Chapter 137: New Clothes, New Emperor
[Chapter 137: New Clothes, New Emperor]
New York, High Line Park.
"Is that Halle Berry?" Karlie Kloss asked Ryan, standing next to him.
"Maybe," Ryan replied, looking at the familiar silhouette of short black hair in the distance, but he wasn't entirely sure.
Ryan and Karlie strolled side by side, a photographer walking alongside them, snapping photos like crazy, flashes going nonstop. Following just behind was Fizz, subtly gesturing to Karlie that she should link her arm with Ryan's.
"Do you think Taylor will be upset if she sees us?" Karlie asked cautiously.
"She's not as possessive as you think. It's just an arm around the shoulder, not like we're getting into bed together," Ryan casually commented.
At the mention of the word "bed," Karlie's cheeks flushed slightly, and Ryan remembered she had just turned sixteen a few months prior. But if most people stood next to her, they would likely exclaim, "Is this girl really sixteen?"
After all, she was wearing slightly elevated shoes and was tall, making her appear taller than Ryan, a definite show stopper.
Ryan raised his arm, and Karlie's fingers slipped through the crook of his elbow, gently hooking it.
"I still haven't properly thanked you for getting me in touch with the Tin Tin band," she said quietly while posing for photos with the photographer.
As they continued walking towards the striking geometric architecture of the event venue, they spotted other well-known figures like Eva Mendes, Naomi Watts, and Claire Danes. Ryan and Karlie didn't know them, so they didn't bother trying to chat.
This was Ryan's first event like this, and he felt the setup was elaborate, with over ten thousand white roses flown in from Ecuador, the path lined with soil, bright moss, and crushed blue stones.
They went directly into the venue and took their seats. Perhaps feeling a little bored before the fashion show started, Karlie initiated a light conversation.
"Why aren't you on the runway?" Ryan asked.
"Today, it's men's fashion," Karlie replied, looking a bit surprised.
She was wearing a long dress, and though she seemed a bit reserved, her figure and poise rivaled any top supermodel, especially with her freshly styled voluminous waves and slightly mature makeup. Overall, she exuded femininity.
The so-called "high fashion" often tried to present women in a sensual way, but Ryan preferred Karlie's look today. As for Ryan, he stuck to wearing his own brand's clothing even for the occasion.
Karlie spoke softly throughout, aware that today she was a minor figure in the event.
During their chat, Ryan noticed the Olsen sisters also arrived. He waved at them as they approached.
...
Just then, a commotion erupted in the venue, signaling that a VIP guest had arrived.
The 65-year-old Calvin Klein appeared alongside Anna Wintour. The former was the designer behind the CK brand, and the latter, with her signature bob haircut, sunglasses, and slightly hunched posture, commanded attention.
Almost all the celebrities, designers, and media personalities instinctively moved closer to Anna Wintour.
Ryan and Karlie stayed seated.
"Should we go over there?" Karlie whispered.
"Don't try to steal the spotlight," Ryan shrugged, already thinking about the CK ad shoot after.
"Ryan... Anna Wintour and Calvin Klein are coming over!" Karlie nudged him gently.
Ryan looked up just in time to see them pass by. The famous "fashion goddess" tilted her head slightly in his direction. Given her shades, he couldn't tell if she was looking at him or someone else.
In the next second, Anna stopped, pointed at Ryan, and leaned in to whisper to Calvin. They seemed to be discussing him.
Ryan felt a rush of anxiety wash over him as he noticed everyone's gaze focused on him.
"Come here," Anna Wintour beckoned, her gesture reminiscent of a grandmother calling a grandchild.
Glancing around to confirm it was indeed him, he slowly got up and walked over to them.
During this time, Anna removed her sunglasses and scrutinized Ryan, something she hadn't done before this year.
"Did Anna really take off her sunglasses?!"
"Who is that?"
"Ryan Rivers, the DJ."
"Quick, take a photo!"
"Prepare to interview him!"
As Ryan approached, he overheard media personnel whispering around him. is it so absurd that Anna Wintour had taken off her sunglasses?
"Are you here to DJ?" Anna Wintour asked, her voice warm, contrary to the icy demeanor some might expect.
"No," Ryan shook his head.
Anna circled around him, taking in Ryan's layered street style. She seemed intrigued enough to go around him again, this time more slowly.
"She smiled! Anna smiled!"
"No way! She actually smiled!"
Nearby fashion editors clutched their heads in disbelief. Anyone under forty in the room had never witnessed Anna smile like that at anyone's outfit before.
"Did you bring Raf Simons on board as your stylist?" Calvin Klein asked from his spot, still bending to examine Ryan's outfit closely.
"I don't know him; I designed this outfit myself," Ryan responded casually.
Anna raised an eyebrow, appearing genuinely surprised.
"Wait, you designed this yourself?" she confirmed.
"Yep, want to see the sketches if you don't believe me?" Ryan offered.
At that moment, the Olsen sisters weaved through the crowd to join Ryan.
"This is definitely Ryan's own design collection."
"Currently sold as a sub-label of THE ROW."
Each sister echoed their point, their endorsement enough to verify Ryan's claims. The atmosphere suddenly buzzed with excitement, as people pulled out their phones to make calls and snap pictures of Ryan.
"Unbelievable... just unbelievable," Anna Wintour kept shaking her head.
"Young man, have you considered entering the fashion industry?" Anna began to scrutinize Ryan's face, more than just his outfit this time.
Ryan noticed her face was lined with wrinkles; she wasn't young anymore.
"Absolutely, I'm open to trying new fields," Ryan quickly replied.
"Great," Anna Wintour smiled approvingly.
"If you ever find yourself in need, don't hesitate to reach out to me," she instructed her assistant to give Ryan her business card.
This only added to the astonishment of the onlookers. Anna had never proactively given her card to a designer before, and her offer for help indicated that if a young designer caught Anna's eye, they would likely become the head of a major fashion group or luxury brand in no time.
To be noticed by Anna Wintour was akin to being acknowledged by the entire fashion world.
"Also, do you have time for January's cover of VOGUE?" Anna Wintour continued.
If Anna Wintour was making this request, it meant it would be for the American cover.
"I should be available." Despite the excitement around him, Ryan remained calm.
Great, staying composed. Anna couldn't help but regard him with even more respect.
...
Meanwhile, Calvin Klein whispered to his assistant a couple of commands, and soon, Rod Manley, who had met Ryan earlier, approached swiftly.
"He's been signed as the global ambassador for the men's underwear line," Rod reported immediately.
"Let's increase that. Make him the global brand ambassador and men's creative director tonight," Calvin Klein instructed, eager to secure Ryan's talent.
"Can he design?" Rod murmured.
"Whether he can design or not is secondary; the important thing is that he's the creative director!" Calvin Klein insisted.
...
Due to Anna Wintour's unexpected reaction, Ryan transitioned from being a casual attendee to the center of attention, but the fashion show still had to continue.
And the grand finale on the runway was Ryan, who had previously sat in the audience, as Rod Manley had rushed over to invite him.
Since he was the client after all and had experience in catwalks, Ryan chose to temporarily guest-star as a CK menswear model.
The entire audience stood, applauding collectively, their expressions ecstatic as if CK had been launched by Ryan himself.
Ryan spotted Fizz on the edge of the crowd, looking as thrilled as someone who had just hit the jackpot.
He suddenly recalled Fizz's mention in the elevator about "the emperor's new clothes."
Could it be? Am I the emperor after all?
*****
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