LEDU DE KERDANET LACEMAKING
LIFE IS A DANCE
Good morning.
All done, Monique?
Tell Mr. Ledu the dress is ready.
- Good morning, Miss Foster. - Good morning, Kader.
- Good morning, Jérôme. - Hello, Monsieur.
Vincent, we're late.
Luxury is time, Perle.
How beautiful.
Fantastique!
It's beautiful!
Could you please tell Miss Lee
it's a great honor for me to reinvent the wedding dress worn by my mother,
Jeanne, the very essence of female elegance.
She would have loved all your suggestions.
I said I wanted more lace.
And real gemstones here. This is all wrong!
Miss Lee had asked for more lace and real gemstones.
It's a dress, not chain mail.
Don't translate that. Please reassure Miss Lee
Maison LEDU will do its utmost to satisfy your requirements.
You look fantastic.
You know, I've never made so many prototypes before.
Now, I'll leave you with my assistant to formalize an agreement.
Have a wonderful day.
Don't worry. We'll get back to you soon.
Did you hear how she spoke to me? Who does she think she is?
We made it to order for her. We can't sell it to anyone else.
Nor her custom bridesmaid dresses, purses, shoes
and the whole Lee family's wardrobe!
"Life is a dance."
If she wants to be a poet, she'll get married in her panties.
No problem.
Your "assistant" will just find you another seven million dollar deal.
It doesn't suit you to talk like an accountant.
The extravagant centennial show you want costs money.
We have to pay embroiderers, feather makers, tanners,
your staff, driver, housekeeper, Swiss spas, and all the rest.
If Sun-Hi says life is a dance, you'll dance to life.
Don't tell me we're competing with him.
Vincent Ledu has descended from Mount Olympus to play salesman?
And I'm going right back up.
Come.
I'll catch up with you.
- Hi, Perle. - Victor.
You could have warned me.
You didn't tell me either.
Then again, Rovel's been poaching your clients for 20 years.
We like this game, don't we?
I do, in any case.
But don't worry. It's nothing personal.
Of course it is.
Congratulate my brother tonight.
Oddly, I'm not on the guest list.
LEDU is France's coat of arms.
Our nation's ceremonial dress.
LEDU is a Maison. One hundred years of history.
A lineage of seafarers from Brittany lost at sea
and their wives, who wove the black lace of their inescapable widowhood.
Your dearly missed parents, Jeanne and Aldric,
opened the doors of Parisian luxury to LEDU lace.
From a local workshop to a jewel of international fashion,
Maison LEDU is, above all, a family.
United today as it was then.
Who briefed her?
A timeless signature in the world of luxury.
What an epic journey.
This galleon has traveled across many oceans.
And you, Vincent Ledu, are its proud captain.
On behalf of the French Republic,
we hereby appoint you Commander of Arts and Letters.
The original is gold
with an azure cross, a silver ship and sixteen ermine-flecked eagles.
But all that wouldn't fit on the ring.
Your family is so inspiring.
So, what's your uncle like?
Um, very demanding.
He trusts very few people.
I'm in his close creative circle.
- See you later. - See you later.
Agnès!
Vincent!
Well done, Commander.
Soon to be General.
What's going on?
- Later. - Now.
I just spoke to Sun-Hi's staff.
Now what? She wants "Peace & Love" in rubies across her bust?
What?
Vincent.
Fifteen prototypes thrown in the trash! What a waste of time!
Vincent.
Please calm down. Don't make a scene, please.
I'll make a scene if I want to make a scene!
I've had it with that mafia of dog-eating peasants.
They'd buy shit in a can.
As long as it has a big, fat Rovel logo, they're happy.
I'll make a scene if I want to make a scene!
I've had it with that mafia of dog-eating peasants.
They'd buy shit in a can.
As long as it has a big, fat Rovel logo...
Hey!
- What's that? - Nothing.
Do you know who I am?
Oh. Yes.
- You shared it? - No. I swear I didn't.
Who do you work for?
No one. I'm waitressing. It was funny, so I filmed it.
DELETE
CANCEL
NEW MESSAGE
What's your name?
