Black Label [EN]: Chapter 42

Black Label – Episode 41

42. The Appearance of the Muse

Was it the sudden praise that had him so flustered?

“Pardon?”

Lee Kang-jun, looking dazed and unlike his usual self, kept glancing between the car’s windshield and Jae-seung’s face.

“Just a moment, let me take a closer look.”

Jae-seung said nonchalantly, turning his attention back to the file.

More precisely, to the A4 paper inside it.

Lee Kang-jun had created six illustrations in total. He’d been putting in overtime every day, a testament to his hard work in such a short time.

‘He really worked hard….’

Regardless, the important thing wasn’t just the effort, but the quality of the work.

And Lee Kang-jun’s illustrations seemed to excel in both areas. They were both diligently crafted and well-executed.

Shhh-.

Shhh-.

Shhh-.

Each time he turned a page, Jae-seung couldn’t help but chuckle.

He’d initially thought of Lee Kang-jun as an uncut gem, but that was an understatement. The difference between these illustrations and the portfolio Lee Kang-jun submitted during his interview was staggering. It was as if two completely different people had created them.

“Kang-jun, about the second illustration…”

“Yes?”

“Do you think you can finalize the schematics by this weekend and hand them over?”

It was a subtle way of informing him that his design had been chosen.

Lee Kang-jun, unable to contain his surprise, kept alternating his gaze between the windshield and Jae-seung’s face as he asked again.

“Yes? Th-then….”

“For now, one design is confirmed for release.”

“Oh my gosh….”

Just as Lee Kang-jun was muttering, his voice trembling slightly.

“You do know that there’s still almost a month left until the production period for this Spring/Summer (S/S) season’s products, right?”

“Yes? Yes.”

“Keep drawing diligently until then. It would be a shame to release just one design, wouldn’t it?”

“Th-thank you!”

The hand gripping the steering wheel was so tense it was visibly white-knuckled.

Jae-seung chuckled and began to carefully examine the second illustration that had been selected for the new S/S season products.

‘He really nailed the design.’

Beyond the excellent overall design and *silhouette* (*Silhouette: the outline or shape of a garment*), what was truly impressive was how perfectly he’d captured the theme Jae-seung had requested.

The theme Jae-seung presented to the Wall Flower design team for this S/S season was simple:

– On Wall Flower Way

Clothes that embody the direction Wall Flower, as a street brand, will move forward.

The clothes Lee Kang-jun designed embodied that perfectly.

First, the type of clothing he designed was a ‘hoodie.’

A baggy hoodie that seemed like anyone, regardless of gender or age, could wear.

Jae-seung liked the fit from the start. Unlike other clothes released so far, it was particularly unisex.

On a male customer, it would have a slightly loose fit, and on a female customer, it would definitely have a ‘*boyfriend fit* (*Boyfriend Fit: a loose, oversized style, as if wearing a boyfriend’s clothes*).’

However, what he liked most was the phrase written in a bold ‘diploma font’ on both arms of the hoodie.

‘Different or Die.’

Be different, or die.

Clack-!

Jae-seung nodded in satisfaction and closed the file he’d been reviewing.

“Boss, am I dreaming right now? It feels like a dream….”

Lee Kang-jun asked, his voice still trembling slightly. Jae-seung began to study Lee Kang-jun’s profile.

He was nervously biting his lower lip. Jae-seung turned his gaze out the window and answered quietly.

“Well? Usually, this situation isn’t called a ‘dream.’”

“Yes?”

“As far as I know, it’s called a ‘beginning.’”

Jae-seung smiled brightly and added another word.

“Let’s work hard. This outfit is the beginning for designer Lee Kang-jun.”

With Jae-seung’s words, a moment of silence filled the car. Only the occasional noise from the engine broke the quiet.

Both Lee Kang-jun and Jae-seung had faint smiles on their faces.

* * *

As time usually does, several days flew by in a daze.

Starting with the first design, the ‘*D or D (Different or Die)’ hoodie, Lee Kang-jun churned out several more designs.

Such as ‘long-sleeved cotton shirts’ or ‘short-sleeved shirts’ with the same design as the hoodie, only changing the shape and silhouette of the clothes.

It was weekly meeting time, held every Monday morning. Jae-seung stood in front of the whiteboard on one side of the office wall.

Jae-seung had his hair neatly slicked back with pomade and his glasses perched on his forehead instead of his eyes.

He loosened the buttons on his shirt sleeves and slowly began to speak.

“First of all, I’d like to share some good news before we start the meeting.”

At the words ‘good news,’ the employees sitting on the sofa in front of the conference table looked expectant.

Jae-seung began to fix the A4 paper he was holding onto the whiteboard with magnets.

It was none other than the illustrations of the clothes designed by Lee Kang-jun.

Soon.

“You may have already heard, but these are the clothes that Kang-jun designed himself. Three of Kang-jun’s designs have been selected for the new 2011 Wall Flower S/S season products.”

As soon as Jae-seung finished speaking, applause erupted. By the time the applause died down, words of congratulations were heard from all over.

“Congratulations, Kang-jun,” “Wow, congratulations,” etc.… The employees each began to offer words of congratulations.

Gazes filled with various emotions, such as admiration, envy, and jealousy, were directed towards Lee Kang-jun.

