Black Label [EN]: Chapter 267

Black Label Extra Story 18

Devil Bag

Thanks to Lee’s Paris Vogue interview, broadcast live worldwide, this product captured public attention the moment its name was revealed.

Jonathan J.

So, the critic who had been garnering attention by consistently delivering harsh reviews and criticisms of ‘Lee’ thought:

“What a terrible marketing strategy.”

Just how exquisite must the product’s appearance be, how enchanting, aesthetic, and beautiful….

To dare to name it Devil Bag, implying it feels as if the devil is whispering desires in one’s ear?

“Yes, it’s just marketing.”

Jonathan J. concluded.

Though he didn’t want to admit it….

He was, above all, a talented designer.

“Because he’s a capable businessman.”

Lee knew exactly how to focus ‘public attention’ on himself.

From the start, he had succeeded in creating a phenomenon of collective worship around his persona.

Unlike designers who are sensitive but often struggle due to their naiveté, he quickly amassed a fortune.

He even gave a bonus of about fifty thousand dollars to the employee who came up with the name Devil Bag, didn’t he?

“Smart….”

He was incredibly skilled at publicizing trivial matters and creating buzz….

He was endlessly adept at inflating the value of his products several times over, even dozens of times.

So, he concluded that the reality wouldn’t be much.

Only the name would be grand.

And now.

He….

Faced reality.

“This can’t be….”

In the spacious factory, where deep, dark shadows loomed, the ‘Devil Bag’ was the only object brightly and splendidly lit under the long fluorescent lights.

At a glance, one could recognize that it was made with the finest leather, and….

Even just looking at the precise finishing and stitching, one could sense it was handmade.

What about the decorations?

Not only was a gold patch attached that fully absorbed the light, but the edges of the patch were also encrusted with VVS-grade diamonds [Very, Very Slightly Included – a clarity grade for diamonds].

Beautiful.

The critic, who unknowingly swallowed hard, unconsciously reached out towards the bag placed far away on the conveyor belt.

He couldn’t reach it.

It was too far.

Physically….

‘And realistically….’

It had an appearance that suggested it might be the most luxurious item in the world.

He realized it was a bag he could never afford with the meager income he earned by criticizing and belittling others.

How much is that bag, anyway?

To get that in my hands….

How much money would I need?

True to its name.

It felt as if the devil was whispering desires into his ear.

“Complete defeat….”

The critic, admitting defeat, wore a bitter smile.

As if….

He was overwhelmed by the feeling that the whole world was fading into the background.

“Waaaaaaaah-!”

“Waaaaaaaah-!”

“Waaaaaaaah-!”

It felt as if he were left alone in a vast, empty world.

The cheers of the crowd, as if seized by collective madness, also faded away.

He had the illusion that only the bag and himself were left in the darkness.

“Damn it.”

He mumbled blankly.

“He was preparing something huge….”

It wasn’t unfounded confidence.

“How pathetic must I have looked….”

With such an enormous show and such an incredible bag prepared….

He must have proceeded without even noticing my harsh reviews or criticisms.

It seemed that it wasn’t just the ‘critics’ who had been hostile to Lee who were captivated by the Devil Bag.

“Crazy, crazy, crazy….”

The wife of a famous investment firm grabbed the sleeve of her husband, who held considerable influence on Wall Street.

“Honey, I really want it….”

Soon, her husband also nodded, his eyes gleaming with desire.

“It would suit you well….”

Then he added.

“My wife should carry a bag like that to save face….”

“You’ll buy it for me, right?”

“I’ll buy it for you no matter the price, so don’t worry and wait….”

It wasn’t just them, the couple, who were captivated as they stared intently at the Devil Bag in the distance.

Those invited to Wallflower’s exclusive show were valued customers who spent astronomical sums every year.

From tycoons leading global corporations to actors, models, or Billboard-level singers receiving enormous paychecks.

“No matter the price, somehow….”

Everyone was seized with the desire to buy the Devil Bag, regardless of the cost.

It was then.

Suddenly, the host’s explanation began to flow from the speakers installed throughout the venue.

– Before starting the auction, we will first take some time to briefly explain the details of the Devil Bag.

So, everyone fixed their gaze on the Devil Bag placed on the conveyor belt and listened attentively to the host’s explanation.

– It is made with the finest Epsom leather [a type of calfskin leather known for its durability and textured grain] as the texture, the patch is made of pure gold, and all the decorations are finished with the highest grade diamonds….

– The Devil Bags produced later will have manuals that allow buyers to customize all the texture and decoration materials as they wish….

– Originally, it is meticulously handcrafted by the Meister [German for ‘master,’ referring to a master craftsman] within the Wallflower Atelier, and the producer is also responsible for after-sales service….

Numerous explanations continued, but everyone remained focused and listened carefully to the characteristics of the Devil Bag.