Stella.
- Stella? - Yes.
- Stella what? - Cioni.
DELETE
Let me be very clear, Stella.
If I ever hear of this video again,
even in a local coffee shop or in a Disney magazine,
you'll be fired and you'll never find another job in Paris. Got it?
I should smash this phone. Get lost.
...make a scene!
I've had it with that mafia of dog-eating peasants...
Did the bride get dumped?
No, LEDU did. Order canceled.
Scrap it, as usual.
Yes?
Hello. My name is Paloma Castel...
- Can I help you? - Yes.
Can I just take a peek at the courtyard?
That's not allowed.
Actually,
my father, Gino Castel, worked here.
Hmm.
See? He... He even lived here.
Sure. So did Mozart.
Miss, if you want to come inside,
apply for an internship like everyone else.
Okay?
Time to go now.
Okay.
Did you say he was your father?
Don't worry. It doesn't matter.
In any case, they're doing a real good cleanup job.
Ye-Ji, how about an old-school tailing mission?
Taxi,
follow that car.
They're over here.
Those are all bags of new luxury clothes.
Imagine that times the number of brands in Paris alone.
"Thank you very much, gentlemen.
Of course we'll destroy your unsold goods.
Just to make sure no one else can use them."
"Illegal you say? No worries."
There's also some Rovel!
- What are you doing? - Oh, shit! Hurry! Hurry!
Security!
You're beautiful.
I bet Vincent has a portrait of you, aging in your place.
And a voodoo doll of you that he furiously sticks pins into.
You must be in serious pain after that number you pulled on us, huh?
Maybe I'm a masochist.
I'm not sure who's more twisted, your brother or you.
Funny you insist on wearing the Ledu crest.
It's still my last name, you know.
And it's still your Maison.
Despite your best efforts to sink it.
Don't hold a grudge.
I got the contract because our designers do what Vincent can't anymore.
- Is that so? - Adapt to the client.
You know I don't care about any of that.
The business, Rovel, LEDU,
Vincent.
Soon you'll want us to move to the Greek islands.
No.
I'd never insult you by taking you away from Paris.
But we could drop everything and go live in the 20th arrondissement.
You wouldn't survive a day in the real world, Victor.
You're not a wild animal.
Neither are you.
You've filed your claws down.
Adaptation's my game, darling.
What if I stayed over tonight?
In your dreams, Victor.
Hello, Perle.
Hello, Nelly. How is he this morning?
Monsieur asked me to tell you you're late.
Okay. Wonderful.
Thanks, Nelly.
The Fashion Guild invited Doppel to do a show this season. We've been invited.
Doppel,
Paloma Castel's Maison.
She's very good, you know.
You know who Patrick Hernandez is?
The guy who sang "Born to be Alive"?
Interplanetary hit in 1979.
27 million records sold.
But do you know "Disco Queen" or "Ballerina"?
No, of course not.
The poor man is doomed to perform the same song until the day he dies.
I too have performed the same song for years.
The Maison isn't 100 years old.
I am.
Your centennial gala will be a triumph.
Trust me.
I'm here. Huh?
Can you read me your press review?
Come on.
You asked for it.
Let's see.
"On the red carpet of a London film premiere,
Miss Perle Foster, LEDU's eternal muse,
was seen wearing an apple green sequined Balenciaga sheath dress,
thus taking the risk
of looking completely ridiculous in this vulgar outfit
when she would have looked superb in LEDU."
It says so right here.
You're such a bitch.
Darling.
Ye-Ji? Can you come? We need to know how many looks will change.
Okay. On my way.
Guys?
I know you're exhausted, and that changing looks at this stage is suicidal.
But we can't not do it.
LEDU, Rovel, and all the others,
dispose of their unsold stock without a second thought.
And they have everything slashed to pieces to make sure no one can use them.
These clothes were destined for the trash. We'll work wonders with them.
You'll work wonders with them.
You are fairies.
You are eco-warriors.
And, thanks to you, tonight we will make history.
- Hello, Monsieur Ledu. - Hello.
- He's here. - Thank you.
