Chapter 535 Please take care of me in the future
The direct flight from Beijing to Paris takes about 10 hours. Gu Wei departed in the evening, rested overnight on the plane, and arrived early the next morning.
Celebrities are usually invited to watch fashion shows by brands, which is a win-win situation.
Every year during fashion week, when famous designers release new products, they will use various channels to invite celebrities from the fashion, sports, and art circles to come and watch the shows.
The organizers and participants worked together to make the fashion show a hot event that attracted the attention of the media and the public. The brand's new clothing was promoted, and the celebrities who came to participate also made a name for themselves and established good relationships with the brands, while also demonstrating their status in the fashion industry.
So far, there are many fashion weeks of all sizes in the world, but the ones recognized as the most high-end and influential are Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week.
Just like many celebrities in the past who would walk the red carpet at famous film festivals, since major fashion weeks bring together many international fashion brands and luxury brands, and are focused on by various media outlets, many lesser-known celebrities and entertainers now get tickets to the shows through various channels, take some photos of the shows and send them back to China, buy publicity for the shows, and use it to help boost their profile.
Another purpose for celebrities to attend fashion shows is to gain the favor of brands.
Some celebrities hope to get endorsements from high-end luxury brands, but they are not famous enough or fashionable enough. To put it bluntly, they are not favored by the brands.
So they will first discuss becoming a brand friend. Usually, this kind of title will not be rejected as long as the celebrity's tone is not too different from the brand's products.
Because the so-called brand friends are not spokespersons, but free tools.
It is equivalent to a celebrity borrowing a brand's products to take photos. The celebrity's publicity is unpaid, and there are no free products to use. The brand completely takes advantage of the celebrity's popularity to promote its products for free.
The only benefit that celebrities get is that they can borrow the latest products, so that they can improve their level by relying on big brands.
Another thing is to gain the favor of the brand.
It sounds like celebrities are "suck-ups", and actually they are.
The relationship between a brand and a celebrity spokesperson is no different from a relationship between a man and a woman.
A good woman is sought after by all families, and a tall, rich and handsome man will never lack a girlfriend.
High-end luxury brands are like beautiful women. The number of spokespersons is limited, so the competition among celebrities is naturally fierce.
Some rich and handsome people like Gu Wei may be actively pursued by others, while others have limited resources and rely on actively building good relationships to "lick" others, hoping to get the endorsement in the end.
Of course, there are many stars who "lick", some have everything, and some have nothing.
After coming out of the airport, LV staff came to pick them up, and Gu Wei and his group first settled down in the hotel.
Watching the show was only one of the reasons for his trip to Paris.
Gu Wei signed an endorsement contract with LV in 2015. Now two years have passed and the contract is about to expire.
This time I came here to discuss the renewal of the endorsement contract with LV.
In the two years since Gu Wei became the global spokesperson for LV, sales in the Asian region have skyrocketed, especially in Greater China, where sales have increased by 46% year-on-year. The sales of a single brand in China have accounted for more than 39% of LV's global sales, and this proportion is still rising.
This kind of rapid growth is something LV has never experienced in the past decade.
Of course, in addition to Gu Wei's personal influence, the rapid development of the domestic economy in the past decade and the continuous increase in people's consumption level are also one of the reasons why luxury brands such as LV are selling well.
Knowing this, international luxury brands are now paying more and more attention to the Chinese market, and it is easier for many domestic celebrities to get endorsements for big-name products than before.
LV is 100% willing to renew the contract with Gu Wei. After all, for them, the benefits brought to LV by Gu Wei as a brand spokesperson are too great, and no one is willing to give up.
Once a person is replaced, if sales performance declines next year or the growth rate is not as high as it is now, no one is willing to take responsibility.
However, the two parties still need to discuss details such as the specific endorsement period, fees, some endorsement requirements for Gu Wei in the contract, and the intensity of LV's global offline promotion.
Gu Wei doesn't need to worry about these things, as there is a professional team to check them for him. He only needs to watch shows, attend banquets, chat with LV's senior management and build relationships, and the team will naturally take care of the rest.
Because Gu Wei's endorsement of LV is about to expire, similar brands such as GUCCI and Dior are also in contact with him.
And what’s interesting is that Dior and LV actually belong to the same Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton Group, which is considered to be two subsidiaries of the LVMH Group.
But even so, everyone will not be polite when it comes to competition.
With competitors, Gu Wei has more advantages during negotiations.
"Gu, nice to see you again. You're still as handsome as ever. I heard you were chosen as the world's most handsome man last year. You absolutely deserve the title."
