Black Label [EN]: Chapter 295

Black Label Extra Story 46

Geraldine Saglio, entering the subway station, let out a soft “Oh…” of admiration.

“It has a classic feel, doesn’t it?”

It was a moment where one could feel not only the personal wealth of the designer ‘Lee’ but also the prestige of the name LVMH [a French multinational luxury goods conglomerate].

Although it was unknown when the show concept was decided, the entire interior of the abandoned Paris subway station had been remodeled during the preparation period.

It looked as if Gare Saint-Lazare, a train station that appeared in the heart of Paris around 1942, had been moved here.

“It really feels like a train station….”

A sound that seemed like it would be heard when a steam locomotive moved was flowing from the speakers.

Whether all the walls were modified into screens, train station scenery was being broadcast on the screen.

And that wasn’t all.

Even dozens of models dressed in the fashion of the time were standing, busily moving about inside the station.

“A flash mob, huh….”

This was the second time a show had hired so many people as flash mob extras.

The first experience was also a show where Lee participated as a guest designer for Alexander King a long time ago.

“Certainly, Lee is an excellent designer and a performer with tremendous potential and ideas….”

As Geraldine trailed off, the new employee next to her nodded.

“It must have cost a fortune….”

Of course, a designer of Lee’s caliber wouldn’t skimp on the funds invested in the show, but it was clear at a glance that an astronomical amount had been spent.

“Leasing an abandoned subway station and remodeling it to this quality….”

Moreover, if it was leased with the city’s permission, the cost of restoring it to its original state would certainly be charged.

“Of course, I thought it would be enormous since it’s the launch of a new brand that LVMH’s survival depends on, but all I can say is it’s beyond imagination….”

Furthermore, the remodeled subway station even had a series of symbolic meanings.

The scene unfolding before their eyes was the starting point of the fashion world’s revival and genesis.

It was around the time when brands that now hold many of the top positions in the fashion pyramid were starting.

When Coco Chanel first introduced the tennis skirt, or when a young Dior [Christian Dior, a famous fashion designer] was preparing to launch….

Geraldine Saglio was looking around the station with a dazed expression when suddenly….

– We have an announcement.

Suddenly, an announcement came over the speakers installed in the station.

– The 「Present」 train is now entering the station.

– Guests who have come to see the show, please step back.

– We will repeat the announcement.

– The 「Present」 train is now entering the station.

Soon, along with frantic bell sounds, a subway train entered the abandoned subway tracks where no trains had run for years.

“Good heavens….”

The new employee turned pale.

“Even a subway….”

Geraldine also muttered, her face filled with astonishment.

Only then did she check the ticket she received when she entered the abandoned subway station.

She never imagined that the ticket, which she thought was just a souvenir, would be an actual seat ticket.

『 1940 -> To ‘Present’ 』

Arriving at 4:10 PM.

Car A, Seat 1 / First Class.

Reserved for two.

Not only the two of them, but everyone in the abandoned subway station to see the Cardo show looked around.

“It’s a groundbreaking concept….”

“Yes, definitely….”

“The show planning skills are really….”

Even conservative columnists who thought the launch of the new brand Cardo was a reckless choice exchanged opinions, surprised by the planning.

“Shall we board for now?”

At Geraldine Saglio’s question, the new employee nodded and boarded the subway.

“Ah….”

The moment the two stepped into the subway, they both groaned as if they had made a promise.

Only then….

They could realize that the subway aisle would be used as the runway for this Cardo show.

“Good heavens….”

Moreover, since screens were installed on all the subway windows, the scenery of past Paris was vividly visible beyond them.

Whether the videos being broadcast were produced separately, people dressed in the fashion of the time were walking around the streets of Paris.

The clear-quality video, not a hard-to-recognize black and white screen, was being broadcast without any sense of incongruity.

“This is insane….”

It was an amazing plan that elicited such an extreme expression.

“I’m really excited to see the models up close! I’m so glad I joined Vogue to be invited to such a show.”

“Did you regret joining before that?”

