Chapter 1284 Joint
Chapter 1284 Joint
Chapter 1284 Joint
Bae Min-soo pushed open the glass door of the GUCCI Apgujeong flagship store, and a wave of cool air mixed with the scent of perfume hit her. She glanced around, her eyes sweeping over the latest seasonal products displayed on the first floor, and stopped a sales assistant hurrying past: "Where is the Yuan's Picks section?"
"Turn right on the second floor."
Before the sales assistant could finish speaking, Bae Min-soo had already quickly walked up the stairs in her newly purchased Princetown loafers.
Since GUCCI officially announced Ji Kyung-won as its global brand ambassador a few days ago, several GUCCI boutiques in Seoul have opened a special Yuan's Picks section. This section is said to feature clothing styles and fashion items personally selected by Ji Kyung-won, with both men's and women's styles available in limited quantities.
Putting everything else aside, the fact that "Chi Kyung-won personally selected it" is enough to generate a lot of buzz and instantly attract the attention of many fans and passersby.
I don't know about other places, but here on the peninsula, as soon as the news of this special zone opened, several boutiques were immediately packed with customers. Fans and customers flocked to the stores, many of whom wanted to see for themselves what Ji Kyung-won's taste was like, and also wanted to experience the feeling of 'Yuan personally helping them choose'.
Bae Min-soo has become increasingly popular online recently, and that's why she came here.
Upon reaching the second floor, before she even stepped over, she saw a large crowd already gathered there…
She had been to GUCCI many times and was considered a loyal customer, and this flagship store in Apgujeong was also the busiest... but she had never seen so many people before.
Although GUCCI is very popular in the peninsula, it is, after all, a luxury brand, and not many people can afford it... But at this moment, looking at the crowd of customers, she felt that this was not a GUCCI boutique, but a discount promotional carpet in Dongdaemun.
The internet was right, it's incredibly popular.
This area is quite large. As you approach, you see all kinds of posters of Chi Jingyuan, life-size standees, and video advertisements. Every place is crowded with customers. Among the crowd are middle-aged ladies dressed in luxurious clothes and young girls who look like students.
The scene inside the exhibition area was even more bustling. Just as the internet said, Chi Jingyuan did not select a large variety of products, but there were groups of people trying and asking questions about each one. The five sales assistants were surrounded by customers and were overwhelmed with their attention.
Bae Min-soo stood on tiptoe to peer inside and noticed that many of the items displayed in the section were well-known styles. The tiger-embroidered cardigan from the 2017 early autumn collection shimmered delicately under the lights, and the ribbon of the white Sylvie handbag was slightly wrinkled from being touched by countless hands. The most sought-after item was undoubtedly the tiger-faced watch, for which a long queue had already formed in front of the glass display case.
The printed sneakers that were all the rage last year are now just rare, single-piece items for display.
After looking around, she found that the styles of the individual items and clothing were quite to her liking, and she wanted to buy them all. Pei Minxiu couldn't help but admire her in her heart... As expected of Yuan.
"Wasn't it supposed to be a limited edition?"
"Don't be fooled by the fact that they're still on display; a lot of them are already sold out. Hurry up and don't waste your time. I've wanted those white sneakers for ages..."
A commotion arose nearby, and Pei Minxiu watched as two young women quickly squeezed past her.
Seeing this, Pei Minxiu couldn't help but feel a little anxious, and her pace quickened.
Although she wanted them all, her wallet couldn't hold them all, and many of them were already sold out.
Forty minutes later, she finally snagged the watch she wanted. The moment the metal strap touched her wrist, she suddenly understood why those wealthy women were willing to spend a fortune on a "Chi Kyung-won style" watch. As the tiger stripes on the dial shimmered under the light, it was as if one could glimpse the aesthetic soul of that top idol.
She couldn't wait to put it on, and happily took several selfies, selecting the best ones to post on her Instagram:
"#The fashion chosen by Yuan, I felt him holding my wrist!"
…………
Yuan's Picks section and some of its items quickly became a must-visit spot for young people on the peninsula. On Instagram, social media, and websites, you can see all kinds of photos being shared, as if not keeping up with this trend means falling behind in fashion.
However, this kind of model of setting up a special zone for artists is really rare nowadays, and it is indeed quite novel. It is very interesting to many passers-by, let alone Ji Kyung-won's fans.
While GUCCI is considered a high-end luxury brand, its prices are actually relatively lower compared to other brands like LV and Chanel, making it more affordable for a wider range of consumers.