Ladies, Monsieur has arrived for the number eight fitting.
Monsieur is coming.
Ryan?
Would you like your internship to end today?
It's flat.
Move!
- Hello, everyone. - Hello, Monsieur.
- Hello, Monique. - Monsieur.
Well, then.
The temperature should always be 18.2 degrees Celsius.
Never above, never below.
Don't talk to her. Don't look in the rearview mirror. Be invisible.
Follow the precise itinerary we gave you.
She must only see Rovel ads along the way.
Like a guard of honor. You understand?
Yes.
Slow down in front, but not for too long.
She hates wasting time.
Any questions?
She may be a French cinema icon, but she needs a new surgeon.
She looks shell-shocked.
The French love her.
What a lovely day.
Well, not for everyone.
Good morning, Madame Rovel.
These people just want to show off.
They don't understand anything about what we do!
I want to sell to people
who have taste and spirit.
Not to a tribe of backward gooks
who made a fortune on chip cards!
They went straight from the rice paddies to the Ritz. Now they rule the world.
Who's your source?
I don't know. Lucy won't tell me anything.
The less you know, the less you're exposed.
What are you going to do with it?
Give it as a bone to gnaw to the LuxuryTea pit bulls.
Actually, it's already done.
These days it's amazing how 17 seconds can ruin 100 years of history.
I just love the Internet.
Isn't "killing the brother" your thing?
Diane, I still own a third of that Maison.
Exactly, Victor. Time to choose your family.
You can't sit on the fence forever.
Play it again. It's so delightful.
I hope so.
See you.
Sophie. I need an extra front-row seat
for the German influencer with two million followers.
Excuse me. My name is Céline.
Of course, but I can't work with a girl who has the name of a rival Maison.
SHADES OF RACISM FOR LEDU'S NEW COLLECTION
Mr. Ledu, I'd like you to approve the color of the catwalk.
This isn't black. I said black.
It is black.
It's not black. It's blackbird.
- I want this. Sharkskin. - Of course.
It's magnificent.
MAFIA OF DOG-EATING PEASANTS
Absolutely gorgeous.
And he's talking to the dress, right?
You're not bad yourself, Eva.
How are you?
- Palo? - Uh-huh?
Check this out.
Ledu has just done a Galliano.
What's wrong? Did someone die?
Did you at least watch it?
Come on. I know what I said. It's not the end of the world.
Marie.
You couldn't control yourself.
Hi, Mom.
How nice to see you!
I hoped my little sister would come to my decoration ceremony, but no...
You should have skipped it too.
It's him. Your Victor!
Your favorite brother is behind this.
He and the fishmonger.
She's always wanted to own us. It's a setup.
You're the one in the video. Not Victor nor Diane Rovel.
Robinson and I assessed the crisis...
- The "crisis"? - Yes, the crisis.
Remember Ardisson's TV show
with that silly debate on good taste and the hysterical journalist?
One week and everyone forgot.
It's a new millennium. Have you noticed?
Yes, we're in the age of the ethical inquisition!
I didn't rape anyone and I don't have a Swiss bank account.
I just made a bad joke in the heat of the moment. You were there.
It wasn't funny. It was racist.
I'm not racist!
You better fix this mess, Vincent.
I don't know how, but don't count on me.
I'm sick and tired of cleaning up after you!
We all are!
One of our stores was vandalized in Seoul and one in Beijing.
The Asian market is united.
WeChat has taken down our e-shop.
Furthermore, the video is already a worldwide meme.
What on earth is a "meme"?
The video is a meme all over the world.
The Fashion Guild is under pressure to cancel their show,
but it's still on for now.
Wonderful. We just sit back and watch.
I give your brother 48 hours to resign.
Then there will be a LEDU fire sale.
My family will never sell. Neither will I.
The Ledu family. You think you're God's gift to mankind.
You always looked down on me. Even as kids.
I know everything, even my nickname.
"The fishmonger." Screw you.
Think it over, Victor.
Your family's on its last legs. You'll be no more than my employee.
Or at best, the husband of a very rich woman.
- Mother! - Some are quite happy with that.
