The ins and outs of the matter weren't overly complex.
The Golden Globe Awards ceremony was on the horizon, and Renly had been nominated once again. Furthermore, "Buried" was continuing its smooth expansion in theaters, making it a crucial opportunity for Andy to capitalize on to enhance Renly's recognition and popularity.
However, Renly had been immersed in the intensive filming of "Fast 5". After its completion, he had taken a vacation in Hawaii. He hadn't even had time to measure his detailed measurements, let alone choose outfits. This was undoubtedly a headache.
Andy took a two-pronged approach. On one hand, he contacted a stylist currently on the A-list, determined to avoid a situation like the one with Melvin Bradess at the Emmy Awards. On the other hand, he reached out to various major fashion brands, seeking sponsorship for Renly to provide his red carpet attire for free.
This was no easy task.
The worlds of fashion and film were arenas of fame and reputation, constantly illuminated by flashing lights. Their attitudes were clear-cut, and they showed little enthusiasm for newcomers like Renly, whose achievements were still limited.
In recent times, Renly's rise had indeed been meteoric, with two Golden Globe nominations stealing the spotlight. However, strictly speaking, Renly had only been in the public eye for less than a year. The Golden Globe nominations weren't the Oscars, and, more importantly, the return on investment for men's clothing sponsorship paled in comparison to that for women's.
Of course, there were some brands that showed interest in Renly, but most of them were second-tier brands or unknown independent ones. Not a single top-tier brand showed any interest. Even Burberry politely declined Andy's inquiry. After all, Renly had worn Burberry for the Emmy Awards red carpet. Yet, for such prestigious brands, there was simply no added value.
Andy shifted his focus to stylists.
Stylists were much like agents, simultaneously managing several artists' clothing and styling needs. Their extensive network could provide access to more clothing resources. A top-tier stylist's salary could even surpass that of an agent, since they could earn a percentage from both the brands and the artists.
However, choosing a stylist was an incredibly difficult task.
Well-known stylists were either too proud and picky, uninterested in working with newcomers, or they were too occupied with existing clients and didn't have the time to take on new artists. Lesser-known stylists lacked sufficient recognition in terms of their capabilities. Each stylist had their unique style and characteristics, making it even more challenging to find one that could synergize with an artist. This was far more difficult than selecting a script.
Eaton entered Andy's line of sight in this context, offering his services and expressing his willingness to craft Renly's look.
Andy checked Eaton's background and discovered that he had been in the industry for less than a year and had no noteworthy styling works to his name. However, Eaton's résumé was impressive. Hailing from Savile Row, he graduated from the London College of Art. During his time as a student, he had worked as a buyer for Harrods for nearly two years. He had a considerable network in the four major fashion weeks. After transitioning to a stylist, he had cooperated with several fashion magazines. Although he hadn't been a permanent stylist for any specific artist, his accomplishments had gained a certain level of recognition.
What impressed Andy most was Eaton's Savile Row background.
Renly's previous showdown with Melvin had left a profound impression on Andy due to his research and professionalism in suits. Thus, Andy decided to give Eaton a chance, and also to give Renly an opportunity. He wanted to see if they could spark off each other. Compared to the Oscars, the Golden Globes had a higher margin for error, making it a testing ground for their collaboration.
And so, today's meeting came to be. Andy had rushed over to New York almost immediately, but Renly had taken his time to wander around the city, leaving Andy somewhat amused and exasperated.
However, what Andy hadn't expected was that Renly and Eaton already knew each other. This once again ignited Andy's curiosity about Renly's background.
"You're customizing a look for Renly?" Matthew's gaze fell calmly on Eaton. He seemed to be making an unobtrusive assessment, but his subtly critical gaze was evident.
Evidently, Matthew was evaluating Eaton's attire, which was fashionable, avant-garde, and unique, but not quite suitable for Renly.
"You're still the same as before," Eaton responded nonchalantly. He chuckled, unbothered. "We're not in court now, Mr. Dunlop." Eaton intentionally emphasized the word "Mr."
In accordance with protocol, both Matthew and Renly were to be addressed using the honorific "Your Excellency". This was true for Andrew as well, as he was addressed as "Lord". However, since they were peers of the same age and not part of London's upper echelons of society, the titles were relatively relaxed.
"If it's for Renly, his style certainly can't be like this. Moreover, this is the Golden Globe Awards red carpet, not London Fashion Week. I'm a bold person, but I'm not a madman. When it comes to madness, who can rival Renly?" Eaton's voice remained light and cheerful, carrying a sunny aura that was contagious, making others involuntarily smile.
