Black Label [EN]: Chapter 28

Black Label 27

28. Specialization

“Well, actually, there’s no grand reason for this either. I tend to think quite simply. If I may be so bold….”

After pausing for a moment, Jaeseung took a sip of water and smoothly continued.

“As you mentioned, the dictionary definition of ‘Wallflower’ is a climbing vine. And it’s also American slang for someone who can’t dance because they don’t have a partner.”

“Someone who can’t dance because they don’t have a partner?”

Lee Ji-hye tilted her head with interest, and Jaeseung nodded slightly in response.

“Yes. When I heard that meaning, I felt a strange sense of kinship.”

“Oh, in what way?”

“Could you imagine someone standing on the outskirts of a party because they don’t have a partner?”

“Hmm? I’m not sure.”

“I felt that my perspective, looking at countless celebrities, wasn’t much different from that of a wallflower.”

Jaeseung shrugged once and added.

“What emotions are contained in that gaze? Envy, jealousy, admiration, awe, etc….”

“Ah!”

“The reason celebrities can live as celebrities is because the public exists, right? I think it’s the same principle as light not being able to stand out without darkness.”

“I’m starting to understand a little now. That’s true.”

Scribble-!

Lee Ji-hye began diligently writing down what Jaeseung was saying.

It was no exaggeration to say that her eyes were filled with a deep, unusual light.

“My motto is simple: to create clothes that make all the countless ‘wallflowers’ around the world look like celebrities. No, my goal is to make clothes that can turn them into celebrities.”

“Hmm, to put it simply, you’re aiming for a popular brand?”

“Yes, but with quality and design that can’t be compared to the typical SPA [Specialty store retailer of Private label Apparel] brands in department stores or outlets. Well, it’s just a goal, so I hope you won’t dislike it.”

While Lee Ji-hye was writing down Jaeseung’s words, Jaeseung added again.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m only going to release cheap clothes. Prices should be adjusted according to cost. However, I’m planning to segment the labels.”

“Labels?”

“Yes. The street-style clothing currently being released is being sold with white labels attached. I’m planning to attach white labels to the casual clothing that will be released later as well. Although it’s not yet 확정 [hwakjeong – confirmed], I’m thinking of attaching ‘Blue Label’ to sports clothing, and ‘Special Label’ with a change in logo or font design to tailor clothing. In this way, I plan to segment the brand’s products according to category through labels.”

After nodding a few times, Lee Ji-hye smiled brightly and replied in a rather cheerful tone.

“That’s a great idea. I hope that premium clothing with a ‘Black Label’ will be released someday.”

“Thank you.”

Black Label.

Clothes with a magical charm that sell out no matter what, without separate advertising, without establishing a sales system, without sending out coupon books or distributing lookbooks.

The magical charm emanating from the luxurious black label. Top-quality clothes made of the finest materials, released in limited quantities of less than 10 pieces, or at most 50 pieces.

A heart-fluttering name that exudes both ‘rarity’ and ‘aloofness.’

‘Black Label, huh….’

Just as Jaeseung was lost in thought, Lee Ji-hye smiled and opened her mouth.

“Thank you for your hard work. It was a really interesting interview. I have a feeling this issue will definitely be reprinted.”

“You flatter me. Anyway, thank you for the positive evaluation. Thank you for your hard work.”

“You’re only 18 years old, that’s really young, isn’t it? You’re amazing. Both your skills and your philosophy about clothes….”

After pausing for a moment, Lee Ji-hye was about to continue, “My younger sibling is the same age as you, Jaeseung…,” when Jaeseung abruptly cut her off in a nonchalant tone.

“It’s an advantage that will disappear anyway.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m talking about the advantage of being young. It’s an advantage that will disappear soon anyway. I have to work harder.”

It was a word that felt somewhat out of place, rather than a word of humility consciously uttered by an 18-year-old boy.

As Lee Ji-hye began to stare blankly at Jaeseung, Jaeseung gave a self-deprecating smile and added.

“I’m going to work harder, so I’m going to survive somehow.”

“Oh….”

“Because the public will evaluate me based on the clothes I make, not my age.”

With that, Jaeseung’s first interview came to an end.

* * *

FTV Magazine Editorial Department Office. Team Leader Kwon Hyung-mok, who was busy working, looked at the clock on the wall and muttered quietly.

“Hmm? It should be over by now?”

Soon, Deputy Manager Min Seong-cheol, who was diligently typing on the keyboard not far away, tilted his head slightly and asked.

