Black Label [EN]: Chapter 263

Black Label Extra Story 14

“Hoo-.”

Jaesung meticulously continued to sew the handbag by hand.

The pattern was so intricate that it exceeded what a sewing machine could handle alone.

In an age where humans were walking on the moon, here he was, hand-sewing….

Shuak, shuak-.

As he sewed, memories from a long time ago began to resurface.

The days of making imitations in a cramped basement in Dongdaemun [a fashion district in Seoul], where asbestos dust swirled around….

The days when he was trapped in regret and despair, realizing he was gradually losing his eyesight.

It felt surreal.

Since Jaesung started working at the brand house atelier, several days had passed….

“Is it really finished?”

He had dedicated his time, even sacrificing sleep, and the result was now before his eyes.

“Yes, it’s truly finished….”

It was a product made entirely by hand, using the highest quality ‘Epsom’ leather as the primary material.

Among handbags, which generally have a high price range, this was a truly high-end item.

Moreover, it was the first model, handcrafted by the owner designer himself….

‘If this becomes known, it will probably be traded for an astronomical sum.’

Perhaps it was the late hour?

“Are you still here?”

An old Meister [master craftsman], who had been dozing on the sofa, noticed Jaesung hadn’t left and inquired.

“Yes, I just finished the work.”

“Then….”

“Yes, I completed the Epsom bag.”

Jaesung added, “I think this product should be included in the Black Label product line.”

The old Meister, who had muttered “Just a moment…” once, approached with hurried steps and examined the handbag Jaesung had made.

“Good heavens….”

While carefully examining the handbag’s completeness, he repeatedly exclaimed in admiration.

People say that luxury goods must possess three essential elements.

The first is *heritage* (reputation, tradition, and completeness), the second is loyal customers, and the third is a high price.

The handbag made by owner designer Lee was overflowing with heritage….

The fact that he made it himself would be enough to attract loyal customers.

In addition, it would be priced exorbitantly high, so it had all three elements.

And that’s not all.

Even if the fact that Lee, the owner designer, made it by hand wasn’t widely known, it was still worth a high price.

“Perfect….”

Premium brands never use lengthy, detailed advertising copy.

They simply….

Compete based on the brand logo and the unique image they have cultivated over time.

“Looking at the logo, I feel breathless….”

The old Meister continued, “I’ve realized several times that Wallflower’s logo has become invaluable….”

Looking at the brand logo, densely and elegantly embroidered on the surface of the perfectly sewn handbag, he felt a sense of awe.

“It feels like it’s inciting desire….”

The majority of the product was made of the highest quality Epsom leather, and the buckle area was adorned with ‘VVS grade diamonds’ [Very, Very Slightly Included, a high clarity grade for diamonds].

Even the handbag lock and key, intended as a free gift, were made of pure gold and decorated with diamonds.

Even the old Meister, who had never held a handbag in his life, was captivated by the aesthetically pleasing appearance, so how would women with purchasing power react?

It was the same from the perspective of a master craftsman.

According to the schematics he had examined in advance, the product was a complex one that required more than 30,000 stitches.

The saddle stitch, puzzle matching, edge polishing, bead attachment, and numerous dyeing and glossing processes were all flawless.

“What can I say….”

He swallowed hard.

“It’s like….”

Silence hung for a moment.

“It’s like the devil is beckoning.”

He laughed weakly.

“Yes, this is the devil’s handbag.”

Then Jaesung briefly muttered, “Huh…?”

“That’s good, isn’t it?”

He added with a smile, “Devil Bag would be a good name.”

“Pardon?”

“Let’s name it Devil Bag.”

Then he said again, “Since you named it, would you like to take a close look at the bonus column on this month’s pay stub?”

He liked the name, so he was going to pay a bonus.

“Five million won will be deposited.”

Fifty million won [approximately $3,700 USD] in Korean currency.

“Five million dollars…?”

He was even considering using the anecdote of paying a five million dollar bonus to the employee who came up with the name as part of the marketing.

“Yes, five million dollars.”

Thanks to this anecdote, the Devil Bag would enjoy more than five hundred thousand dollars in marketing effect.

Jaesung….

It was no exaggeration to say that he had completely grasped how to stimulate the public’s vanity.

* * *

Another interview was scheduled.

“This is Vogue, the world’s leading fashion magazine, broadcasting live the interview with Wallflower’s owner designer, Lee.”

Géraldine, the ‘editor-in-chief’ of Paris Vogue and Jaesung’s close friend, said naturally, looking at the camera.

“Lee, long time no see?”

Today’s interview was to be broadcast live around the world through an online platform developed by Vogue magazine itself….

Afterward, it would be published again in the next monthly issue of Paris Vogue, in the form of a report.

In short, it was a live broadcast.

Jaesung nodded once and asked again in a nonchalant tone, “Didn’t we see each other the day before yesterday?”