While the internet was still buzzing with various trends and people were enthusiastically discussing the previously announced collaboration, GUCCI finally stopped keeping fans waiting and pulled out its trump card.
On September 7, GUCCI released an official press release:
To our valued customers:
We are delighted to announce that the limited-edition collaboration between global brand ambassador Yuan and Pokémon will officially launch on September 10th at select boutiques across Asia. This collaboration seamlessly blends GUCCI's signature luxurious aesthetic with the iconic Pokémon character.
This cross-dimensional collaboration originated from an inspirational dialogue between Chi Jingyuan and the brand's creative team. With the participation of our special ambassador @Th.Y in the design concept, the final focus was on two highly recognizable Pokémon characters, presenting two limited-edition themed series:
Eevee series: Based on soft colors, it is embroidered with Eevee's signature brown plush texture. Every detail exudes a sense of healing, as if turning Eevee's "adaptability" into daily companionship.
Product Image Showcase: Silk Twill Scarf
Ace Series Ibrahimovic Print Sneakers
GG Marmont Ebre Embroidered Handbag
Ibrahimovic Special Edition Pink Paw Pad Shoulder Bag
Gengar series: Showcasing a cool vibe under the lens, the collision of dark black and fluorescent purple creates a strong visual tension, and the double G logo and Gengar's classic grinning image form a fun echo.
Product images:
Dionysus Embossed Dionysus Bag
Ghost pattern knit sweater
Y Special Edition Leather Gloves
Gengar Embroidered Fisherman's Hat
Asia Exclusive Release Details:
All co-branded products will be available at select stores:
Seoul: GUCCI Apgujeong Flagship Store, Lotte World Boutique in Gangnam-gu, GUCCI Boutique in Yongsan-gu
Tokyo: GUCCI Ginza flagship store...
Shang Hai:......
Hong Kong Island: ...
Release date:
2017年9月10日上午10:00所有门店同步发售。
Purchase Notes: This sale is available through a reservation and queue system. Reservations must be made in advance through the GUCCI official website/app. VIP customers will have priority.
Alternatively, you can queue on-site without an appointment; purchases are limited per person, but stock is not guaranteed…
Many people initially didn't want to read this long announcement, but as they read it, their expressions gradually changed, as if they were seeing things, until their mouths grew wider and their eyes widened.
Especially when I saw those individual product images, my surprise and delight reached their peak uncontrollably.
Each collaborative product features a picture, and the model is always Chi Jingyuan himself. Everyone, whether they are luxury lovers, Pokémon fans, or people who appreciate good looks, or simply fans or casual observers, is captivated by the product.
Each image and each item has its own appeal. A silk twill scarf, bathed in soft light, features an Eevee silhouette embroidered with gold and silver threads against a creamy white background. The Ace series sneakers are even more stunning: the upper is made of creamy white suede, with an embroidered Eevee perched on the tongue, its round eyes adorned with black diamonds, and even the paw pads embroidered in a gradient pink.
The most eye-catching items are the two bags. The Dionysus bag has replaced the tiger head buckle with a Gengar relief. The purple-black gradient bag body has a pearlescent sheen, and its classic grinning expression is embroidered on the side. Its sharp teeth pierce the edge of the double G monogram, giving it a mischievous and cool vibe.
The Eevee Paw Pad Bag is a must-have for any girl's heart. The bag is made of soft pink plush leather with a matte finish, which looks very soft. The most alluring part is the enlarged paw pad print on the front. The gradient from light pink to dark pink is just like the real texture of Eevee's paw pad. Even the palm lines are replicated with a delicate embossing process, making you want to reach out and poke them.
Add to that cute, fluffy head... and you just want to put it in your bag and take it with you immediately.
The moment the joint announcement was released, social media platforms were like a dimensional bomb had been dropped on them:
"Ahhhhh, am I seeing things? It's a collaboration between GUCCI and Pokémon? That's incredibly extravagant!"
"Some people had guessed before that it was probably a collaboration with anime and manga. Chi Jingyuan's hobby is no secret, but there aren't many people who are good at Pokémon. Pokémon copyrights are very difficult to obtain. How did he manage to negotiate this? What is his background?"
"I looked through Chi Jingyuan's previous interviews, and he really loves Pokémon, especially Gengar. He wears Pokémon-themed clothes in many of his personal photoshoots, and I believe he was the one who brought that together."
"I declare this to be the strongest collaboration in history!"
