Nelly, can you leave us, please?
Mr. Robinson...
I have many friends who sleep with escorts.
Maybe you know them.
For a first, I did okay.
And I didn't even pay.
I'd have chosen a different model, but...
I'm not supposed to question you, but I want to know who was in my bed.
Were you with an agency?
Were you short on clients?
No, I had plenty.
I had to face the fact I'd never be a model.
I had no talent,
no career plan, no future.
Classic rent-boy situation.
Am I supposed to pity you?
How do you think I felt when they offered 30,000€ to seduce Prince Charming?
30,000?
Wow.
For all I know, you're still bullshitting me.
I busted a nut memorizing your birthday and it might not even be real.
Yesterday, I thought I'd find a stranger and get mad at an asshole.
But it's you. It's too hard.
I promise I'll testify against them.
Great.
That can't have been an easy Christmas.
How do you feel?
Relieved to be home.
You're allowed to be hurt.
Giving up the people you love isn't easier the second time.
I had no expectations going there. So, I'm not disappointed.
It's not like you betrayed us and it backfired on you.
Exactly.
Back among the sane?
My sister is sleeping with her curator.
More importantly, she's in love.
Yann won't stand for it.
We must act quickly.
Same for Robinson. We'll take him by surprise to finalize the deal.
We missed you, Victor.
No more Christmases without you.
Thanks for cutting your vacation short.
The family wants it handled fast.
LEDU vs. Rovel?
No judge wants to be accused of dragging their feet.
A big-shot attorney, I assume?
They picked Herrman.
An old battle horse. A safe bet.
He wasn't happy to rush back from Gstaad on Christmas day.
They're scared.
Wonderful. Keep me posted.
Hi, you've reached Paloma. Leave me a message.
Did you miss your boat?
We're waiting for you at the studio.
Watch out, Paloma.
He'll make you think the world revolves around you
and lure you into his web.
Come back quickly. The ship is waiting for its captain.
Couture is your moment.
This is where the Jacquard cards are stored.
These.
They control the looms' movements.
This collection is unique.
It's the seamstresses' legacy.
Look at this.
This is Marie's christening gown.
I loved spending time with the lacemakers.
I was their mascot.
And... their model too.
I remember when I was about ten,
my father caught me wearing a communion dress.
As punishment,
he forced me to wear it outside the whole day.
It was February.
I was deathly ill for two weeks.
I never wore a dress again.
Instead, you decided to make them.
Exactly.
May I?
You know, this Maison is as fragile and precious
as the lace it makes.
It hangs on by a thread.
Literally.
Like your next collection, in a way.
You'll figure it out.
I'm sure.
The opposition party plans to run hiking trails through our land!
No one hikes around here!
It's just to annoy us.
The coast belongs to those who defended it against the British!
Don't you agree, Yann?
You've been here longer than us.
Since the Seventh Crusade.
Have you seen Marie?
No.
Will you join us for the appetizers, or not even?
I can't stand those people anymore.
Is it me, or does it get worse each year?
It's you. "Those people" have been our friends for ages.
Our fashion money isn't the same as theirs.
They look down on us.
With your family, I'm used to being looked down on.
But here, I'm shown respect,
to my face, at least.
The Maison wouldn't exist without me and my money.
You all tend to forget this.
Something you want to tell me?
You vote for the Left, is that it?
I know you think I'm the village idiot.
You, your brothers, even your son.
But I'm not blind.
- You've changed. - I haven't changed.
Who can't you stand? "Those people" or me?
I'm warning you, Marie.
If you want my 15% to stay in the family, you'll have to choose.
In fashion,
the first requirement is genius hand technique.
If you don't know how to weave, you can't speak the workshop's language.
A good creative director must be a good seamstress above all.
If you want to design couture,
you have to accept its fleeting, intangible aspect.
Beauty for beauty's sake.
Isn't it a bit convenient to hide behind "art for art's sake"?
To ignore the world around us?
We don't all have the same dream.
My generation dreams of saving what's left of our world's beauty.
Leather, cashmere, cochineal.
Our species' dream is always at the expense of another's.
Luxury always puts us at the top of the food chain.
But it's an illusion.
We're part of the chain.
We don't reign over it.
I'd like to put that genius hands technique...
to work on my dream.
You're brave and strong.
But it all starts here.
Find your music first.
And once you've found it, you can make your own dream.
I'm sorry, but I truly believe it's for the best.
Don't you?
Are you asking me what I think?
I'd like you to stay on as my foundation's curator.
But I'll understand if you quit.
If I--
You're the one quitting.
I made no promises.
Are you serious?
What about "seize the day"?
You gave in.
You chose Ledu over me.
None of this exists. You know that, right?
Who are you trying to convince?
You're not that woman.
Which woman, Judith?