“Yes? What is?”

“I’m talking about the Wallflower interview.”

“Ah, time has already passed like this.”

Deputy Manager Min Seong-cheol muttered in a very sarcastic tone, “I’ll have to come to work on time in my next life.” Team Leader Kwon Hyung-mok picked up his cell phone and started calling Lee Ji-hye, who was assigned as the reporter in charge.

The signal hadn’t rung a few times when Lee Ji-hye answered the phone.

– Yes, Team Leader. What’s going on?

“Oh, Ji-hye. Is the interview over?”

– Ah, yes. I just finished and came down to the parking lot.

“How was it?”

A short question containing many meanings. Soon, a very clear answer came from across the receiver.

– Totally awesome. He’s the real deal, isn’t he?

“Really? Why? Tell me more.”

– That is….

While Team Leader Kwon Hyung-mok was listening to Reporter Lee Ji-hye’s story, Deputy Manager Min Seong-cheol, who was looking at the monitor, muttered “Uh-?” and started calling Team Leader Kwon Hyung-mok in a rather urgent tone.

“… T, Team Leader, Team Leader!”

“Why? Can’t you see I’m on the phone?”

“Ah… Yes, I’m sorry.”

“What’s wrong?”

“A new announcement has been posted on Wallflower.”

Team Leader Kwon Hyung-mok frowned and began to read the announcement on the Wallflower blog market, which was on Deputy Manager Min Seong-cheol’s monitor.

Soon, Team Leader Kwon Hyung-mok, who was staring at the monitor with his cell phone close to his ear, said, “Ji-hye, hang up for a second,” and began to check the contents of the announcement with full concentration.

[Announcement of delay in arrival of new street clothing.]

It was a simple message. It was an announcement that the arrival of street clothing would be postponed and premium women’s handbags would be stocked first.

Soon, Team Leader Kwon Hyung-mok, who had skimmed through the contents of the announcement several times, muttered in disbelief.

“Deputy Manager Min, wait a minute. So… the new product to be stocked this time will be replaced with ‘limited edition women’s handbags,’ right?”

“Yes, I think so?”

“Huh, why….”

Is it arrogance? Is it overconfidence? Street clothing and luxury handbags are clearly different fields.

It’s no coincidence that there are so many masters and artisans in the field of women’s handbags. That’s because it’s a field that requires that much skill.

‘Why….’

Did he taste a small success and become intoxicated with it? He’s young, so that could be the case.

But, he shouldn’t. Soon, Team Leader Kwon Hyung-mok made a rather serious expression.

It was because no matter how hard he tried to think positively, he couldn’t understand Jaeseung’s decision.

* * *

Meanwhile, at that time, Jaeseung was lying on his bed, busy writing a text message to President Song.

Soon, Jaeseung, who had been tapping on the keypad for a long time, pressed the ‘Send’ button after several reviews.

Ding-!

– This is Lee Jae-seung, who spoke to you before. I will visit Taeyangsa by 6 PM tomorrow.

After sending the text message, he sighed once.

There was a setback in the plan. It was thanks to hearing the news of the ‘reunion’ while having dinner with his mother after returning home from the interview.

His mother’s high school reunion was scheduled for sometime next week.

No sooner had he heard that story than his mother’s handbag, neatly placed next to the front door in the distance, caught his eye.

‘…I can’t let her go with a handbag like that. Absolutely.’

He was thinking of postponing the arrival of new street clothing for a while and making a ‘high-quality’ handbag for his mother first.

At first, he had postponed it because he didn’t have the funds to get the fabric, but that wasn’t the case now.

First, he was going to purchase the luxury brand fabric he bought from President Song and make the bag himself by hand.

Moreover, ‘women’s handbags’ were one of his specialties.

He was even more confident than ‘street clothing.’

He was also thinking of making a few more while he was at it and selling them.

Although it was uncertain whether they would sell easily, he would be able to use them as a portfolio later.

‘Okay, let’s do it.’

First of all, there are only 9 days left until the reunion. He has to complete one first edition bag within that time.

In fact, if he were to consider sales, it would be right to focus on producing new street clothing to be stocked in the Cubacuba store and his blog market right away.

If it had been his past self, he would have done so without even a moment’s hesitation.

But.

‘Money will come anyway if I make good clothes. Mother’s bag comes first.’

Soon, Jaeseung made up his mind and turned off the light in the room.

It was clear that he would have to move busily again from tomorrow.

He was going to sleep a little more today.