Every February, major fashion brands hold fall and winter fashion shows in New York, marking the New York Fashion Week, one of the four global fashion weeks.
According to statistics, the 2002 New York Fashion Week featured 230 shows in one week, with over 160 fashion companies participating, attracting more than 200,000 attendees.
This event is a grand party for the fashion industry and a lucrative opportunity for models. Many famous supermodels make their fortune and build their reputations during these fashion weeks.
Luca, also a model and a spokesperson for Armani, received numerous invitations during this fashion week, including from top brands like Kenneth Cole, H&M, and Hugo Boss.
When Ed first received these invitations, he planned to reject them. His goal was Hollywood, and he didn't want to spend time in the fashion world.
He intended for Luca to finish shooting a commercial and immediately head to auditions for film roles, aiming to establish himself in the entertainment industry as soon as possible.
However, after seeing the offers from these brands, he hesitated.
This time, the pay wasn't a mere few thousand dollars. It was based on top-model rates: $20,000 per show, which meant Luca could earn $200,000 from ten shows.
Ed carefully calculated that in just five days, Luca could make $180,000.
"That's too good to pass up!"
Ed shared the news with Luca.
Luca considered it: $20,000 per show, which means $20 for every step taken. It felt like free money. Why not agree?
Acting in Hollywood might pay $1,000 for a day's work, and he'd have to endure grueling conditions. The comparison wasn't even close.
Ed sighed and delayed his plans for Hollywood, instead focusing on organizing Luca's participation in fashion week.
Yesterday, Luca walked in two shows: one for Armani suits and another for HUGO BOSS furs. Today, he had another for Calvin Klein in the afternoon.
In the evening, Luca drove to Bryant Park.
This park, built to honor the famous poet William Cullen Bryant, has no relation to Kobe Bryant.
Bryant Park is located in the heart of Manhattan. Compared to the bustling business district around it, the park is peaceful and elegant, often called an oasis amid the noise.
The park hosts a series of popular annual events, including outdoor movie screenings, large concerts, and fashion shows.
Since 1993, it has been the site of New York's Fall/Winter Fashion Week.
The organizers set up large white tents in the open space, with runways inside the tents.
Each tent showcases a different brand's collection, and only invited buyers, industry insiders, media, and celebrities are allowed in.
Models are the tools through which brands present their fashion to buyers, the media, and industry insiders. Top models are the best of these tools.
Today, Luca came to serve as one of these tools.
He parked his car outside the public library, crossed the bustling crowd, and arrived at a white tent in the center. A sign for the "Calvin Klein Show" was prominently displayed at the entrance.
"Luca, over here!"
Ed waved from a distance.
"Ed, you don't have to wait outside for me every time. It makes me feel guilty," Luca joked.
"Guilty? You? You never show up on time for these shows, always arriving later than the other supermodels. Do you know what people in the industry are saying about you?"
Luca smiled lightly. "What could they say? That I'm arrogant? Unprofessional? Bad-tempered? What else?"
"Isn't that enough?"
Ed stopped walking, clearly irritated. "There were rumors going around recently about how difficult you are to work with. The company and I were planning to handle the PR for you, but then you go and prove them right by being arrogant and unprofessional!"
Ed glared at him. "Sometimes I wonder if you're secretly working for the enemy."
Luca was taken aback. Was he being called a traitor? After thinking for a moment, it did seem a little like that.
Luca smirked slightly and sighed, "Ed, did you forget our goal again? We're aiming for Hollywood, not the fashion world. We don't need to waste too much energy here."
"I…"
"Remember, Ed, stay focused on the goal. Why do I always have to remind you?"
"You!"
Ed clenched his teeth. He was the one scolding Luca, yet somehow Luca was lecturing him now. What a situation.
Before Ed could speak again, Luca cut him off, "Ed, you keep talking about auditions. How many are lined up?"
Ed frowned and let out a small grunt, "Three. One TV show and two movies."
"A TV show?"
Luca thought for a moment. "Filming a TV show takes too long. A whole year for one season, and if the ratings are good, they'll make sequels. It's too much hassle. Let's just focus on the movies. What are they?"
Ed scratched his curly hair in frustration. Other actors would kill for these opportunities, but Luca was already being picky.
Sighing, Ed explained, "Two movies. One is 'Under the Tuscan Sun' from Touchstone Pictures, and the other is 'Underworld' from Lakeshore Entertainment. Both are lead roles."
"These two?"
Luca recalled the details of both films. They were decent. The first was a drama, and the second was a commercial action film. Both performed well at the box office.