"And it's obvious that this isn't just a simple collaboration with a brand name. Those items are clearly designed with a lot of care, okay? Every single one is so attractive, especially that 'Eevee Special Edition Pink Paw Pad Shoulder Bag' ahhh, it's so cute! Absolutely kiyo~!! The design is so adorable, I fell in love with it at first sight, I really want it, when will the price be announced? I wonder if I can even get my hands on one."
"This collaboration is already announced to be entirely limited edition, so I estimate that the stock will be limited and difficult to get. I have carefully examined each item, and the designs are all excellent. With the Yuan and Pokémon gimmick, I estimate that each one will be highly sought after and have great potential for appreciation. In particular, this 'Eevee bag' is truly stunning in design. It looks very sunny on men and very cute on women. I dare to predict that this bag will definitely be a super hit and an explosive item for women in Seoul's fashion scene for some time to come."
"I'll buy an Eevee paw pad bag at double the price in advance, or even triple the price if necessary."
"I feel like the person upstairs probably doesn't know the power of collaborations like Yuan & Pokémon. As someone working in the industry, do you know how shocked I was when I saw this news? In my experience, if the limited edition of this level of collaboration doesn't have a large production run, I estimate the private resale price will be at least ten times higher, especially for something like the Eevee bag, which is obviously a hot item. I estimate that even if you have the money, you might not be able to buy it."
"I have to work on the release day! Anyone in Seoul willing to help me snag one? Contact me..."
"Why are these the only stores in these few places that sell Xiba? Why don't they have them in Jeonju/Busan/Daegu/Kyoto/Hokkaido? This is blatant discrimination!!"
"Looking for someone to help me steal this!!"
.........
Following the announcement, the hashtags #GUCCI #Yuan and #Pokémon collaboration skyrocketed to the top of trending lists in multiple countries, generating over 500 million discussions within half an hour. Chi Jingyuan's name was also linked to hashtags related to Eevee and Gengar, immediately earning him the title of a 'dream collaboration'.
The teaser video for GUCCI went viral before, and many people were speculating about GUCCI's collaboration targets, which became a hot topic of discussion online.
However, now that it has been officially announced, the impact is even more terrifying than expected. At a time when collaborations are rare, the combination of GUCCI, Yuan, and Pokémon has generated an unimaginable level of popularity.
However, after a brief period of surprise and discussion, strong protests and dissatisfaction quickly erupted online.
Because this collaboration is only available in select stores in certain Asian cities, and the availability is limited to a few major cities, many people who want to buy it simply cannot, especially those in Europe and America, which seem to be completely unrelated to this event.
Even within Asia, the controversy and anger were very loud, and the scarcity of sales channels also sparked strong dissatisfaction. After the announcement of the collaboration, the attention, discussion and popularity were explosive, but the coverage area and influence of the sales event were pitifully small in comparison.
The vast disparity between the activity's reach and its explosive popularity is simply disproportionate.
Countless people are questioning the scope of GUCCI's activities, feeling that they are brainless and their considerations are completely flawed.
"Don't you know how popular this collaboration will be?"
Many people raised angry questions, and the outcry of dissatisfaction was equally strong.
But the people at GUCCI also had their own grievances... They had actually prepared quite a lot of stock, but they really didn't expect it to be so popular.
They hadn't collaborated much before, so who knew that Chi Jingyuan's collaboration would become so popular this time?
Moreover, limited edition luxury goods can't be too numerous, otherwise they become cheap!
However, in the areas covered by the joint sales, it was a different story altogether.
Less than five minutes after the announcement was released, the phone lines at the few GUCCI stores that had opened for reservations were already overwhelmed with calls, and the official reservation website crashed due to traffic overload and remained down for a long time, causing anxiety among VIPs who were eager to place their orders, and sparking another round of complaints.
When the website and phone service returned to normal, the enthusiastic customers received only one response: "Booked."
Xiba!
How long has it been?
While furiously smashing keyboards, consumers and the market have also come to the conclusion that GUCCI really didn't have much stock for this collaboration.
This limited edition is truly a limited edition!
The value of that goes without saying.
The allure of limited quantities meant that even though the stock was so scarce that it was impossible to order, the fans and customers, despite their anger, seemed to have gone even crazier.
If you can't pre-order online, you'll have to grab it offline.
As a result, in a very short period of time, a very sought-after and in-demand profession suddenly emerged in online communities in Seoul, Tokyo, and other places:
Robbery on behalf of someone else.
From any perspective, this is a wave of breaking down barriers between different social circles.
Soon, it was September 9th.
No update tomorrow, please take a day off.
(End of this chapter)
wavenovel