Black Label [EN]: Chapter 287

Black Label Episode 38

The question on every designer’s mind regarding this ‘Cardo Project’ was quite simple:

Is launching Cardo within the given deadline even physically possible?

Launching a new brand typically takes several years on average.

“I’ll explain in detail.”

And now.

“This is a women’s shoe line combining Berluti’s unique leather processing techniques with Christian Dior’s classic designs.”

Jaeseung was quelling these doubts with diagrams he had prepared in his spare time.

“We’ve selected Venezia calfskin, originally developed and patented by our company, as the main texture and plan to apply all our techniques.”

“Techniques, you say…”

“For example, a patina dyeing method where vegetable and chrome tanning are done simultaneously, and then an artisan polishes the leather surface with a whetstone to create a classic feel.”

Jaeseung pressed the button again….

“We created a 3D model of the finished product, and this is how it looks.”

A women’s shoe product that harmoniously blended the strengths of ‘both brands’ was displayed on the screen.

A Christian Dior’s flagship women’s shoe model made with Berluti’s excellent leather as the texture….

“Oh….”

Several designers, who were examining the expected design, couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Oh….”

The next diagram appeared in succession.

“Next product.”

This product was a dress diagram.

Moreover….

It was a sketch, not a completed diagram.

“This isn’t your creation.”

One designer narrowed his eyes.

“Isn’t this Givenchy’s signature dress model, a brand under the LVMH Group?”

As his remark caused a stir in the room, Jaeseung nodded slightly and replied in a soft tone.

“That’s correct.”

Then he added an explanation.

“This is a diagram sketch of a product modeled after the classic dress Audrey Hepburn wore at the Sabrina party….”

A moment of silence.

“I want to emphasize that this isn’t a drawing based on the original diagram, but a diagram drawn speculatively from the released finished product, so it may not be exactly the same as the original.”

At that, the designer, Ricardo Cassi, who had pointed out that the diagram was merely a copy of the Givenchy dress, retorted in a harsh tone.

“Are you saying that because it’s a drawing based on speculation, it might be your ‘creation’?”

The room stirred again….

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

Jaeseung explained again.

“Since it’s not the original diagram, in order to produce and release the dress, we need the help of Givenchy Fashion House, which still has the diagram of the dress that was released in 1968….”

Jaeseung stared intently at Ricardo Cassi, the designer who pointed out that the dress was merely a ‘copy,’ and added.

“That’s what I meant by needing help from Givenchy Fashion House.”

At that, he, who had been leading Givenchy Fashion House from 2005 to the present, cleared his throat, “Ahem.”

“Well, let’s take a look anyway.”

The moment Jaeseung pressed the button.

“Good heavens….”

The designers standing throughout the room simultaneously let out deep sighs, as if they had made a promise.

“Yes, this dress is a copy.”

Jaeseung added an explanation again.

“Or should I say, a copy of a classic….”

Jaeseung revealed a diagram sketch that was none other than the famous product that the famous actress Audrey Hepburn wore to the Sabrina party in 1968, which became a hot topic.

“However, it doesn’t just stop at being a copy….”

Everyone stared blankly at the screen, as if they were mesmerized by something.

“We’ve injected Louis Vuitton’s DNA into it.”

It was exactly as he said.

“Fantastic….”

“Harmonious….”

“Innovative….”

On top of Givenchy’s classic haute couture [high fashion] model, the Sabrina party dress, Louis Vuitton’s monogram logo, which possesses aristocratic DNA, was printed.

Surprisingly….

Simply adding the monogram logo seemed to conceal the only drawback of the Sabrina party dress, its emptiness.

‘No….’

Rather, it felt as if a pair of wings had sprouted.

What should I say?

It felt like Louis Vuitton’s aristocratic DNA and unique heritage had been injected.

“How could you create these products in just a few days….”

The designers began to look up at Jaeseung with awe-filled eyes.

Just a few minutes….

In a few minutes, they were overwhelmed by Lee’s sparkling talent.

“It’s too early to be surprised.”

Jaeseung pressed the remote control button several times in a row….

The diagrams he had drawn in his spare time passed by like a slideshow.

