haute couture products.

It was a line that had secured a core customer base that was willing to pay tens of millions of won to show off their beauty for just a day or a few hours.

There was no reason to force changes or introduce new products during this season’s preparation period, which was already tight.

“The haute couture line, watches, and even the premium handbag line are all the same. We have already secured several classic design products that have proven their value….”

Jaesung replied to those words.

“I heard that there have been no changes in haute couture, watches, and premium handbag lines since I retired.”

“Yes….”

“In other words, you can interpret that as focusing on maintaining sales by introducing the same products for several years.”

After finishing speaking, Jaesung added.

“Now I’m back.”

“Yes….”

“That means it’s time to change.”

Chairman Ardo clearly promised to gauge the scale of success using sales as an indicator….

‘It wouldn’t be enough to show a slight growth compared to last year’s sales….’

He chose himself, not his own flesh and blood or other new designers, as his successor.

That’s why he wanted to show more clearly that he was a talented person with the qualities to lead LVMH.

If all the core line products introduced during this tight deadline are successful.

‘You will surely be able to leave this ruthless industry with peace of mind.’

Then one designer said.

“The deadline is tight….”

On the other hand, Jaesung was firm.

“I’ll take responsibility.”

Then, after looking around at all the brand house employees gathered in the lobby again, he asked again.

“I will design and produce all of the haute couture line products, watches, and premium handbags that I have specified.”

With those words, he calmly concluded the meeting.

“That’s all for today.”

* * *

Meanwhile.

“What are you talking about?”

President Song, who had returned to the Korean branch and was spending busy days dealing with overdue work, was startled and asked.

“Why is he trying to touch haute couture, watches, and handbags, which are generating steady income even if you leave them alone?”

Soon, President Song’s personal secretary shrugged his shoulders and replied in a low tone.

“I only received the message up to that point, so I don’t know the details….”

After muttering “Well…” once, President Song shook his head and said.

“I don’t even know what’s on our CEO’s mind, but who else would….”

He immediately sat down in front of his desk and turned on the power to the turned-off monitor, and a news article caught his eye.

[Lee Says, “Wallflower will be reborn as a completely new brand starting this year.”]

Interviews with content that had not even been discussed once were spreading widely in foreign media, and had already flowed into the country.

“I’m going crazy….”

The three product groups that Jaesung suddenly declared he would change were products that were no exaggeration to say were geese that laid golden eggs [reliable sources of income].

Since they were already generating astronomical sales, it would be better not to touch them until there were signs of a sales decline….

‘It wouldn’t be bad to start worrying about launching new products at that time, but why is he in such a hurry to take such impulsive actions….’

Was it because of pressure from the critics?

He guessed that was the case.

Although he didn’t show it….

‘He must have felt burdened.’

Wouldn’t it be impossible to overturn something that had already been widely reported in foreign media?

President Song immediately picked up the phone to ask Jaesung’s intentions and called the Wallflower brand house.

After several calls, he was finally able to hear Jaesung’s voice after many twists and turns.

“What are you thinking?”

On the other hand, Jaesung’s voice was calm.

– You called at the right time.

“What do you mean….”

– Would you like to check your email?

“What email?”

Soon, President Song grabbed the mouse in one hand and kept clicking the button.

– 5 new handbag lineup.

An email from Jaesung caught his eye.

“What, could it be…?”

Soon, Jaesung on the other end of the phone said in a low voice.

– Yes, I finished the handbag line early.

“Already?”

– I’m currently designing new haute couture products.

At those words, President Song sighed.

“Oh, I completely forgot who I was dealing with.”

He was a CEO who produced unconventional diagrams every year as if they were printed by a machine.

Soon, President Song opened the file contained in the email he received from Jaesung….

“Crazy.”

As expected, it contained designs that would bring in huge sales at a glance.

– How is it?

Soon, President Song replied.

“CEO, why do I see these handbag schematics as numbers [metaphor for seeing the potential profit]?”

It was high praise.

* * *

“I’m busy, so I’ll hang up now.”

After finishing speaking, Jaesung picked up the pencil he had put back on the desk.

– Wallflower.

It was a pencil that he had put in a safe so that he would never use it again after retirement.

As the situation was, he had no choice but to take it out of the safe again.

The pencil led Jaesung’s hand.

A dot became a line, and the line quickly took the shape of a product.

Like that….

New products from the core product group of the Wallflower brand were being born again and again.

At the speed of light.