After finishing the last dessert, Jo Soo-deok looked at me and asked.
"About that concept shop you mentioned, is there a particular reason you're interested in that specific tailor shop?"
"You'll understand right away when you see it."
"…?"
"Just glancing at the list of masterpieces on the walls will tell you everything about the owner's taste."
Maybe it's because I rarely praise others. A flicker of curiosity appeared in Jo Soo-deok's eyes.
"Well, if both the British royal family and our Boss selected it, the place must be exceptional."
I smirked.
"Still, I wonder if they're being a bit too picky."
"Picky, you say?"
"I heard that they wanted to confirm your sincerity…."
Ah.
"You mentioned wanting to carry on the legacy of traditional attire while preparing for a new era, right? He wants to verify that sincerity."
So he's talking about the condition added by Sir Lewis.
I replied with a smile.
"If I wanted something new, I would have gone to America."
The land of opportunity. America, a place symbolic of new waves. In contrast:
"Expanding a brand in the UK means pursuing value beyond mere novelty."
"So you mean to uphold tradition?"
I nodded.
Without embracing the spirit of Europe, one cannot attract the support of the aristocracy, the so-called old money. That's why it's hard to find American brands among the so-called luxury labels.
"A tailor recognized by the royal family and a concept shop that earned his approval. This is the story we need."
"So, you'll keep running hard for that story today as well?"
I smirked.
Once I start talking with Jo Soo-deok, we could chat all day. I'd love to, but as he said, I have a busy schedule today.
So, what can I do?
I said with a face full of regret.
"I'll book a first-class ticket for you."
"No, you really don't have to…."
"You'll be leaving in a hurry, so you should at least travel comfortably."
"Pardon?"
His ears perked up at the word 'hurry.'
"Well, actually, I just arrived today."
"How about a full month's rest before you leave?"
"Not quite a month."
"Then should I make it two months?"
At this point, the answer was clear.
"Boss, to be honest…."
"…?"
"British weather doesn't suit me well. The gloomy skies here make me feel down every time I come."
"And New York?"
"My second home. I feel so at ease the moment I get off the plane."
"That's good to hear. Oh, you remember the details, right?"
"Of course. New York, skateboard…."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Yes, leave it to me."
With that lackluster farewell, we had to part ways.
As Jo Soo-deok headed to the airport, I took a taxi to the most famous shoemaker in London.
As Sir Lewis had said, it was to prove my sincerity.
***
The place I was headed to was a shoe company called "John Green."
Remember that day? When I complimented Tennessee Grosvenor on his shoes, asking if I could buy them somewhere like the luxury Harris department store.
"A craftsman's work isn't displayed in department stores," he replied sternly.
And he told me the brand name—John Green.
"Thanks to him, I got a bit of an education."
A building not very large for its fame. Founded in the mid-19th century, this place has been crafting shoes for British royalty for generations. They never produce ready-made items, focusing solely on custom-made shoes. Despite the overflow of orders, the work is slow; even if you make a reservation today, you might not see your shoes for three years. Due to this rarity, the store is always bustling.
With such fame, even the luxury giant Hermès sought to license the John Green trademark. As a result, Hermès's shoe lineup sold out like wildfire. Even though they weren't crafted by John Green, just slapping on the name was enough to make people line up to buy.
By now, they must know they could make a fortune producing ready-made shoes, yet they remain devoted only to bespoke craftsmanship. From a market standpoint, it might seem foolish. But then again…
"Such stubborn dedication is what makes a true luxury brand."
If I could bring John Green on board, it would be like gaining a powerful ally.
"Now, this is worth the request."
I walked confidently into the building. My destination was the office of John Green's secretary.
"What brings you here?"
"I'm here to meet the president."
Though I wore a sophisticated suit, I couldn't look older than a high schooler. Yet here I was, asking to meet the head of John Green.
"I'd like to hear his thoughts on preserving the legacy of traditional attire. Could you convey my request?"
Despite my explanation, the secretary still looked at me with a hint of doubt.
So who are you?
My answer was simple.
"A new student admitted to the Royal Academy this year."
***
The president of John Green had a sharp look. The deep wrinkles on his forehead seemed to attest to how often he frowned. It made sense; this was a man who would later go head-to-head with Hermès in a lawsuit, a determined and, some would say, obstinately stubborn figure.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes."
But even he softened his expression a bit in front of a seventeen-year-old youth. Sometimes it's good to be young.
"What's this about?"
"As the end of traditional attire approaches, I wondered what preparations John Green has in place."
