Black Label [EN]: Chapter 93

Black Label 92

93. Genius, A Sign of Appearance

“Excuse me? So you’re saying Lee is at the atelier right now, making samples of the product…?”

At Alexander’s question, Michelle nodded once and carefully continued.

“It was Lee’s choice. We clearly said, ‘I don’t think you need to go that far’ repeatedly. Although there was some argument… still, in the end, everyone was able to grasp the intention behind his scheme. We’ve agreed to do our best for now.”

“Anyway, I’m glad it seems like the story has come to a good end. I really like the scheme itself. This season, we’ll definitely be able to achieve tremendous results.”

Alexander said briefly, adding, “If we can handle that tremendous difficulty.”

When Alexander first checked the two schemes Lee sent via email, he couldn’t help but exclaim.

Hadn’t Alexander seen countless schemes and even drawn them himself?

To move his heart with just a few schemes, it would have to contain something differentiated that wasn’t contained in other designers’ schemes.

The reason why Jae-seung’s scheme could move his heart was quite simple.

Delicacy.

What should I say? It felt meticulously designed, stitch by stitch, with all his nerves focused?

It was a perfect scheme without a single carelessly drawn line.

It didn’t simply mean it was a meticulously produced scheme.

Because there is a huge gap between meticulousness and delicacy.

Lee’s scheme felt like it had been completed after dozens or hundreds of trials and errors over a very long time.

Just as Alexander was immersed in such thoughts, Michelle frowned deeply and continued.

“Alexander, didn’t Lee’s design tendency clearly show in the scheme?”

After answering, “Yes, I really felt it clearly,” Alexander continued in a very excited tone.

“I don’t know about others, but I didn’t expect Lee to be such a design pervert. The ‘Wall Flower’ products I looked at before didn’t feel like this. Anyway, as soon as I saw the scheme, I predicted the success of this season. I’m sure of it. Even if it’s released under someone else’s name, not mine, it’s a product that can get more than average response.”

“That’s right. The scheme itself was impeccable. No, it was perfect. But this season, we’ll have to make dozens, hundreds of clothes of that difficulty. Didn’t you think that if we do it wrong, we might not be able to meet the deadline?”

A moment of silence fell.

Michelle added an explanation in a gentle tone.

“As I said before, all the tailors at the atelier have agreed to do their best. I’m just asking because I thought Alexander might have felt that question too.”

Soon Alexander frowned slightly and replied.

“I guarantee that will never happen. If we can’t meet the deadline, we can just put Lee in as a troubleshooter, right?”

“Excuse me? What does that…”

Just as Michelle was about to continue, Alexander stood up from the sofa and said.

“First of all, I think it would be better to go to the atelier and watch Lee’s sewing process directly.”

“Alexander, as you can see from the scheme, the scheme Lee is currently working on is not something that can be finished in just one day. Moreover, Lee is working on that difficult scheme without even one assistant.”

“Well? I think half a day would be enough.”

Alexander replied in a short tone, gave a faint smile, and continued.

“Michelle, do you believe in the word ‘talent’? It’s a bit much to say it myself… but I’ve heard the compliment that I’m full of talent so many times that I can’t even count.”

“Ah, yes. I know. I also know that Alexander has been attracting attention since before he graduated from Parsons [a prestigious art and design school in New York City].”

Not long after entering Parsons, his name began to be mentioned throughout the New York fashion scene as soon as he went through several school events, including the competition.

Also, upon graduation, he was scouted by the famous designer brand ‘Marc Jacobs’, and even after completing his internship, he made a splendid debut through New York Fashion Week.

From some point on, the phrase ‘young genius of the New York fashion scene’ even followed his name like a modifier.

But.

“But I have never thought that the results I have achieved are based on talent.”

“Then?”

“I fell in love with fashion when I was 12 years old. When my friends used their allowance to buy snacks, I used my allowance to buy fabrics and subsidiary materials or fashion magazines. Also, I worked part-time every vacation to watch fashion weeks in various countries.”

After finishing speaking, Alexander picked up his coat and continued.

“If I erase the memories related to fashion from my childhood memories, there will be nothing left. But talent? The word talent is just a word that belittles my efforts so far. The public eagerly hopes for the emergence of an artist with genius, but at least I’m not.”

“Hmm, Alexander’s thoughts are also valid…”

“But surprisingly, a true ‘genius’ recently appeared in the fashion world. It seems like there is no word to describe that person other than talent.”

After speaking, Alexander picked up a shopping bag placed on the floor next to his office desk and handed it over.

It was a shopping bag with the logo of the premium brand ‘Alexander King’ neatly engraved.

As soon as Michelle received the shopping bag, Alexander said in a gentle tone.

“Would you like to take a closer look?”

Soon Michelle immediately took out the handbag contained in the shopping bag.

“Hmm? It’s last season’s product?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s the bag Michelle sewed the sample for.”

Among the products released with Alexander King’s tag last season, it was the bag with the highest sewing difficulty.

The most difficult scheme is given to the Meister [master craftsman or expert].

Michelle still had vivid memories of struggling for days to make a sample of this bag.

“It’s nice to see you after a long time. But why this product?”

“It’s a replica product made by Lee himself.”

“Oh my gosh, what…?”

It was a matter that I hadn’t even suspected. Even knowing it was a replica and looking at it, I couldn’t find any significant differences.

Soon Alexander nodded a few times and continued.

