episode_0135

My bombshell declaration left the employees quite perplexed, and they were speechless for a while.

“W, why is everyone like this…?”

“W-well… there are things like that…”

Of course, some people like Walter and Elin, who didn’t fully grasp the meaning, were innocently oblivious, but those who knew what was going on were all clutching their foreheads with serious expressions.

It was Elizabeth, who had been quietly listening, who broke the silence that had lasted for nearly ten minutes.

“William.”

“Yes?”

“What made you think that way?”

Elizabeth seemed to have a rough idea of why I had made this decision, and although she didn’t seem particularly curious, she took the initiative for the sake of the employees and asked what they might be wondering about.

“Hmm… shall we talk a bit about the ecosystem of the clothing design industry?”

“Ecosystem?”

“Generally, this industry is a place where copying is very common. They don’t copy trademarks or unique patterns, but they copy as much as they can.”

“Ah… I see, the dresses that are popular among young ladies are worn by everyone within a year or two.”

“That’s right.”

“But… what does that have to do with Duke Howard’s decision…?”

“That’s because it’s very difficult to prove plagiarism in this industry.”

“Difficult…?”

Prince Herbert and Lady Fanny frowned and tilted their heads in opposite directions.

“That’s because clothing has been essential to human life for too long.”

“Ah…!”

Clothing has been an element that has been with human society since ancient times, so there are already too many things that existed long ago to show off something original.

Therefore, it is risky to accuse someone of plagiarism just because the shape of the clothes is similar, as even the person who created it could be accused of plagiarism.

Even among the things I’ve made, there are many that are hard to call original designs even in this world.

The girdles I made with Herbert and Fanny?

Only the material is unique, but the silhouette and design itself are derivatives of corsets.

As for panties, it’s ridiculous to insist that a triangular piece of cloth is a unique design.

Baby dolls are thin and loose negligee or chemise.

The only design that can be said to be distinctive is the bra, but the problem is that even this can be nitpicked if someone wants to.

In other words, in clothing design, it is difficult to object even if someone blatantly copies you.

Therefore, many designers and ateliers try to secure originality by engraving their own unique design patterns or trademarks on their clothes.

It is unavoidable that the silhouette of the clothes is similar, but if the embroidery, the shape of the added fabric, or the lines of the trademark or sewing lines are the same, reasonable suspicion is possible.

Our atelier also authenticates its products by embroidering the atelier’s name and a deformed cute fairy girl in a part that is not easily visible.

However, no matter how much effort we put in, except for the marks we engrave for authentication, our atelier’s designs will eventually be ripped off by others.

And with only a slight modification, we can’t really complain.

That’s the way this industry works.

So, we need to shift our thinking here.

“Since it’s only a matter of time before our designs are stolen, we should release them first and let them steal as much as they want before others secretly copy them.”

It’s about coolly releasing them first and gaining a generous image.

If they’re going to be stolen anyway, we might as well take care of our image.

“But… there’s no need to go out of our way to spoon-feed them, is there?”

“That’s right, it’s inevitable that they’ll copy us, but we don’t have to do it ourselves…”

“It sounds crazy, but it’s actually a beneficial action for us.”

“Beneficial?”

Lady Fanny and Prince Herbert’s expressions twisted in dismay.

“First, we become the people who lead and drive the market trends, not the ones who monopolize the market. Others will have no choice but to ride the wave that we are leading.”

And except for the very few top-tier ateliers, most people prefer these pioneers.

Because they are a grateful vanguard who tells them where to follow.

“Second, minor customers will have other options, so they don’t necessarily have to come to our atelier.”

“Isn’t that a loss, not a profit?”

“It looks that way at first glance, because poor nobles at the level of baron or viscount will leave.”

Barons and viscounts may seem like very noble people at first glance, but in reality, they are in a position like a department manager in a large company.

Overall, they are high-ranking and wealthy, but they are not enough to be involved with the really rich.

They may be able to buy luxury goods once in a while, but they can’t be compared to the rich who buy them like daily necessities.

They are large in number, but they are not really profitable.

This is because nobles with small family sizes, such as barons and viscounts, only need to follow the trend in a similar way, so they don’t have many demands and want to get things done moderately.

Therefore, unless it is a major event such as a wedding, they prefer to make clothes at an atelier that produces cheap and moderately quality items.