– Considering that this product is the first of its kind….

For a moment, a terrible silence hung over the spacious factory….

– We would like to inform you that Lee, the owner and designer of Wallflower, personally completed it by hand.

At that moment.

“Waaaaaaaah-!”

“Waaaaaaaah-!”

“Waaaaaaaah-!”

A roar of cheers and shouts erupted as if the venue would be swept away.

– The starting bid for this product is ten thousand dollars.

The starting price is a whopping ten thousand dollars, matching the selling price of other brand products.

It was a high amount for a starting bid.

– Now, let’s begin the auction for the Devil Bag, which has the glorious distinction of being the first.

It was that moment.

– Double!

– Double!

– Again, double!

As soon as the auction started, the desired bid amount soared sky-high.

In just a few seconds, it rose from ten thousand dollars to a whopping eighty thousand dollars.

– Ninety thousand dollars!

– One hundred thousand!

– One hundred and ten thousand!

Everyone seemed to have already finished their calculations.

It was an extremely simple calculation.

No matter how much you bid for that bag, you can profit.

Premium.

Because it is the first premium and ‘Lee’ made it himself….

The resale price will boast an unimaginable amount!

– One hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

– One hundred and seventy thousand dollars.

– Two hundred thousand dollars.

Of course, it was highly likely that the person who won the bag would never sell it and keep it.

Considering the value of the history and tradition that the brand ‘Wallflower’ will build in the future….

Like fine wine, the price would surely soar endlessly in proportion to the years that passed.

– Ah, double!

The host exclaimed.

– Instantly breaking four hundred thousand dollars!

Only thirty seconds after the auction started.

In just thirty seconds….

The price exceeded 400 million won [approximately $300,000 USD].

– Four hundred and fifty thousand!

– Five hundred thousand!

– Five hundred and fifty thousand!

– Six hundred thousand!

The amount soared endlessly….

– Double!

– One million five hundred thousand!

– Again, double!

Those participating in the auction were truly possessed, calling out large sums of money and raising the price.

As those with insufficient funds gave up, only those with substantial financial backing continued to bid….

– Three million three hundred thousand dollars!

The host further fueled the excitement.

– Are you aware that the price of this product has surpassed the price of the world’s most expensive handbag listed in the Guinness Book of World Records?

– The most expensive handbag among existing handbags is the 1001 Nights Diamond Purse made by ten artisans from Mouawad over 8,800 hours, which was sold for 3.8 million dollars….

After briefly stopping the auction and continuing the explanation, he shouted loudly, with veins popping out of his neck.

– The person who wins this handbag will become the owner of the most expensive handbag in the world!

As if pouring oil over a blazing fire.

– Three million three hundred and fifty thousand!

– Three million four hundred thousand!

– Three million four hundred and fifty thousand!

The price soared again.

Everything was as planned.

Jaeseung understood the psychology of the wealthy.

The world’s wealth is concentrated in one place.

Those who have accumulated a great deal of wealth often act as if they are eager to indulge in even more extravagant luxury.

Luxury furniture companies in Switzerland have transformed into companies that sell yacht interiors, targeting the psychology of these wealthy individuals.

Investment offices on Wall Street, the center of the world economy, display ancient art worth hundreds of millions or billions of won….

They enjoyed spending astronomical amounts on things whose value was fleeting, such as expensive meals or expensive alcohol.

Ironically, the works of artists who criticize the consumption of these wealthy people, like Banksy, are often traded at even higher prices.

The Devil Bag was the same.

It was a devil’s handbag that stimulated human greed and curiosity, which could not be satisfied, even by the sea….

For various reasons, they struggled to make this astronomical purchase and called out increasingly higher amounts.

It seemed that whether this bag was really worth that much to them was not a consideration at all.

Greed.

They were simply consumed by the desire to make this bag their own at all costs.

The Devil Bag.

It was being proven that it was a product that could be described as a devil’s handbag that incites desire without any shortage.

– Three million five hundred thousand!

– Three million six hundred thousand!

– Three million eight hundred thousand!

Soon.

– Four million!

The desired bid amount soared to an amount equivalent to about 4.6 billion won [approximately $3.5 million USD] when converted to Korean currency.

It was a historic moment.

There has never been a case where this amount of money has been exchanged at a brand show, not an auction conducted by a professional auction company such as Sotheby’s.

Again, Lee….

It would be no exaggeration to say that he was writing a new chapter in history that would be remembered for a long time.

Swish-.

At that moment, an old man raised his hand.

– Ah….

The hand gesture with the index and middle fingers extended.

That is, the meaning….

A hand signal meaning double the current bid.

– Eight million….

A white-haired old man with eyes reminiscent of a tiger looked at the bewildered host and smiled.

“Come on, you nouveau riches [newly rich]….”

It was Chairman Ardo.

“I’ll call double several more times.”

It was clear sincerity.