Black Label [EN]: Chapter 285

Black Label Episode 36

Having neatly resolved the issues with the existing contracted designers, Jaesung headed straight to the brand house located in downtown Paris.

“Now, all that’s left is to showcase ‘Cardo’.”

In response to reporter Tommy’s question, Jaesung, who had just returned to his office, nodded slightly and continued in a soft voice.

“Yes, that’s right.”

With this, the preparations for the brand launch were all but complete.

“Then, could you briefly explain your plans for the future?”

Jaesung readily replied.

“Yes, well…”

The remaining tasks were simple.

“To showcase ‘Cardo’ in time for the next season, I’ll be increasing my schedule and reducing my sleep, working hard. There aren’t really any other significant plans.”

Now, all that remained was to gather with the premium brand designers within the group who would be participating in this Cardo project, put their heads together to plan the season, and then…

Work.

It was all about dedicating himself to ‘work’ so that he could launch Cardo, a brand created by blending only the strengths of all the brands within the LVMH Group, on schedule.

“Probably…”

Jaesung shrugged.

“I suspect the camera will only capture a lot of boring scenes for the time being.”

“Pardon?”

“For the next few days, we might get a few scenes thanks to the branding meetings…”

A moment of silence passed.

“But after that, all I’ll be showing is myself holed up in my office drawing, nothing else…”

Jaesung reiterated.

“People clearly have a strong curiosity about the lives of those who have achieved social success…”

He trailed off vaguely.

“But over ninety percent of the socially successful people I know lead uninteresting lives.”

Indeed, wasn’t it known that even Warren Buffett, a globally recognized billionaire, goes to work at a fixed time, eats the same breakfast, and works until a fixed time, day in and day out?

Work, work, work, work….

The lives of those whom countless people imagine to be quite glamorous are, in reality, mostly filled with work.

“I’m the same.”

Jaesung added, sitting down at his office desk.

“Would you like to see just how uninteresting my life is?”

* * *

It was as Jaesung said.

“This is really something…”

Tommy shook his head, watching Jaesung work tirelessly at his desk for over twelve hours straight.

He didn’t seem to have any intention of getting up from his seat unless it was to drink water or go to the restroom, and he didn’t even allow his gaze to wander.

“Is that how you have to live to be successful?”

At the question from one of the staff members, Tommy nodded and muttered quietly.

“I guess so. With that level of concentration, he would have become a legendary figure in any industry, not just design…”

Even as the two were chatting, Jaesung didn’t spare them a single glance and continued to work diligently, handling various tasks.

He had to carefully review the Wallflower-related tasks that had piled up over the past few days, as well as internal documents related to LVMH [Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, a French luxury fashion house].

After that, he began to carefully examine the strengths and weaknesses of the brands within the group, as well as their unique processes, and started to conceptualize ideas.

Meanwhile.

Tommy and the Power Film staff, who had set up in a corner of the office, couldn’t overcome their drowsiness and began to doze off.

“Hmm?”

Belatedly noticing the staff’s condition, Jaesung shook his head once and began to neatly organize his work.

Tap, tap.

Then, he carefully asked.

“Shall we call it a day?”

Jaesung stood up from his seat, and…

“Ah, yes…”

Tommy, just waking up from his nap, hurriedly checked the time while still feeling groggy.

“What, already…”

It was past three in the morning.

It was dark outside the office.

Everyone had already gone home.

“Do you usually work this late?”

At Tommy’s question, Jaesung shrugged.

“Yes, usually.”

During the season preparation phase, he had no choice but to work this late to come up with and prepare for the new season, and…

After successfully completing the season, he had been working like this due to distribution, marketing, or external schedules.

As Jaesung briefly explained this while putting on his coat,

“I see…”

Tommy shook his head and said.

“I think I understand why you took a break, even going so far as to take a sabbatical for several years…”

Tommy could finally fully understand why Jaesung had suddenly declared his retirement and disappeared to a deserted island.

‘An ordinary person…’

Wouldn’t be able to handle such a high-intensity workload every day.

* * *

That kind of similar routine was repeated for several days.

“It’s getting boring…”

Thanks to this, Tommy and the documentary production company Power Film staff were able to fully grasp Jaesung’s daily routine.

His daily routine started at 5 AM.

No matter what time he left work the previous day or when he went to bed, Jaesung’s daily routine didn’t change.

At the appointed time, he would invariably wake up, meditate, take a cold shower, and eat breakfast.

His breakfast was a salad.

The toppings changed every day, but the focus on dietary fiber and roughage remained the same.

Then….

He would invariably take out a cup of coffee and buy a newspaper on his way to the brand house.

The time he arrived at work was also the same every day, which was 6:30 AM….