“Of course! It’s a meager salary that disappears just by paying the rent for a cramped *studio* (*one-room apartment*) with only one room, and I’m suffering from overtime every day!”

At those words, Geraldine chuckled and said as if agreeing.

“That’s right, it’s not a good job.”

She recalled that she too had always been tormented before she became famous as an ‘editor’ thanks to her innate looks and excellent fashion sense.

Well, anyway….

Being able to be formally invited to and watch a show by a world-renowned designer like Lee is a really great privilege.

If black market tickets were available, fashion enthusiasts from all over the world would rush to buy tickets even if they had to pay a huge premium.

Being able to watch a special show where even the location is unknown until the show ends, unless you are invited….

“Anyway, I just think I’m so glad I joined! I should stay employed at least until Lee retires!”

That’s when it happened.

– The 「Present」 train will be departing soon.

– Guests, please take your assigned seats.

– We will repeat the announcement.

– The 「Present」 train will be departing soon.

The announcement came out again.

Cheek! Cheeeeeek!

The sound of a locomotive emitting steam began to flow from the speakers.

Soon, Geraldine muttered “Ah” and involuntarily closed her eyes.

It felt like she was really traveling in a time machine to an era she had never experienced before.

The feeling of excitement that she had never felt when watching any other brand’s show stirred within her.

Cheek! Cheeeeeek!

The subway started moving.

No.

To be exact, only the background moved.

Clunk, clunk!

Along with that, the subway shook greatly, and the noise that could be heard inside the train continued to ring out….

Those on board the subway couldn’t help but be under the illusion that the train was actually moving.

How long had it been?

Thud, thud-.

An elderly gentleman wearing a very classic custom-tailored suit opened the subway aisle door, looking around.

In his hand was a fedora made of high-quality fabric at a glance, and a silk handkerchief was tucked into his chest.

And that wasn’t all.

The shoes were made by assembling the finest fabric from Belute, a brand under the LVMH Group, and attaching buckles from Ferdin, a brand within the same group.

“Could it be….”

It was the first model.

“Dior [French luxury fashion house], Ferdin, Belute….”

The tailor worn by the elderly model, who decorated the highlight of this show, was a product made by paying homage to Dior’s early suits.

A custom tailor handcrafted over countless hours in the atelier [a workshop or studio, especially one used by an artist or designer] by Dior House’s proud masters.

The coat had four buttons, and it was perfectly finished to the point where there was nothing to criticize even when viewed up close.

The most surprising thing was that even though the identities of the three brands under the group were intact, there was no sense of incongruity at all.

The designer’s ability to harmoniously connect them was perfectly revealed.

“It retains the classic feel, but it also has a sophisticated feel because it is finished in a recently popular way….”

“That kind of pattern making and finishing method is not Christian Dior’s, but Ferdin’s, a brand within the same group….”

“When I first heard that they would fuse the strengths of brands within the group, I didn’t have much of a feeling, but I didn’t know it would feel like this….”

So, the first model passed through the compartment where they were sitting and disappeared straight into the next compartment across the aisle.

The first model could be seen as acting in a context roughly similar to the ‘*amuse-bouche*’ [a single, bite-sized hors d’œuvre] of a high-end fine dining restaurant.

The amuse-bouche was a small token of sincerity given by the chef in charge of the kitchen to raise expectations for the course prepared today.

Guests tasted the amuse-bouche, chose the menu, and imagined the course they would taste today while waiting….

“The first model already showed clothes of such perfect quality….”

The new editor said quietly.

“I’m looking forward to the rest of the show….”

“Yes, really….”

“I want to see the next outfits….”

Soon, the two turned their heads at the same time, and began to look at the connecting passage between the compartments where the first model had entered earlier.

It wasn’t just them.

“The gap is long….”

“Quickly….”

“I want to see it….”

Now, the guests seated are all looking at the connecting passage like meerkats.

Everyone was captivated by the anticipation for Cardo.

Tap, tap-.

The show had officially begun.