Black Label [EN]: Chapter 284

Black Label Episode 35

Inside the conference room at LVMH headquarters, the head designers of the group’s various brands were assembled.

Click—.

The conference room door opened, and Jae-seung entered.

“Hello.”

All eyes turned to Jae-seung. One of the designers gestured towards the camera crew trailing him, a sarcastic edge to his voice.

“I heard you’re making a documentary. You’ve really become a showman, haven’t you?”

The implication was clear: Jae-seung had become someone driven by business, not a designer dedicated to ‘art.’

“You flatter me.”

Jae-seung dismissed the remark with a smile, unfazed.

“Since everyone’s busy, I’ll get straight to the point.”

Jae-seung continued, his tone direct.

“First, I understand that everyone here opposes the launch of LVMH Group’s unique fusion brand, 「Cardo」.”

A moment of silence filled the room.

“Opposition means termination of your contract with headquarters.”

Immediately, a murmur rippled through the room.

“Isn’t that a bit one-sided?” someone asked.

From the start, the ownership of the brands they led as designers ultimately belonged to LVMH Group.

However, these designers possessed a passion and dedication for their respective brands that went beyond mere employment.

“Whatever you may think, my position is firm. Cooperation from all brands within the group is essential for Cardo’s successful launch.”

One of the designers frowned and pressed further.

“So, this meeting is just to gather those who criticized your plans and inform us of our contract termination?”

It was a pointed question, and Jae-seung simply nodded.

“Precisely.”

The designers began to murmur amongst themselves.

“He’s completely lost it….”

“It must be about the money….”

“Capital has corrupted the artist….”

Every one of them had once admired the name Lee Jae-seung.

He was a designer who had achieved record-breaking success, and his reputation within the industry was immense.

Therefore, Jae-seung’s sudden about-face upon taking control of LVMH was bewildering.

It seemed like he was using money to silence former colleagues to achieve quick sales results, only to discard them afterward.

“The contract termination penalties will be paid fairly, as stipulated. We’ll settle everything before you leave today.”

It was a statement intended to emphasize the ‘legitimacy’ of the termination process.

However, to those being dismissed for opposing Cardo, it sounded like a thinly veiled threat: take the money and leave quietly.

“Are you trying to buy us off?” one designer asked, his voice laced with resentment.

“Suppress….” Jae-seung repeated, considering the word.

“I see it as handling things properly, following established procedures.”

The designers’ protests grew louder.

“You may think Cardo is a groundbreaking project, but we absolutely disagree!”

“Doesn’t the group’s success rely on the free competition between our brands?”

“Sharing textures or techniques is one thing, but launching a brand that shares all processes and production is incredibly reckless!”

“It could completely damage the unique identity of some brands!”

Jae-seung cut through the noise with a single, challenging question.

“Have you tried it?”

His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

“No one has ever done it.”

He turned to the designer who had raised concerns about Cardo harming their brand’s ‘identity.’

“Cardo won’t be just another premium brand; it’s aiming for the ‘high-end’ market.”

“That’s….”

“It will be a brand that’s unattainable with a few tens of thousands of dollars, and you might not even see it again after this season.” He emphasized the importance of branding and scarcity.

“And doesn’t the sharing of technology and processes also offer opportunities for improvement and development?” he asked, addressing the advantages of collaboration.

“Besides, I didn’t realize you all cared so much about the group’s sales.”

“Hey, Lee!”

“Right now, I’m the one most accountable for the group’s sales. If I don’t deliver results, I could lose my job.”

Jae-seung continued, his voice unwavering.

“Haven’t you all been making the clothes you wanted to make? If you’re opposing this because of sales, I can’t sympathize.”

Then he added, “And I didn’t call you here just to pay you a penalty and tell you to leave quietly.”

Jae-seung gestured to his secretary, who began distributing documents to the designers.

“The process of terminating your contracts will proceed according to protocol. Since mutual agreement couldn’t be reached and the cause is on our side, we’ll pay penalties to everyone. But….”