The president, who had been sitting cross-legged, straightened up. Then he deepened the lines on his forehead and asked, "The end of traditional attire? Who says that?"
"I felt it myself."
"You felt it yourself?"
A mixture of displeasure and curiosity on his face. Thankfully, curiosity seemed to take the upper hand.
"What exactly do you mean?"
"Walking through campus, it's hard to spot students wearing dress shoes. Most of them wear sneakers."
"They're at an age when dress shoes would feel uncomfortable."
"Wouldn't they put up with it if they felt dress shoes looked stylish? It's a time when they're keenly interested in the opposite sex, after all."
"So, you're saying sneakers look more stylish than dress shoes?"
"Yes. Not only do they look good, but they're also comfortable, so dress shoes inevitably lose ground."
But the president seemed to have a different opinion.
"As people get older, there comes a day when dress shoes will seem stylish to them."
"I already like dress shoes."
Naturally, his eyes drifted down to my feet.
"Ah, Alden."
"At first, they feel a bit stiff, but over time, the leather molds to my foot, creating beautiful creases. Eventually, these heavy shoes become incredibly comfortable, almost as if by magic."
Once more, he examined my shoes. It's not easy to maintain this level of color unless they've been meticulously cared for over time with a leather-specific wax. The president, who knew this better than anyone, quietly waited for my next words.
"But aside from me, most people wear sneakers. If even students at the Royal Academy are doing so, imagine how it is at other schools."
"…"
"Do you truly believe my generation will eventually seek out dress shoes?"
"Dress shoes are a form of etiquette. You can't wear sneakers to a funeral."
"That's what's so unfortunate."
In men's suits, black is a color practically reserved only for funerals. In a way, it's seen as attire worn solely for such occasions.
"My concern is that someday dress shoes might receive similar treatment."
"…?"
"People will wear sneakers day-to-day, and maybe at most, opt for dressier sneakers when they need to look presentable. Then, they'll only turn to dress shoes on those rare, unavoidable occasions—like the black suit that only sees the light of day after a bereavement notice."
The president looked at me as though he couldn't believe my words. But, unfortunately, people are creatures of comfort. From tuxedos down to T-shirts, clothing has continuously evolved to become simpler. Who could reverse that trend?
Anyway, it was time to get to the main point.
"There's still a way to address this—one that only John Green can undertake."
"This doesn't sound like something I'd want to hear."
"Of course not. It requires a reasonable compromise."
My request was twofold:
First, to not only stick to bespoke shoes but to create a ready-made line for students.
Second, to consider producing sneakers for those students who find dress shoes challenging.
Naturally…
Frown.
Another deep line appeared on the president's face.
"You're hitting on all the things I hate most."
"I know you've turned down similar requests from renowned luxury brands."
"Then what nerve do you have to make the same request, knowing you'll probably be rejected?"
"My purpose is different."
"Different purpose?"
"They likely offered you substantial profits. If profit is the goal, you should collaborate with luxury brands. But what I'm offering is quite modest."
"…?"
"It's more of a seed."
A seed not for me to harvest but one I'm sowing with sweat today for the next generation. As a business proposal, it might be worthless.
"But for John Green, who's held onto handcrafted shoes in an age of mass production, isn't prioritizing honor over profit all the more impactful?"
"This is a gift to the next generation—a way to pass on the value of traditional attire."
I wondered if my intentions had come across clearly.
Surprisingly, they did.
Gulp.
The president's Adam's apple moved more visibly than ever.
***
"Are you saying John Green is going to produce ready-made shoes?"
"Yes."
"Sneakers, too?"
"That's right."
Sir Lewis looked at me as if he couldn't believe it. Understandably so—it was unheard of for John Green, a company steeped in craftsmanship, to take such a different approach just for me. Believing it easily would indeed be unusual.
"Ji-hoon wouldn't lie, of course."
I nodded.
"What on earth happened?"
"I simply asked them to become a bridge between tradition and the new generation, just like that."
"And they accepted it right away?"
"Yes, thankfully."
Sir Lewis stared into my eyes for a moment. After a while, he spoke.
"What kind of magic did you use?"
"Magic? The real courageous decision was made by John Green's president."
With even humility added to the mix.
"Ha!"
Sir Lewis looked like he was at his wit's end.
"Is this a trade secret, perhaps?"
"There's really no secret to it."
"…"
Anyway.
"Does this suffice?"
"Suffice? What do you mean…?"
"Sincerity. The sincerity to embrace traditional attire while preparing for a new era."
There was nothing more to say.
Looking a bit embarrassed, Sir Lewis nodded quickly.