For 30 minutes, he would quickly read the newspaper he had purchased and even solve the quizzes in the back.

After completing his morning routine….

He spent the day sitting at his desk until late at night.

He spent days flipping through documents whose contents were impossible to guess….

Writing something down, then drawing, over and over again.

“Wow, he’s trading his lifespan for designs…”

At the words of one of the staff members, everyone nodded in agreement.

“I know…”

He sat in front of his chair all day, and the only times he got up were to go to the bathroom, eat, or replenish his fluids.

A full week passed like that, and…

Just as the staff members were watching the scenery being captured by the camera installed in the office on the connected monitor, as usual.

“I’m roughly done with the concept.”

Jaesung opened his mouth for the first time in a while, and…

“Pardon? What concept?”

Tommy asked back in a daze.

“What kind of concept…”

Jaesung replied.

“Well, wouldn’t it be the concept for ‘Cardo’, of course?”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve organized the branding direction and a few strengths of each brand to be integrated…”

Jaesung added again.

“I don’t know if it will be released, but I’ve briefly drawn a few diagrams of product lines that incorporate the identities of various brands.”

Jaesung lightly tapped the documents placed on the side table with his fingertips.

“Now, all that’s left is to start.”

At those words, Tommy and the staff were taken aback.

“Is this something that can usually be done in such a short period of time?”

After answering “Yes” once, Jaesung added briefly.

“For me.”

This was also thanks to the effect of the Wallflower pencil.

Although there wasn’t much left now….

And there were many eyes watching, so he didn’t use the pencil.

However….

Having repeatedly used the pencil, his hands had actually become faster.

According to the flow of consciousness.

He was able to sketch quickly within an efficient range.

‘It’s just a prototype anyway…’

Jaesung looked around at everyone and then continued.

“Well, then, I think it would be good to start preparing for the brand launch in earnest now.”

* * *

The very next day.

Dozens of emerging designers leading brands under the LVMH Group gathered in one place.

Since their stages of activity were not the same, the fact that they had gathered in one place was a historic event.

The emerging designers of the brands under the group were scattered among the four major fashion weeks: London, Paris, and the United States.

“It’s been a long time.”

“How have you been?”

Those who gathered at the hotel banquet hall in the 13th arrondissement [administrative district] of Paris greeted those they knew….

“I didn’t know you were participating in the Cardo project.”

Everyone began to exchange views on the concerns and expectations for the brand Cardo, which would be launched in the future.

“Actually, I expressed my intention to participate because I thought it would be a historic project…”

Someone started the conversation, and…

“Realistically, I’m worried that the deadline is too tight.”

“Deadline?”

“Yes, even though Lee is leading the project…”

Lee was clearly an individual who boasted outstanding design skills and quick work processing that no one could deny, but…

“Isn’t Wallflower, which he is currently leading, also about to enter the new season preparation?”

“Yes, well…”

“So, that means he intends to prepare for Wallflower’s new season and launch Cardo at the same time…”

He looked around and then spoke in a low voice.

“I wonder if it’s physically possible…”

At those words, Alexander King replied.

“That’s because you haven’t seen Lee work.”

The public opinion was reversed by the support fire from the person who was famous for being close to Lee and had actually collaborated with him.

“Just looking at Wallflower’s last season, isn’t that the case? He returned to the industry after several years and did a great job.”

Alexander King continued to speak.

“Actually, when he was attending Parsons School [a prestigious art and design college in New York City], I watched him design and sew a bag in an instant.”

Then he added.

“It didn’t even take a few days.”

Soon, Marc Jacobs, the owner designer of Marc Jacobs, which was recently added to the ranks of LVMH brands, also lent his support.

“Actually, I also witnessed Lee’s work process during the preparation for the competition that is still being talked about today.”

He added again.

“It was truly amazing.”

The witnesses were giving strength to the direction that they could do it, but…

“Well, even so, branding and conceiving a new brand from scratch, as well as creating a diagram, I’m worried that time will be tight…”

The negative public opinion did not easily disappear.

“You morons.”

Soon, Marc Jacobs muttered, and…

“Why?”

When Alexander King asked the reason, Marc Jacobs spoke again.

“They’re all just trying to get their names on Lee’s project and take advantage of it.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“They don’t care what happens to the project, they just wanted to get their names on it…”

He didn’t like the psychology of those who had participated in this project while doubting Lee.

“Damn it, why are you giving so many people a chance when they’re just going to be supporting actors anyway?”

It was then.

Squeak-.

The door to the banquet hall opened, and…

“Why are you so angry?”

At the familiar voice, Marc Jacobs frowned and immediately turned around.

“Lee-!”

It was a reunion after a long time.