We get the point.
Sometimes, dancing with the devil is the only way to survive.
I know all about that.
If I sell you my shares and betray my family,
I want the top job.
Your job.
CEO of Rovel.
Gentlemen...
Can't we just deny it?
I don't know, say it's a fake?
We'll get burned.
Remember when Stefano Gabbana was "trolled" on his Insta?
It's already gone viral.
What about the show?
It's tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. as planned.
Crap.
- What? - Victor stabbed us in the back.
Let me see.
Maison LEDU and Vincent Ledu are two very different things.
I strongly condemn my brother's scandalous outburst.
There you go.
You can't defend him this time. He did it. This is proof.
We'll figure out who leaked it later.
For now, let's stop it from spreading.
No, we have to press charges for invasion of privacy! That's it.
Robinson will make a statement.
Yes, I know it's a shock,
but there's more to your job than parties and sleeping with chiefs of staff.
So, you'll defend me
and turn me into the real victim. Your mother will send out a press release.
As for Perle, put her on TV in a prime-time slot.
We must stand together.
Like a real family.
I see...
You have no problem living off me.
But the one time I need you...
Thanks a lot.
I can wait.
But I want a commitment.
You're certainly milking your marriage to the fullest.
That's enough!
What? Your husband just shut you out. Say something.
You know what people say about you?
That you don't have what it takes to step into my shoes.
That your only asset is your last name.
So, react!
Prove me wrong. I'm listening.
No? Nothing?
Victor, I guess we have a deal.
But I'm warning you. If you ever decide to blow the whistle,
I'll blame you for the video.
My parents taught me to love and respect all cultures.
I greatly admire South Korea and its ancient history,
and would like to express my sincere, profound apologies to the Korean people.
Fatigue and stress pushed me to say things I didn't mean.
As they say in Seoul, "empty wagons rattle the loudest."
My words in no way reflect
my deep respect for the country known as "the land of the morning calm."
I can't say that.
You have to repent.
Why don't I sing some K-pop too? This is ridiculous.
I'll be like Queen Elizabeth after Diana's death.
Hide in Balmoral and wrap myself in decorous solitude.
Now, all of you get out. I have work to do.
- Shoo! Out you go! - Okay, okay.
Everybody out.
This is ridiculous.
Yes. Sure.
Are you okay?
Could you avoid polyester?
It gives me migraines.
Robinson. Robinson,
Eva Herzigová is standing us up.
She's not the only one. Our VIPs all have last-minute conflicts.
What do we do?
Use Instagram to fill the room.
Youth loves the taste of blood.
Okay, okay.
Hello, you've reached Victor Ledu...
WAITRESS (5)
You've reached Stella Cioni's voicemail...
- Better mood? - Yes.
Can you shut the door? I need privacy.
So, it's à la carte with you?
One day, you call because you don't want to sleep alone.
The next day, you're absolutely obnoxious.
What's tomorrow's weather forecast?
Wait.
The forecast says sunny skies.
We're almost ready. You?
In five.
Fashion kills! Fashion kills! Fashion kills!
Fashion kills!
40 BILLION TONS OF CO2 EMITTED
100 BILLION CLOTHING ITEMS ARE SOLD EVERY YEAR
I've had it with that mafia
of dog-eating peasants...
They'd buy shit in a can.
As long as it has a big, fat Rovel logo, they're happy.
- Ciao, ciao. Congratulations. - Thanks to you.
Ciao.
What the hell is he doing here?
- Hello. - Hello.
That was really great.
Bravo.
Did you actually watch it?
Yes, why?
Even the pieces with your logo were great?
We agree with you. Things have to change.
Yet you don't change a thing because...
We're waiting for the right talent.
And we believe in you.
You want to revolutionize the industry.
Rovel is the industry.
The entire industry.
Come join us. Show us how to do fashion differently.
Bravo. That was quite a slap in the face.
Don't you agree, Victor? In this field, some people deserve a good slap.
I'll leave you to it. Let's chat soon, Paloma.
I didn't think you would come.
I mean, I was hoping you would.
You were hoping Vincent would come.