“I have dozens of these diagrams prepared. Surprisingly, I was able to draw them quickly without putting in much effort.”

Everyone was impressed by that remark….

“The secret is simple.”

Jaeseung looked around at the assembled designers and added quietly.

“I simply recalled the strengths of the premium brands of LVMH [Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy] that you have branded, and then….”

A moment of silence.

“I just mixed them like mixing paints.”

Then he continued.

“It’s the same with paint.”

Jaeseung pressed the button again….

“This is….”

A somewhat difficult design was displayed on the screen.

“Well, what do you think?”

Jaeseung added an explanation.

“This is a men’s outerwear made with Loro Piana’s finest vicuña wool as the main fabric.”

“Ah….”

“As is usually the case with vicuña wool, it has the disadvantage of not being suitable for the younger generation at all.”

Loro Piana, one of the countless brands under the LVMH Group, mainly showcased products aimed at middle-aged or elderly people due to the characteristics of its signature material, vicuña wool.

“Since the brand’s fit is aimed at middle-aged and older people from the beginning, I used the finest vicuña wool to create it based on Givenchy’s outerwear diagram, but….”

Marc Jacobs muttered.

“It’s terribly awful.”

Jaeseung then added.

“This diagram was drawn to show that simply mixing things together doesn’t necessarily produce excellent results.”

A moment of silence.

“Just as the results vary greatly depending on how you mix the paints, I was able to conclude that the same is true for clothing.”

It was no exaggeration to say that all of LVMH’s brands were the best brands with solid positions….

“If you’re not careful, you might end up with such an unbalanced result.”

Jaeseung added again.

“Two weeks from now.”

Silence fell….

“I will be accepting submissions for diagrams to be included in Cardo’s product lineup. Of course, I plan to provide more than enough royalties for the products.”

At that, a murmur spread throughout the room….

“You mean you’re going to complete all of Cardo’s product lineups in two weeks and start preparing for full-scale production and distribution?”

Jaeseung replied.

“The original deadline was about three weeks, but I believe it will be shortened by at least a week if you all help.”

One of the designers, after letting out a “Huh,” raised his hand and politely asked.

“So, you’re saying that you thought you could finish preparing the product lineup in three weeks even if you were preparing it alone?”

Jaeseung answered immediately.

“Yes, that’s right.”

It depends on how many types are released, but if the products are classified into sections like Wallflower….

If 3 to 5 types are released per section, it was an amount that could be finished in about 3 weeks alone.

“Yes, three weeks should be enough.”

It could be said to be an arrogant remark, but none of them dared to refute it.

Because Jaeseung had shown countless unbelievable results over the past few years.

“As you all probably expect, 「Cardo」 may be the first and last this year.”

Jaeseung added again.

“Perhaps 「Cardo」 will be the end of its launch year, and no subsequent product lineup will ever be released to the world again.”

If Cardo’s new products are released every year in the long term, there is a possibility that it will lead to the decline of the group brand, no matter how many good products are poured out and record sales are achieved.

In short….

It’s the same as an event brand.

“Everyone who has decided to participate without opposing this project must be thinking that it will definitely be a historic project.”

Everyone nodded.

It’s an unprecedented project.

Whether they know it or not….

“It will be talked about for a long time….”

“It’s an unusual project….”

“I’m looking forward to the results….”

Regardless of success or failure, they were just thinking that it would definitely be mentioned for a long time because there had never been such a challenging attempt.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Jaeseung added again.

“Please think of it as a golden opportunity to leave your name in history, and I would appreciate it if you could pour out everything you have honed.”

With those words, Jaeseung slightly bowed his head….

Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

The designers in the room began to applaud.

The thunderous applause continued for a long time.

The burden of whether the schedule was feasible disappeared….

Hadn’t they all confirmed Lee’s ability to lead the project?

‘Good….’

The designers in the room came to the same conclusion.

‘I want to somehow….’

They had a desire to come up with innovative designs and include them in the product lineup of 「Cardo」, which will be launched soon.

No….

They were determined to write their names in some way, even if it was just one line, in the great project that would go down in history.

“Well, then….”

Jaeseung looked around at those he knew and continued.

“Shall we enjoy the banquet?”

It was time to catch up with those he hadn’t seen in a while.