“Ah….”

“We had lunch together.”

At those words, Géraldine couldn’t hide her embarrassment and kept blinking her eyes for a moment.

“The interview appointment was made then, too.”

“That’s true, but….”

“Anyway, let’s just say it’s been a while.”

Soon, real-time chats poured onto the screen of the iPad on the table in front of them.

[ Lee, look at the mischief. ]

[ Géraldine, don’t cry! ]

[ Start the interview already! ]

[ Is the preparation going well? ]

[ Start the interview quickly! ]

Géraldine, who had been watching the reactions in the chat window, quickly regained her composure and said, “Lee, many people seem to be curious about whether Wallflower’s Paris Fashion Week is progressing smoothly.”

Jaesung replied, “It’s going smoothly.”

It was a confident voice.

“We’re going to showcase completely new things this season. We’re preparing for that, and everything is going very smoothly.”

“For example….”

“New products will be released in all product lines except watches. Of course, not only ready-to-wear but also haute couture [high fashion] and handbag lines.”

Géraldine replied, “It certainly feels ambitious.”

Jaesung snapped his fingers.

“As you all know, Wallflower’s watches, handbags, and haute couture are still laying golden eggs.”

“I guess….”

“It means that even if we just keep producing the products that have solidified our position, we can easily record astronomical revenues every year.”

He added confidently, “The sales that other brands have generated over several years have been steadily recorded in just one product line.”

“But why….”

“I’m different from other fledgling designers who are afraid of the unskillful stone throwing of critics.”

Jaesung added indifferently, “Maintaining the status quo?”

Then he stared at the camera.

“To me, the word ‘maintaining the status quo’ means nothing more than defeat.”

“That’s amazing.”

“Starting this season, Wallflower will record explosive growth.”

Jaesung said again, “Well, to explain a little, a product called Devil Bag will be introduced in this handbag line.”

“Devil Bag?”

“I think it’s a product that can be called a high-end product among handbag products.”

Silence hung for a moment.

“It’s a product that requires more than 30,000 stitches and a lot of labor, and it will be handcrafted by Meisters.”

“Wow….”

“Moreover, since it will be produced in a 1:1 method [one craftsman, one bag], I think it will be difficult for one Meister to produce more than two or three a month.”

Then he added, “The goal is to make the value of Meisters more than $500,000 after the release of the Devil Bag.”

“The value of one person?”

“Yes, if they release two or three handbags every month, they will be valued that much.”

Géraldine, who was trying to guess the price of the Devil Bag based on this statement, shook her head.

It was because she was sure that reporters and the public would do this calculation after the interview was released.

“I finished all the sewing for the first Devil Bag myself. I just put the finishing touches on it yesterday.”

“Wow, that’s really amazing? Considering the premium, it’s questionable whether it’s possible to put a monetary value on it….”

“The product will be auctioned off, and the reason why it was named Devil Bag is simple.”

Géraldine listened carefully.

“The Meister who saw it was inspired by the mutterings that it was like the devil was inciting his desires.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“You can look forward to it. I thought it was an appropriate name, so I paid a $50,000 bonus.”

Jaesung added indifferently, looking at the camera.

“The fashion week stage is also in the final stages of successful production.”

“Can you briefly explain the concept of this stage?”

“We are trying to deal with nature and primal emotions.”

Jaesung added firmly, “I think giving more hints than this would reduce the fun of the show, so I’ll stop here.”

“That’s a little disappointing.”

“However, there are several new business models that I can’t tell you about yet.”

“Can you give me a hint?”

“After successfully completing this fashion week, we will make many changes in the center of the industry.”

If he achieved remarkable results at this fashion week, he would be able to take over the management rights of the LVMH Group [a French multinational corporation and conglomerate specializing in luxury goods].

If that happens….

He would be able to exert influence not only on the management rights of Wallflower and all brands within the LVMH Group but also on Chanel.

‘If that happens….’

He would be able to bring only the advantages of all the brands included in it to Wallflower and make it the best brand.

“Watch.”

Soon, the heat in the chat window intensified.

[ Look! ]

[ Look! ]

[ Look! ]

[ Look! ]

It seemed like they were typing along with the lyrics of the song that the UK had recently released and put on the Billboard Hip-Hop chart at number one.

“Rolls Royce, Lee, Win.”

When Jaesung read the lyrics behind the scenes, the chat window was covered with the lyrics of the song.

[ Look! Rolls Royce! Lee! Win! ]

[ Look! Rolls Royce! Lee! Win! ]

[ Look! Rolls Royce! Lee! Win! ]

[ Look! Rolls Royce! Lee! Win! ]

[ Look! Rolls Royce! Lee! Win! ]

Jaesung’s ambitious interview was broadcast all over the world….

And just a few days later, the long-awaited Paris Fashion Week began.