After settling in the hotel, Gu Wei first met with LV executives, his old friend, creative director Nicolas Ghesquière.
"The selection process is based on fan voting. Aesthetics vary from person to person, and it's impossible for anyone to satisfy everyone."
Gu Wei hugged Nicholas gently and said modestly.
"Oh~ no no no, I remember the media's evaluation of you at the time was - the man who unified Eastern and Western aesthetics, I don't think it's an exaggeration at all.
This face is absolutely God’s most perfect work.”
Nicholas's tone and expression are exaggerated, and it seems that all designers in the fashion industry like to speak in this tone.
Gu Wei smiled and didn't refute.
The two chatted for a few minutes, and Nicholas tried to tell Gu Wei about the design concept of LV's new products at this season's Spring/Summer Fashion Week.
Gu Wei nodded repeatedly with a perfunctory smile on his face.
"Gu, Nicholas."
While the creative director was still talking, Michael Burke, the current CEO of LV, walked over with a neat suit and a meticulous hairstyle.
He was accompanied by a blonde, blue-eyed white woman wearing a low-cut evening gown.
"Mr. Michael, it's nice to meet you again."
Gu Wei turned around and greeted the president of LV, then looked at the beautiful woman next to him.
"Ms. Scarlett, long time no see."
This person is none other than the internationally renowned Hollywood superstar, the famous "Black Widow" Scarlett Johansson.
When Gu Wei was filming "Detective Chinatown 2" in New York, he was on a date with Olsen and met her unexpectedly. The two got to know each other through Olsen's introduction.
"It's been a long time indeed. I didn't expect you still remember me, Gu Wei."
Scarlett looked at Gu Wei with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, his sexy red lips were tender and tempting, and his eyes seemed to contain endless secrets, which made people want to explore.
Her facial features are particularly delicate, making her unique even in Hollywood, where there are beauties everywhere. Coupled with her voluptuous figure, the word "sexy" is embodied to the greatest extent in her.
“Do you know each other?
Oh, this is perfect!" Michael was a little surprised that the two knew each other.
"Gu~Scarlett is LV's newest partner and, like you, a global spokesperson. You two must work together well. I believe that with your support, LV will surely achieve even greater success in the future."
Although Gu Wei's contract renewal has not yet been finalized, the two sides have actually reached a rough agreement, but some detailed terms are still being discussed, so there is nothing wrong with Michael saying this.
"Gu~ I'm new here, so I'll need your care in the future."
Scarlett smiled and stretched out her hand to Gu Wei, and the two shook hands gently.
He didn't know if it was an illusion, but when Gu Wei let go of the other person's hand, the other person's fingers lightly stroked his palm.
Looking at Scarlett's beautiful face that remained unchanged, Gu Wei said politely, "It's not really about taking care of her, but everyone should cooperate with each other."
The four of them chatted for a while longer, mainly LV's CEO Michael and creative director Nicholas talking to Gu Wei. Scarlett was like a beautiful vase, standing aside with a smile and not interrupting.
"Did Mr. Bernard come to Paris this year?"
Gu Wei was deeply impressed by the "godfather of fashion" he met at the last London Fashion Week.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Bernard has not been in good health recently and is recuperating at home." Michael shook his head.
"Gu~Are you really not considering being the finale of the LV fashion show? With your figure, you're sure to stun everyone!"
Nicholas is still trying to persuade Gu Wei.
This year's LV show is the finale of Fashion Week, and he plans to have Gu Wei wear the latest clothing to make his final appearance on the LV show stage, which he believes will definitely surprise everyone!
Nicholas thought that Gu Wei's body proportions were extremely perfect and he was the best clothes rack. It would be a waste if he didn't walk the catwalk as a model.
"Professional matters should be left to professionals. As a spokesperson, I have my own job to do."
Gu Wei shook his head and still refused.
He always believed that less is worse than more. Wouldn't it be nice to just sit and watch the show? He wasn't a model, so there was nothing he could do on stage.
Even if he does well, it won't bring him much fame, but if he doesn't do well, he will be ridiculed, which is a thankless task.
“What a shame.”
Nicholas shook his head with a look of regret.
He didn't think too much about it. He was just standing from the perspective of a fashion designer, hoping to achieve the best effect for the show.
But since Gu Wei refused, he gave up the idea.
The other party is not some other small star. They have an equal cooperative relationship with LV, and matters outside the contract can only be negotiated.
(End of this chapter)
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