A woman who builds her own cage,
just because she wants to be as powerful and as miserable as her brothers.
You're consumed by your family.
Yet you want to protect them at all costs.
That's what doesn't exist, Marie!
Your family!
I'm sorry, Judith.
No, I am.
Sorry for you.
Robinson, I know I'm not allowed to talk to you anymore.
But I want to.
I want to see you.
To touch you. To kiss you.
I ruined everything, and I'll blame myself for the rest of my life.
I love you.
Are you sure he's coming?
Yes.
Perhaps we can hear the other party's version in the meantime?
I'll give your witness a few more minutes.
Mr. Herrman?
This will go very quickly, Your Honor.
My clients obviously deny any involvement
in the fanciful scenario invented by the Ledu family.
Monsieur Ledu, you deny knowing Mr. Solal Batetana?
Not at all. I know him.
I saw him on Christmas Eve at my brother's house.
That's when I realized my nephew was involved in a personal relationship
with Maison LEDU's receptionist,
in total disregard for the workplace ethics policy I insisted on establishing
when I worked there.
Did you know him as well, Madame Ledu?
Madame Rovel.
I saw him once last September,
at the LEDU ready-to-wear show.
He and Robinson attended together as a couple.
Yes, and he was already working for you at the time.
I will not tolerate accusations against my clients without evidence.
And what have you done with the evidence?
Monsieur Ledu,
let's try to keep this a confrontation of versions,
not individuals.
You must know, Robinson...
that I'm sorry.
I know how much you loved Solal.
I'm sorry it didn't work out between you.
I mean it.
Solal wanted to testify just two days ago.
Did you threaten him?
Your Honor, we would like to consider filing a libel suit.
You want to sue me?
Go ahead. Really. You have everything to lose.
Go right ahead.
It's true!
Hi, you've reached Solal...
Are you going to punch every mailbox in town?
Come with me.
Where?
There must be room for your mother in that huge apartment.
What are you doing?
You want to take care of me?
I'll fend for myself. I've done it my whole life.
It would be good for me too.
Let's not pretend we're close.
You can fend for yourself too.
The judge won't even order an investigation.
Perfect! Navarre is settled.
Settled.
We buried him in cement.
Metaphorically speaking.
Now, what about your sister?
I'm on it.
Well done. I'm proud of you both.
"Well done" and "proud" in my mother's mouth.
You're a hero.
She said, "You both."
In 32 years, she's never wondered how I'm doing.
Now she wants to play mother hen? I mean, seriously!
- I understand. - And she was horrible to Solal!
She couldn't stand the thought of me being happy,
let alone with someone like Solal, the hired help!
You can't deny she was a better judge than the rest of us.
Solal's concierge told me he moved out a week ago.
I mean, Ismaël M'Bemba. That's his real name.
- Ismaël. - Really?
The worst part is it doesn't suit him at all.
Yeah, that's definitely the worst part.
Look.
They even got him a fake ID!
How did you get this?
I ransacked Virginie's office in HR.
Okay.
Solal let us down, but Nelson is on the case.
We'll find the proof to nail them.
- He wanted to testify. - Robbie, he didn't show!
- They must have offered him more money. - Or something's happened to him.
They threatened him. They're capable of anything!
I know I sound like a guy in denial. Too bad.
I know Solal was sincere.
Ismaël-- Whatever.
Isn't this place incredible?
Yeah.
I can't believe you went from here to social services.
My inspiration is a water goddess swimming on the seventh continent.
That's why we wanted to use a less conventional lace.
I got that.
But it didn't really work.
The problem is that couture is a label of exception.
And the Guild can withdraw it if your designs don't meet their criteria.
You never botched a prototype?
Me?
Millions of times.
One month before a show?
So, what's the solution?
We do things like you or not at all?
If you're making lace,
you must do it properly.
I get it. You want to revolutionize things.
I've been there.
Lace was already cheesy in the '80s.
But the difference is
I grew up watching lacemakers work.
If you want to break the codes,
you must be irreproachable, technically speaking.
And luckily,
unlike genius, technique can be learned.
Otherwise--
LEDU LACE FACTORY
Isn't it magnificent?
Palo, why did you make me come to Brittany?
We have work at the studio.
We're on the wrong track, Ye-Ji.
Look! See how beautiful and intricate this is?
It took a century to get to this result.
Too bad we only have a month.
But we have the expertise.
We're trying too hard to do the opposite of LEDU.
That was the point!
Not produce more. Find another way to make lace.
I know!
I know, but...
Now I don't know if it's a good idea.
But the show is in less than a month.
I'm all mixed up.
After Christmas, it's only normal--
That has nothing to do with it. I'm talking about the collection.
It's stupid to destroy everything just to "do things differently."
The Maison doesn't deserve that.
