Black Label [EN]: Chapter 43

Black Label 42

43. A Heartfelt Proposition

“Please, have a seat.”

Jae-seung said, trying to sound as composed as possible, and began to study Ryu Seung-ho intently.

He had been repeating a certain phrase lately, almost like a mantra.

‘It would be amazing if just one celebrity would wear our clothes…’

Whether it was for airport fashion, at award ceremonies or film festivals, or even on TV.

Anywhere would do, as long as a famous celebrity wore it just once.

And if that started a buzz.

The brand’s reputation would change in no time.

Of course, it still felt too far-fetched, so it remained a vague hope.

However, Jae-seung’s gut was telling him something.

That this meeting was an ‘opportunity.’

So, he had to seize it.

“You’ve decorated the office nicely. It has a great vibe,” Ryu Seung-ho said, settling into the sofa. Jae-seung smiled and replied,

“Thank you. It’s a real honor to meet you.”

“The honor is all mine.”

Ryu Seung-ho.

A self-proclaimed ‘trendsetter,’ he was one of the people Jae-seung had admired since his past life.

It wasn’t just because he was a well-known ‘fashionista’ and an influential ‘celebrity.’ His fashion had significantly influenced Jae-seung.

Jae-seung smiled brightly and said,

“I know you’ve probably heard this a lot, but… I’ve really wanted to meet you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You’ve really changed my perspective.”

Ryu Seung-ho looked puzzled, so Jae-seung continued,

“I was shocked when I saw you mix and match a ‘suit’ with a ‘Jordan jersey.'”

“Ah, I remember that.”

“I was embarrassed, but it was the first time I thought, ‘Sports’ and ‘classic’ can be fused together. You broke my stereotype.”

“You know what they say about interpreting dreams? It’s like that. I just thought it would look good, so I wore it that way.”

Jae-seung carefully chose his words, trying not to make the mistake of mentioning things that hadn’t happened yet.

“The same goes for the 2006 Busan International Film Festival. That was truly visionary.”

“That’s a rather painful memory.”

2006 Busan International Film Festival.

It was probably one of the most unforgettable episodes when it came to ‘Ryu Seung-ho.’ At least, that’s what Jae-seung thought.

At the time, Ryu Seung-ho walked the red carpet wearing a suit with the bottom of the pants rolled up and low-top shoes.

In other words, he was wearing rolled-up pants and sneakers.

It’s a common fashion now, but it was definitely not the case in 2006.

Some experts criticized him for being ‘too unconventional’ and ‘too ahead of his time.’ He even suffered the humiliation of being named ‘Worst Dressed.’

Of course, now it’s a great anecdote that supports Ryu Seung-ho’s foresight and fashion sense.

“Anyway, I really wanted to meet you.”

“So, did our designer Lee Jae-seung get his wish?”

“You could say that.”

He suddenly felt like he had only been saying what he wanted to say. It wasn’t to flatter Ryu Seung-ho.

He just had so much he wanted to say to him. To Jae-seung, he was like a ‘muse.’

Jae-seung took a sip of water and carefully continued,

“I’ve been talking so much that I haven’t asked the important question. Did you come here for sponsorship?”

He hoped so. Jae-seung was repeating ‘Please, please…’ in his mind when Ryu Seung-ho finally spoke.

“No, I didn’t come for sponsorship.”

“Yes? Then….”

“I’m taking a break these days.”

Ryu Seung-ho playfully raised an eyebrow and continued,

“I prefer to try on clothes before I buy them. I thought I’d stop by to see the clothes and have a chat with designer Lee Jae-seung.”

“Yes….”

“Oh, if you’re busy, I can come back another time. I’m really free these days.”

Jae-seung, who had been sitting blankly for a moment, exclaimed, “Ah!” A story he had heard in his past life suddenly flashed through his mind.

When the designer brand called ‘Secret Closet’ was just starting out,

Ryu Seung-ho had visited their tiny six-pyeong [approximately 200 square feet] office, which didn’t even have a space to display clothes or a fitting room.

The space was so small that all the clothes were in boxes, but he personally checked each item in the boxes and even tried them on in his car before buying them.

It was a pretty famous story, at least among people in the fashion industry.

‘Secret Closet,’ which didn’t even have a fitting room, eventually gained recognition after going through several famous collections around the world, and the story became a testament to Ryu Seung-ho’s foresight.

‘Well, did he visit with a similar intention?’

Whatever the reason, it was definitely something to welcome with open arms.

He was someone who would be beneficial to befriend. Regardless of profit, he was someone he wanted to get close to.

And if he bought even one piece of clothing?

There was no telling when and how it would have a ripple effect. At least, it wouldn’t be left in the closet as a display item.

“You don’t have to worry about that. Fortunately, I have plenty of time today.”