"Are you talking about Renly?" Andy wore an expression of confusion. "Renly" and "madness" were two words that didn't quite connect.
Both Matthew and Eaton looked at Renly, their smiles not yet verbalized. Renly spread his hands, saying, "Rumors end with wise men." There was no need for further explanation, just a hint of playful mockery that brought a chuckle to those around.
"Then, what's your plan? Are there any specific considerations for the Golden Globe Awards red carpet?" Renly turned to Eaton.
Although they were old acquaintances, their contact had dwindled after university, as both had been focused on their respective careers. Thus, Renly's knowledge of Eaton's skills, style, and taste was rather limited. While they were friends, work was work. Renly didn't intend to appear on the Golden Globe Awards red carpet wearing a bright red suit.
Eaton shrugged. "I wasn't sure when you'd be back, so I made appointments with a few brands in advance to have them deliver the outfits to my hotel room." Eaton furrowed his brow and quipped, "I've only been in New York for less than a week, and I haven't even had time to find proper lodging. The hotel room is a bit cliché, but I'll just make do."
"Just before I left the hotel, Alexander Wang and Tom Ford said that if they had time, they'd come take a look. Christopher is in Los Angeles now, but he'll be sending an assistant." Eaton's speech was rapid, spewing out a torrent of information.
"Hold on." Andy felt like he was struggling to keep up.
"Alexander was, in the past five years, the most sought-after designer in New York. His modern minimalist design style had garnered widespread acclaim in the market. As for Tom, there's no need to say much. Single-handedly saving Gucci, he went on to establish a brand under his own name, solidly securing a place among top-tier brands.
"Christopher, which Christopher?" A corresponding name flickered through Andy's mind, but he needed to confirm.
"Bailey. Christopher Bailey," Eaton succinctly responded.
Christopher Bailey, Burberry's Chief Creative Officer. After taking over Burberry in 1997, he revived the century-old brand that was on its last legs and outdated, not only giving it a second life but also surpassing its golden age of the last century, ushering in an era of glory.
Just a week ago, Burberry had politely declined the proposal to sponsor Renly. But now, Eaton had once again brought Burberry before Renly.
Andy indeed felt somewhat surprised. Considering Eaton's background and work history, he suddenly realized that things might not be so straightforward. To outsiders, the British aristocracy remained enigmatic due to their intricate and complex network of connections. Though Andy knew that Savile Row had a close relationship with the royal family and was one of the finest locations for bespoke tailoring, he was just barely scratching the surface.
He had assumed that Eaton was still young, having only spent three years rolling in the fashion industry. However, it was clear that he might have underestimated him.
Andy only knew a part, not the whole. While Eaton's Savile Row background was undoubtedly significant, what was more important was his education at Dragon School and Eton College.
Someone had once inquired why fraternities in British universities were so important. The answer was simple: networking.
Take the case of David Cameron for instance, born into an upper-middle-class family in London. His father had been a stockbroker and his mother the daughter of a baronet. His family hailed from Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, direct descendants of King William IV and his mistress. They had a long history in the British financial sector, with several ancestors working as stockbrokers or in financial investments.
During his university years, he attended Oxford University and, leveraging his family's substantial background, joined the Bullingdon Club. After graduating, the fraternity members dispersed into various industries and fields, watching out for each other and laying a solid foundation for his political career. He later became the youngest Prime Minister since Robert Banks Jenkinson in 1812.
The 2014 movie "The Riot Club" was based on the Bullingdon Club.
In Britain, the so-called fraternity network wasn't built during university—it started accumulating from primary school. Students like Renly, Andrew, Eaton, Matthew, and others around him numbered around six hundred. Now they were gradually entering society, placed in positions according to their family's arrangements, and playing larger roles.
Renly had uniquely deviated from London. If he followed the family plan, seeking an important position in the finance sector wouldn't be difficult. He, too, was a cog in the networking wheel.
"Since it's dinner time, how about we head to the hotel's restaurant for a meal? We can preliminarily exchange ideas and then begin work. What do you think?" Eaton appeared young, but his methods were straightforward and effective. It was evident that the polishing of the past few years was bearing fruit.
Andy nodded. "That would be ideal."
Actresses needed at least three months in advance to prepare their evening gowns, while actors could afford a slightly shorter period, around a month. With just half a month left until the Golden Globe Awards ceremony, every second was critical.