The Maison...
or Vincent?
You got a father for Christmas.
That's great.
But that has nothing to do with me.
- Wine, Mademoiselle? - Sure. Thank you, Nelly.
Ye-Ji hasn't come down yet?
She left.
What do you mean?
You were in your room.
She told me to let you know.
She couldn't stay over tonight.
She has to be at the studio early tomorrow.
Thank you.
You're lucky to have her.
But I'm here too.
We can get to work if you like.
Whenever you want.
I'm sure you know I plan to keep my shares, after what you did to me,
not to mention what you did to Solal.
- The Rovel group never-- - Anyway.
As far as I'm concerned, the deal is off.
I'll pay back the money Rovel "lent" me.
No debt, no collateral, no shares.
Adios, Rovel.
Robinson, how can we convince you that you belong here with us?
Wow, you've got...
some nerve.
Yet, we'll have to find a way to get along.
We want to show your collection at the next RTW show.
The marketing plan is ready.
Sorry, no go.
Like I said, I'll pay you back.
Well, now...
We're sorry, but we didn't think you'd want to back out.
Like you said, it was everything you'd ever dreamed of.
You don't have my shares.
According to our contract,
if I default on payment, I'll receive a letter of notification.
I don't reply to it,
you can take my shares as collateral.
But I've received nothing.
Maybe you forgot to open your Cayman Islands mailbox.
As of today, you are very, very rich.
You run a very promising Maison within the Rovel group.
We're still very excited about working with you...
Robinson.
I'll walk you out.
Now, on to your sister.
We can create a symmetry...
We received the new sample.
Shit.
So, we still don't know how we're making these dresses.
We've been in the "red zone" before, Monique. We're used to it.
I know the stress of these three weeks by heart.
But we're headed for disaster!
I know the studio is under pressure.
Paloma will deliver within the next few days.
I trust her.
We've never not had our fabrics so close to a show. Never.
M-Monique--
What the hell is Paloma doing?
For four days I've been under pressure, while "Mademoiselle" makes lace!
I know what you're feeling.
The urge to walk out?
Paloma is going to need a strong shoulder.
A true friend. All right?
Am I just here to be a good friend?
No.
Be patient. Work your way up.
Every great designer has spent time in a great Maison.
You won't always be number two.
Believe me.
I'm throwing a little party tonight for the New Year.
You're more than welcome.
Thanks, Nelly.
No, thank you.
Come on. Just for a toast.
It's New Year's Eve.
The last time I had champagne, I said horrible things.
Come on.
Any news from Paris?
Nothing good.
You and your brother...
It's not just because of Perle.
There's something else between you.
He and I have never been able to coexist.
From the start.
According to him...
and Perle too,
I'm to blame.
I'm one of those "toxic" people
that psychology blogs advise you to steer clear of.
On that note,
if you hear of a party tonight with people your age,
here's some advice.
Run from me.
What is that?
Beautiful, isn't it?
It's pollution.
This is the new world.
It's not a dream.
Not mine, in any case.
- What did you do for Christmas? - Oh, we went to Saint-Moritz.
Oh, you're such a snob! Get out of here.
Hello, Agnès.
- How are you? - Good.
I love your little hideout on the Champs-Élysées.
I love your dress. Whose is it?
Rovel. All my LEDUs are at the dry cleaner's.
The more they copy us, the better they get.
- Champagne? - God, no. Feels like being at work.
- Agnès! - Hi, Nathalie.
I'll be right back.
One day, one of them predicted
that I'd always have good luck and be happy.
- But I haven't been happy. - Hello?
Have you tried on your whole wardrobe? Where are you?
I don't have the strength to leave home.
Are you watching one or two?
Three.
Sissi: The Fateful Years of an Empress.
Oh, no.
You're in real bad shape.
Okay, I'll leave you to your New Year's party with Sissi.
But I'll call you tomorrow.
Thanks.
I love you.
My precious dear. How are you?
We're late.
- My mother will be thrilled. - Change of plans for tonight.
A surprise?
I feel like I'm 20 again.
How are you?
- I'm fine. - Don't bullshit me.
I can tell when you lie.
I've never been happier.
Okay. Well, you've done a great job after the Vincentgate.
I mean, once again, you're the one who saved LEDU.
It's what I do.
My husband just bought an old family brand in Italy.
I can't tell you which one yet.
I know which one.
Okay. So, you know there's everything to rebuild.
The new artistic director is a prodigy. And you--
You know the drill. Come.
Dust off the brand. Make it grow.
After three years, you enter the capital.
It will be in your contract.
Well...
Sounds tempting.
So, on New Year's Eve,
you privatize the restaurant from our first date.
Isn't it a bit late to win back the girl?
We're beyond that, Caroline.