“Moreover, Lee finished copying it in just one day with last season’s LookBook [a collection of photographs compiled to show off a fashion brand’s new collection] spread out next to him without even a single scheme. Michelle, was the sewing difficulty of that tote bag easy?”

“No, never…”

Wasn’t it a product that even she, as a Meister, had struggled with for days?

Although it wasn’t as good as the scheme Lee had drawn himself, it was definitely a difficult scheme.

“The scheme Lee is currently sewing, even if it’s difficult, is a scheme he drew himself. Wouldn’t it be much easier than copying with only the lookbooks of other brands?”

“I really can’t believe it…”

Michelle was staring at the tote bag in her hand with wide eyes.

“Michelle, trust Lee.”

After taking a breath, Alexander added in a confident tone.

“He is a genius.”

As soon as Alexander left his office, Michelle followed him.

The hallway was silent, punctuated only by the occasional footsteps of two people.

* * *

Ziiiiiiiiing—.

With each roar of the sewing machine, Jae-seung’s hands moved with dazzling speed.

His eyes, intensely focused, practically radiated concentration, while his fingertips danced with delicate precision.

How much time had elapsed?

After working with unwavering focus for what felt like an eternity, Jae-seung blinked and looked around.

The atelier staff were still at their stations, each absorbed in their sewing.

Sensing a presence behind him, Jae-seung turned around to see Michelle standing there, arms crossed, looking visibly exhausted.

“Michelle, what time is it? Why is everyone still here…?”

“They already left.”

“Pardon?”

“They came back to work. It’s 11 AM.”

Jae-seung involuntarily exclaimed, “Good heavens….”

He knew a significant amount of time had passed, but he never imagined it had been that long.

Michelle was equally astonished, unable to hide her shock.

‘What incredible concentration….’

Jae-seung had been working for a full 14 hours without so much as getting up from his chair.

Even with earphones on and completely absorbed in his work, how could he have been oblivious to everything happening around him?

While Jae-seung was engrossed, the atelier’s tailors had gone home and returned for their next shift. Alexander had visited during the night, and Michelle had stayed up all night watching Jae-seung’s progress.

Jae-seung hadn’t noticed any of it.

However, there was something even more astonishing.

“You finished it after all….”

The completed sample bag was neatly placed on Jae-seung’s workbench.

Only a close inspection would reveal the difference, but the exterior appeared identical to the scheme she had received.

Jae-seung nodded once and replied,

“Yes. It was definitely a challenging task.”

Speaking with a somewhat weak tone, Jae-seung, his eyes slightly unfocused, began to stare at the bag on the workbench.

It was clear he had poured more effort into this than any other task since his regression [reversion to a previous state or form].

And he had to.

Wasn’t he standing before the greatest opportunity he had ever faced?

Wasn’t this a crucial moment to instill a sense of ‘certainty’ in those who would be moving forward with him?

Jae-seung looked at Michelle and said in a low voice,

“Michelle, if you examine the sample and are satisfied with the result… could you pass it on to the other tailors?”

“What should I tell them?”

“There’s no chance of this happening, but if the schedule gets messed up and the work piles up, tell them I’ll take responsibility and finish it no matter what.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt, ‘That’s it.’ The power of words doesn’t come solely from one’s position.

Jae-seung simply wanted to say these words, and he wanted to make them even more powerful.

The power of words changes depending on who speaks them. He wanted to show the results first, and then say it.

*Trust me and follow me, because I will take responsibility no matter what.*

After speaking, Jae-seung collapsed onto the workbench and said, “I think I need to rest for a bit.”

As soon as the tension was released, sleepiness washed over him like a tidal wave.

As soon as Jae-seung collapsed in his place, his broad shoulders began to heave slowly.

Michelle, who had been blankly watching him, covered him with a blanket.

Her thoughts had shifted.

Until yesterday, she thought she would remember him as the most stubborn creative director, but not anymore.

Lee will be remembered as the most special creative director in Alexander King’s history.

Michelle smiled faintly and reached for the bag on the workbench.

It was time to assess the results.

* * *

Sitting in the best seat on the sofa in his office, Alexander carefully examined the sample bag made by Jae-seung and cautiously opened his mouth.

“Theo, what do you think?”

Theo, the businessman who was sitting in one of the sofa seats, nodded once and replied,

“It’s absolutely perfect. I think we should meet Lee right away and have a conversation.”

He had a mountain of questions he wanted to ask.

How many more products of this level could he produce? Could this season’s lookbook [a collection of photographs compiled to show off a fashion brand’s new collection] be composed entirely of products of this quality?

*If so?*

He was planning to pour an unprecedented amount of money into marketing.

He was convinced that this was an unrealistic investment opportunity with perfectly guaranteed returns and no risk whatsoever.

Alexander smiled slightly and replied,

“Michelle says he’s sleeping on the atelier workbench.”

“Excuse me? In the atelier…?”

“Yes. He must have been very tired.”

Alexander nodded in agreement and began to stare intently at the bag on the table again.

His conviction grew stronger.

Alexander King’s upcoming S/S [Spring/Summer] season, and Alexander King’s upcoming S/S show….

It will be the debut stage for the genius that the public has been eagerly awaiting.

And he and his brand will properly enjoy the rewards and privileges of having recognized and preempted the genius early on.

‘I’m looking forward to it in many ways.’

A deep smile spread across his lips. It was a smile full of the generosity and composure of a winner.