“But as many barons and viscounts leave, we can receive requests from higher-ranking, wealthier people.”

The characteristic of high-ranking people is that they have many requirements, use expensive materials generously, and give a lot of money.

It is high-ranking nobles such as dukes, marquises, and earls who can really show situations like, ‘This is a great result, please have a small meal with the staff (handing over 1 million won).’

In fact, that is the dignity and etiquette that noble blood must show.

“So the work will be reduced, but the profits will actually increase…”

“That’s right, and we can also use our working hours more efficiently.”

In addition, making one thing carefully rather than making several things frantically is less tiring in sewing and tailoring, even if you work for the same amount of time.

“And the third reason is that this is something that only we can do.”

“What is it?”

“If others make our clothes, our atelier can sit still and make money.”

“Huh…?”

It may sound like nonsense.

We use a lot of different materials in our clothes.

To perfectly implement our clothes, you have no choice but to use those materials, and to make those materials, you have to get machines and materials from Hans’ weaving factory, Isabella’s smithy, or Heiny.

“The hooks and wires used in bras, the fabric and hooks of girdles, these are all registered as patents, in my name and the names of the people who helped me make them.”

“Huh…”

I receive a decent amount of royalties for providing ideas for making those things, although not a lot.

Roughly, if someone makes about three pieces of clothing, we get about the same amount of profit as when we make one piece of clothing.

In other words, we can receive a lot of big and expensive customers and even do automatic hunting.

“So, to sum it up, the act of making our clothes available to others for free means that we can lead the trend, gain an image as a generous pioneer, reduce our workload, spread our clothes widely, and make money at the same time.”

“Hmm…”

“Ugh…”

The expressions of the employees who heard the three reasons changed to complex and subtle ones.

They understood, but they seemed to have some anxiety, like, ‘Will it really work out so smoothly?’

“I think it’s not a bad plan. As long as I’m here, showing leeway and acting generously will be beneficial in terms of reputation.”

While the employees were looking at each other with doubtful expressions and sorting out their complicated feelings.

Elizabeth gave a faint smile and gave strength to my opinion.

“That’s right, that’s exactly it.”

In a way, Elizabeth’s existence was the biggest reason why we could do this, which seemed like a bold and arrogant act.

As long as we have the imperial certification mark, our atelier will not be out of people’s attention unless we make a big mistake.

People will always watch our actions and be interested in what we, and Elizabeth, wear.

So, rather than being stingy, it was better to show the余裕 of the strong and make them feel the confidence and gap for sure.

“Excuse me… Duke Howard, I have a few questions.”

Since I had heard Elizabeth’s opinion, I wanted to hear the thoughts of the other employees, so I waited quietly, and Lady Fanny carefully raised her hand.

Her expression was stiff, and she looked like she had a lot on her mind.

“Yes, feel free to speak.”

“First, does the design that will be released include what we will create in the future?”

“In principle, yes, but I still need my own weapons, so I’m willing to postpone the release date or keep some designs private.”

“If this works out well, will the plan to hire new people be canceled?”

“No? I won’t reverse the decision to increase the number of people just because I’m doing this. It would be nice if the number of people increased and Fanny and Herbert could have time to design personally, not just me? Also, if there are more seamstresses and tailors, we can challenge more difficult clothes and designs.”

“I see…”

Lady Fanny’s stiff expression softened slightly at my answer.

And after pursing her lips for a while and contemplating, Lady Fanny opened her eyes wide, met my eyes with determination, nodded, and opened her mouth.

“Then I agree. I thought it was something I did in a fit of anger because I had too much work, but I think there’s a reason and basis for it, so I think it’s not a bad idea to release some designs and check the aftermath.”

“I… I’m not sure yet, but like Fanny said, I think we need to try it and see the results.”

“Anyone else?”

“I’m in favor.”

“We don’t know much about the design side, so we’ll follow the opinions of the tailors.”

“M-me too…”

Five abstentions, two approvals, and one other.

The dubious atmosphere was still there, but thanks to Fanny and Elizabeth’s opinions, I was able to get a chance to prove my words.

“Then let’s just release a few designs as a test. What to release… let’s think about it, talk about it again in two days, and decide then.”

“Understood.”

“Okay, then let’s clear our heads for about 10 minutes and start working.”

“Yes.”