But it's a perfect place to talk.
To really talk.
Do you still love her?
Straight off the bat, huh?
Okay.
Yes.
But I loved you too.
I also believed in us. And in our family.
We have a daughter.
She's spoiled rotten, but we love her, and she knows it.
Isn't that what we wanted?
I know what you two have planned.
You'll divorce me, stick me on a shelf. End of story.
Actually,
you want my shares, but not me.
You're wrong.
Our relationship may be a failure,
but not necessarily for the group.
But it takes two to tango.
Not one, not three.
If you stick with your mother, you're in for another battle.
And a nasty divorce because I'll fight tooth and nail.
But if I choose you?
We take Rovel together.
The power couple.
If you trust me,
I'll put my shares in the holding company right now.
If you trust me.
Can I put on something...
a bit more cheerful?
Absolutely. Please do.
Are these Gino's records?
Those were.
You know,
Gino loved to DJ at the Bains Douches.
He always ended the evening with this song.
It was his trademark.
Who was he, other than...
a social butterfly?
I mean, did he have a talent for anything?
He wasn't a social butterfly at all.
Gino...
had a talent for life.
For lightheartedness and late nights.
He was a partier, not a social butterfly.
If it weren't for him,
I'd still be a reclusive provincial aristocrat,
uptight and conservative,
holed up in his old mansion.
You've changed a lot.
Watch out.
Come, I want to show you something.
Ready?
- Here we go. - Okay.
Careful! You'll suffocate her with your paint fumes.
Quit bitching. She needs to get used to it.
Paloma's the name of an artist.
Like her daddies.
Hi. Why have you called at this hour? Where's Dad?
Dad's asleep. That's why I called you.
I saw Paloma on TV. But they didn't mention you.
Okay. Happy New Year to you too, Mom.
It's time.
Happy New Year.
My dear.
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU.
I'M THINKING OF YOU ...
Cross.
Turn.
And turn again.
There.
Needle.
This one.
Here.
Cross.
Okay.
Good luck.
Palo, it's me.
What the hell are you doing?
It's January 2nd. The workers in your Maison are waiting for you,
and I don't know what to tell them.
I know you're going through personal stuff, and you need to be alone.
But I'm alone too. And I don't know what to do anymore.
Call me.
Come back.
Good morning.
Yes!
Let's see.
Not bad for a beginner.
And I found my neo-lace.
Elastic. Robust. Vegan.
Local.
I found a start-up in Nantes that makes seaweed thread.
The lacemakers can start testing it tomorrow.
LEDU returns to the sea, where the Maison was born.
The collection will be called
"The Wave."
- See you later. - See you later.
After all we did to get rid of him, you brought him back?
At least he stayed to help me.
People won't understand.
Think of him as a consultant. That's all.
I've known him a long time.
He hurts people, even unintentionally.
Thanks, Perle. I'm a big girl.
Are we done here?
I hate mauve.
It's for old ladies.
His entire collection is lilac. Hard to get rid of it.
Not so. He'll just have to start all over.
So close to the show?
Sky is the limit.
Must I go under the table? I'm not a kid.
Sweetie, you're still the youngest. It's tradition.
Who's this slice for?
Mom.
And this one? The biggest.
Grandma.
If I get the charm,
who shall I choose as queen?
Mom!
Grandma.
- Grandma? - Mom!
Call an ambulance.
- Well? - She's feeling better.
Anything I should know?
No.
Her checkup is perfect.
She's just overworked.
Have you thought about my proposal?
Not yet.
What are you doing here?
Perle.
We're in deep shit.
I'm so sick of hearing that.
We've never been in such deep shit.
Call your uncle or your mother, someone in your family.
I'm tired of cleaning up after you people.
Are you the one they poached?
I have heard that they poached someone from LEDU for Milan.
Is it you?
I should have left a long time ago.
Don't do it. Not now.
Rovel wants a majority share of LEDU.
You call that breaking news?
But this time, they'll get it.
I fear the worst for Victor's shares.
As for mine, the worst has happened.
My father's probably next.
I really need your help.
Your mother is busy.
I know. She's practicing for the Philharmonic.
Even you don't know what's going on in there,
do you?
You're loyal.
A key quality for my mother.
It's what I'm paid for.
You and I have a lot in common.
I don't think so.
My mother is a provincial accountant, not a CEO.
Not really the same upbringing.
Perhaps. But we both work in the shadows like good soldiers.
People see us the same way. We'll never succeed on our own.
I'm happy where I am.
For now, sure.
Do you know why the pyramids' architects were so valuable?
Their constructions held up.
More importantly, they were irreplaceable.
They were unique. They had a secret.
There was one way to ensure the secret never got out.
Bury the architect with the pharaoh.
What's really going on in this office
could change many things for you and me both.