Jae-seung paused for effect.

“We’ll also provide additional investment to those of you who plan to launch your own brands in the future, separate from the penalty.”

Some designers reacted with surprise, muttering, “Huh.”

They suspected hidden clauses and unfavorable conditions.

“Both the penalty and the investment will come entirely from my own pocket, so you don’t have to worry. I’m not in a position to freely use group funds until I’ve created a significant profit model.”

In short, they would receive substantial penalties, ranging from billions to tens of billions of won [millions to tens of millions of US dollars] and designers launching their own brands would receive investment, all from Jae-seung’s personal funds.

Jae-seung continued.

“However, there’s one condition attached to the investment.”

Some designers chuckled, anticipating a catch.

“The condition is simple.”

Jae-seung added.

“When you achieve success after launching your brand and enter negotiations to sell to an existing group….”

They expected the condition to be selling to LVMH Group, a way to support their initial growth only to acquire them later.

“I knew it….” someone muttered.

That was the expectation.

“I simply ask that you contact LVMH first and have a conversation. If you receive a better offer, there’s nothing we can do, but if not, I hope you’ll consider working with us.”

Jae-seung’s words were unexpected.

He was willing to let them go if they found a better deal.

If not, LVMH would pursue the acquisition.

“Why such kindness….” one designer asked, genuinely puzzled.

“It’s simple.”

Jae-seung explained.

“I need to prove my ability to lead the group quickly, which is why I rushed the launch of Cardo. This led to a somewhat unfortunate discussion about contract terminations, but….”

Silence hung in the air.

“I’m a fellow worker in this industry.”

Jae-seung looked at each designer.

“I’m your colleague, a junior to some, a senior to others.”

His tone was sincere.

“Although we can’t work together on this project, I’ve been thinking about how I can support your future, but….”

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any better solution, so I decided to repay you, who have led the brands within the group, in this way.”

His sincerity moved some of the designers.

“Damn it, forget about it,” one said, changing his mind.

Some who had opposed Cardo now expressed their willingness to cooperate and quickly left the conference room.

Their hearts had been swayed.

Others, who had already made up their minds, didn’t reverse their decision, but all resentment had vanished.

“I wish Cardo success. I hope you achieve great results….”

“It will be a historic project.”

“It may be a project that will be talked about for a long time.”

The designers who had opposed Cardo signed the contract termination agreements, including the details and penalties.

“Well, then….”

Jae-seung looked at the camera.

“One important thing is over.”

He had already spent trillions of won [millions of US dollars] of his own money before the project even began.

And because it had to be paid through the group, he spent even more than he had calculated.

“Lee, you’re spending so much money before the project even starts. Are you sure you’re okay….” Tomi asked, concerned.

Jae-seung replied simply.

“Don’t worry about it.”

He checked the time.

“I’m still making good money. Someone, somewhere on Earth, must have bought a Wallflower product by now.”

Then he added, “Based on sales calculations, an average of 380,000 people are buying Wallflower products somewhere in the world every day.”

“Ah….” Tomi exclaimed, impressed.

“Surprisingly, that’s roughly the same as the number of people born today, based on the world’s population. An average of more than 380,000 people are born.”

Jae-seung shrugged and added, “Maybe they’re also our potential customers….”

After finishing speaking, Jae-seung began to organize the documents.

“Ah.”

Tomi, who had been넋을 놓고 있던 [넋을 놓고 있던 is a Korean expression meaning to be absentminded or in a daze], immediately gathered the staff and began giving instructions.

The first step for the launch of Cardo had been successfully taken, and they had captured a lot of useful footage, but….

“Since there may be more footage to capture, contact each of the designers who attended the meeting and offer them a personal interview.”

He intended to gather any remaining valuable content.

Although everyone gathered here might be evaluated differently compared to Lee Jae-seung….

They were still world-renowned designers, famous enough to lead brands under LVMH.

And so, the first step for the launch of Cardo was safely completed.