Lee Kang-jun, scratching the back of his head as if embarrassed, carefully opened his mouth.

“Thank you.”

Jae-seung clapped his hands once and began to speak again.

Clap-!

“Everyone, pay attention! Kang-jun as well, and the other design team employees as well. There are still two weeks left until the start of production for the S/S season’s new products. If you diligently think and draw, you can definitely be selected additionally.”

At Jae-seung’s words, some employees replied energetically, “Yes!” Only then did the full-fledged weekly meeting begin.

Starting with sales status, the release schedule for the new S/S season products, the production schedule for the ‘look book’ [a collection of photos displaying a fashion designer’s new collection], and the collaboration with Hip’s Board, which was nearing completion, were discussed.

Quite some time passed, and just as the meeting was about to wrap up.

Jae-seung snapped his fingers once and spoke again.

Tap-!

“Ah! And, there’s one more piece of good news.”

The employees perked up their ears again and waited for Jae-seung’s next words.

Soon.

“There has been a change in the way this S/S season’s ‘look book’ will be released. Originally, I was planning to release the look book on the ‘Cuba Cuba site’ at the same time as the product launch, and send out paper catalogs as free gifts to purchasing customers, but….”

As soon as Jae-seung trailed off, the inside of the office became as quiet as a mouse.

Jae-seung took a sip of bottled water and added the rest of the story.

“We have reached an agreement to pre-release some of the photos to be included in the ‘look book’ through the next issue of FTV Magazine.”

“Yes?”

“Really?”

As some employees widened their eyes and asked, Jae-seung nodded and answered.

“In addition, we will also be conducting a special interview with all Wall Flower employees. The exact schedule hasn’t been set yet, but it will probably be sometime next week.”

As soon as Jae-seung’s words were finished, the employees began to cheer.

“B-boss… then are we all going to be in the magazine?”

“Wowwwww-!”

It was an idea that had suddenly come to mind while looking for a way to increase the impact of this ‘look book’ release.

He thought that ‘FTV Magazine,’ which he had a good relationship with, might help boost the launch.

As soon as he brought up the idea to Editor Kwon Hyung-mok, he received an enthusiastic okay.

Moreover, the interview with all Wall Flower employees was an agenda that FTV had proposed first.

“I’ll let you know when the interview date is set, so please pay attention to your work attire that day. That’s all.”

The employees said, “Thank you for your hard work,” and began to return to their respective seats one by one.

Even though the weekly meeting was over, the excited atmosphere didn’t subside.

It was a rather chaotic atmosphere for working hours, but he didn’t impose any special restrictions. In a way, it was a natural reaction.

Jae-seung also returned to his seat and unfolded the file containing the schematics he had drawn.

‘Let’s see….’

The preparations for the S/S season were progressing very smoothly.

Although he hadn’t revealed it to the employees, Jae-seung had already succeeded in designing seven outfits.

Combined with the three ‘D or D’ series designed by Lee Kang-jun, they had the ten outfits they were originally targeting.

In fact, they were ready to start producing samples right now.

“Good….”

Jae-seung muttered quietly and looked at the calendar displayed on his monitor’s desktop.

Sample production would begin in two weeks as planned, to maximize the number of items and give other employees a chance.

Once the samples were completed, he planned to immediately start taking photos for the ‘look book.’

Jae-seung nodded a few times in satisfaction and stretched.

“Kkeueueueu-.”

He was living a hectic life.

During the day, he had to work in the office, and at night, he had to draw schematics for the new clothes or come up with images for the photos to be included in the ‘look book.’

Moreover, he was somehow making time to study for the TOEFL [Test of English as a Foreign Language] while traveling or right before going to sleep.

It was a fairly hectic daily life, but it wasn’t painful or difficult. Rather, the busy schedule gave him a sense of purpose.

At that time.

“B-boss. You have a visitor?”

Logistics and delivery team employee Yoo Seung-woo stood in front of the office door and said, and Jae-seung tilted his head slightly and asked.

“Yes? A visitor?”

He wasn’t expecting any visitors, so he was puzzled. Usually, the only visitors were delivery drivers and food delivery people.

“Please bring them inside for now.”

“Th-this way….”

A man followed Yoo Seung-woo into the office.

The employees who recognized the identity of the unexpected guest widened their eyes. Jae-seung was no exception.

Black sunglasses, a bushy mustache, and long hair that rustled with every step.

A very familiar figure, someone who would never have been expected to visit Wall Flower’s office, was standing before Jae-seung.

The mysterious guest took off his sunglasses and spoke quietly.

“Are you designer Lee Jae-seung?”

“Ah….”

“You have a very good style.”

After speaking, the man playfully asked, “Well, you have to be able to make good clothes, right?”

Jae-seung, who had been standing blankly, tried to compose himself and asked, his voice slightly trembling.

“Ryu, Ryu Seung-ho….”

The man standing in front of Jae-seung, Ryu Seung-ho, smiled and answered.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ryu Seung-ho.”

An ‘actor’ and one of Korea’s top ‘fashionistas,’ famous for showcasing cutting-edge fashion at film festivals, award ceremonies, in airport fashion, and even in everyday life.

Ryu Seung-ho.

He was offering Jae-seung a handshake.