“That’s a relief. I can talk comfortably.”

“Seung-ho, how did you find out about our brand?”

“You did an interview with FTV Magazine last time.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Was it the December or January issue? I can’t remember… Anyway, I saw you there for the first time and have been following you with interest ever since. I thought you had a great sense of style.”

“Ah….”

He had a vague belief that the interview with FTV Magazine would be a good career move, but he never imagined it would have such a positive impact.

As Jae-seung was lost in thought, Ryu Seung-ho snapped his fingers and continued,

“Ah, by the way, I was most impressed by that part.”

“Yes? Which part?”

“I don’t know if you remember, but… you said that age is a fleeting advantage, so you have to work harder.”

“Ah….”

As soon as he heard Ryu Seung-ho’s words, the conversation he had with the reporter at the time flashed through his mind.

He felt a surge of emotion seeing Ryu Seung-ho remember a conversation that he himself barely remembered.

“That’s really encouraging. Thank you.”

“Hey… I just remember memorable things, that’s all. You don’t have to thank me.”

Ryu Seung-ho waved his hand and immediately asked,

“By the way, when is your next new product release scheduled?”

“Well, at the earliest, the end of February. If it’s delayed, I’m thinking around mid-March, but it’s a bit vague to give you a definite answer. We haven’t even started making samples yet, and the designs aren’t all out.”

“Hmm? Isn’t that a pretty long gap between releases?”

“Yes?”

“Usually, designer brands that release two or three pieces at a time release them every month, right? Or am I wrong?”

Jae-seung nodded slightly and replied,

“That’s right. But we’re actually trying to change the way we produce things from this time on.”

“Changing the production method?” Ryu Seung-ho said, sounding amused. Jae-seung continued,

“Yes, we’re going to try to have a full lineup from now on.”

Ryu Seung-ho listened to Jae-seung’s explanation and asked in a serious tone,

“That’s quite a challenge, isn’t it?”

Was it his imagination? The word ‘challenge’ seemed to be emphasized. Jae-seung nodded slightly and replied,

“Yes. It’s quite a challenge for Wallflower.”

“Designer Lee Jae-seung.”

“Yes.”

“It’s just that the ‘look book’ came up, how many have you picked so far?”

“Yes?”

“I mean designs.”

“Ah, I have exactly ten completed designs.”

“Hmm, I know it’s a sensitive matter….”

Ryu Seung-ho trailed off and carefully added,

“Could you possibly show them to me?”

“Yes? The designs?”

“Yes.”

As he said, it was definitely a sensitive matter, so the first thought that came to his mind was, ‘Why?’

As Jae-seung looked at Ryu Seung-ho with a puzzled expression,

“I think there’s a lot I can help with.”

Ryu Seung-ho finished speaking with a smile and added, “Because it’s a big challenge.”

“You can help me?”

“The photos that will be in the look book, are they model shots?”

“Yes.”

“Have you finished casting the models?”

As soon as he heard his question, the thought ‘Could it be?’ flashed through his mind. Ryu Seung-ho added again,

“I can’t say for sure until I see the designs, but if the clothes are good, I’m willing to help in any way I can. As a model.”

“Seung-ho, I really appreciate your offer, but… our financial situation can’t afford your fee.”

“I’m not planning on getting paid.”

“Yes…?”

“If I was, I wouldn’t have said I was willing to help, I would have said I was willing to work with you.”

Ryu Seung-ho finished speaking with a bright smile and quietly added,

“I think it’s better to look at the clothes first. If the clothes I have to wear aren’t good, it doesn’t matter if it’s ‘Versace’ instead of ‘Wallflower.'”

It was a statement that showed his belief as a trendsetter. Jae-seung, who had been lost in thought for a moment, replied briefly,

“Okay. Let’s take a look.”

He didn’t know what his motives were for helping him, but he judged that Ryu Seung-ho wouldn’t steal his designs.

Jae-seung picked up the file on his desk and handed it to Ryu Seung-ho, saying,

“Take your time.”

“Yes, just a moment.”

Ryu Seung-ho began to examine the A4 sheets in the file with a sharp look he had never shown before.

Rustle-.

Rustle-.

Rustle-.

Soon. Ryu Seung-ho nodded, looking quite satisfied, and opened his mouth.

“Oh, it’s much better than I expected.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“I’ll do it. The model. The fee is a new sample from this S/S [Spring/Summer] season. How about it?”

“Of course! No, I’ll give you one every season!”

He was just dumbfounded. A celebrity had suddenly come to his office and was volunteering to be a look book model. Ryu Seung-ho continued,

“I was thinking that there are many things I can help with besides being a model.”

After speaking, he shook his head and added.

“No, I think I have to help. Somehow.”

A deep, intense light flickered in his eyes.