However, both films were led by strong female protagonists, with the male lead being more of a supporting, decorative role, offering little opportunity to showcase his acting skills.
"You've got something to say?"
Ed frowned. They hadn't even started the auditions yet, and Luca was already displeased. How could a picky actor like him make it in Hollywood?
"Ed, I have no objections. Both sound good. I'll give them a try!"
"Settled then!"
Ed nodded with satisfaction and pointed to the makeup room. "Go get ready!"
"Alright!"
As Luca reached the door of the makeup room, he paused. "The makeup artist in there isn't Tony, right?"
Ed chuckled, "No, I heard Tony went off with a film crew to Hollywood."
"Smart choice."
Luca smiled and walked in.
The makeup artist wasn't Tony, but a man even more flamboyant, with a heavy perfume and mediocre makeup skills.
Luca couldn't help but miss Tony.
Tony may have had a bad reputation, but his makeup skills were exceptional. When Tony worked on him, Luca could just relax with his eyes closed, and when he opened them, he'd be ready to shine on stage.
This new guy didn't even compare.
After his makeup was done, Luca headed to the dressing area.
He had rehearsed here last night and was familiar with the layout.
There were over 20 male models in the dressing area, all top models and supermodels. Among them was last year's highest-paid male model, Noah Mills, a seasoned veteran in his thirties and Calvin Klein's go-to male model and current spokesperson.
However, rumors had it that due to his age, CK was looking to replace him with a younger face and might not renew his contract.
So, the male models were all taking this show seriously, creating a tense atmosphere backstage.
Luca, however, wasn't concerned. He found two assistants to help him change while he sat on a bench, texting Kate and Lima to report his progress.
Both Kate and Lima were also in the park, walking in other shows, which made Luca feel much more at ease.
Suddenly, the strong scent of perfume wafted through the air. The fragrance was a mix of musk, hawthorn, green apple, and vanilla. It smelled quite pleasant.
But the person spraying the perfume went overboard and sprayed it on Luca's head.
"Hey, watch it!"
Luca looked up and frowned. "It's you?"
The person spraying the perfume was none other than the bearded Ben Hill, someone Luca hadn't seen in a while.
Last time, after being kicked out by Luca, Ben Hill had spread rumors, claiming Luca was difficult to work with, arrogant, and unprofessional.
Thanks to Ben's gossip, Luca's reputation in the industry had grown, though mostly for the wrong reasons.
"Hmph."
Ben shot him a cold glance and walked off.
Luca raised an eyebrow. Was that supposed to be a challenge? How childish!
He didn't pay it any mind. The show was about to start, so he focused on adjusting his outfit—a military-style ensemble made from denim.
Military-inspired fashion was CK's focus this year.
His look featured dark brown combat boots, large utility pockets on the jacket and pants, detailed zipper pockets, metal buttons, and a sharp, well-fitted shirt. The denim added a casual, free-spirited vibe to the outfit, while the military influence gave it a cool, edgy sex appeal. Together, the combination highlighted masculinity.
Luca admired his reflection in the mirror. The outfit worked well, showing off his long legs, firm backside, and V-shaped torso.
"Kevin, who's the most handsome model in this show?" Luca struck a cool pose, chin raised.
His assistant Kevin glanced at him, silent.
Swoosh!
A crisp green bill was waved in front of him.
Kevin snatched the money and cheerfully responded, "Luca Kelly, of course, you're the most handsome and coolest model here!"
"Hmph!"
Annoyed grunts came from nearby.
"Luca, that's enough!"
Ed walked in with a dark expression. As if being annoying wasn't bad enough, now Luca's buying his own hype? Is he trying to get himself kicked out of the fashion circle?
Luca shrugged his stylish shoulders and sighed deeply in front of the mirror, "Magic mirror, oh magic mirror—"
"Shut up!"
"Alright, everyone! The fashion show is about to begin, get ready to go onstage!"
The event director shouted a few times from the center.
All the models gathered in the middle, lining up in the same order as yesterday's rehearsal. Twenty-eight models formed a straight, snake-like formation.
Crawling in my skin
These wounds, they will not heal
Fear is how I fall
Confusing what is real
The music started playing.
After the female models took the stage, Noah Mills led the group, with Luca in the twelfth spot.
"Luca, you're up next!"
One of the staff called out.
Luca nodded and, keeping time with the music, strutted coolly onto the runway.
"Hmph, hmph~"
Watching Luca's back, Ben Hill let out a cold smirk. "Show off all you want today, let's see how far it gets you."
(End of Chapter)