Thank goodness he didn't. He'd have seen himself on the walls.
Not to mention his repurposed clothes.
In any case, enjoy your success. It's well deserved.
Thanks for your invitation.
Bye.
Paloma Castel said no?
I won't give her a choice.
Your mother, she forced my hand.
With that video.
For 20 years, I've been patiently waiting for her to trust me to...
To?
Why do you...
You want to run the group now?
I thought we'd already discussed this.
A long time ago.
And
has something changed?
You tell me.
Come sit down.
What your mother said about us this morning...
I don't want her to be right.
I've never wanted to be my mother.
You think you can handle it?
Leaving your family to drown without lifting a finger?
They left me to drown.
Vincent...
personally oversaw my banishment.
Vincent will be easy.
What about your sister? Your nephew?
Perle?
If you sell your shares, there will be no turning back with them either.
There never was.
Apologize.
Make a genuine apology. A sincere one.
Do it.
Maybe I can't save La Maison.
But you can.
Be my bride.
Like 25 years ago. Walk for me.
People love you. If you walk the runway, that's all people will talk about.
I won't come out at the end.
We'll end on you.
Only you.
Save me, Perle. I'm begging you.
You're right. It's true.
Ever since you replaced Marie,
I've thought of you as my assistant, nothing more.
But you know you mean so much more.
If I walk for you,
I'll never be anything more than your muse, Vincent.
- Not at all. - Of course!
It will be different.
First of all, I'll make an announcement after the show.
I'll name you Director.
You take over. Officially.
I'm handing you the keys to the Maison, Perle.
In return, you want me to sacrifice myself for you.
No, not for me.
For La Maison, Perle.
Your Maison.
Ledu is racist!
STOP ASIAN HATE
LEDU IS RACIST
VINCENT, SHIT-EATING PEASANT
DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH!
PROUD TO BE KOREAN
Hello, babies! So here I am at the LEDU fashion show.
I didn't even have to hustle for my seat. I smell last-minute cancellations.
It's Robinson Ledu!
Robinson, would you like to say something to my followers?
For the rest, watch my story.
Julie, you're not sick. You just did a story from Balmain.
Luca!
Get rid of another row.
You're being upgraded to second row. Good job!
I'm in polyester. I won't catch on fire, will I?
Stay away from the projectors.
She's in Shein from head to toe. What do I do?
Economy is upgraded to business. We have no choice.
Excuse me. You can move up to the front row.
- Fine. Thank you. Good luck. - Thank you.
Everything's fine?
Thank you, Martin. That'll be fine. Thank you.
All good?
Thank you for being here.
Show me. Come.
Monique!
Good.
One, two, three.
You are perfect.
See you in a minute.
Thank you.
Let's go.
Is Théa ready?
Eloise.
Marylou...
Fix the hair.
Can someone redo this bow?
Get ready.
Go.
It's okay, Théa. You can go now.
Are we sure about the music?
It's hell out there.
Ana Sofia.
Where's Perle?
Thirty seconds until the bride.
So, no finale.
What do we do?
Have you ever imagined what your own funeral would look like?
This feels like it's mine.
Attending your own funeral is like the ultimate fashion show.
You wonder,
"Who'll be there? Who'll be in the front row?
Who'll be wearing LEDU?
Who'll come up with the funniest critique or the meanest afterwards?
Or maybe even during."
And mostly, you wonder,
who really cares about me?
I care about you.
And, I care about fashion.
So fleeting, yet so vital.
Vital, like a heartbeat...
Like the air we breathe.
So, I wanted to apologize
if, throughout all these years,
I have cared poorly for you at times.
Racist!
But there is one thing I won't apologize for.
Being who I am.
Boo!
Unfortunately, at my age, it's too late to change.
VINCENT LEDU'S FINAL SHOW?
- Hello. - Are you Paloma Castel?
That's me.
- Fraud squad. - What?
The Rovel group filed a complaint for counterfeiting.
- What do you mean? - Gentlemen, get to work.
We'll have to seize all the merchandise.
Now that I've killed the father, I want the daughter.
Bring me Paloma Castel.