This is a groundbreaking event for Hong Kong's fashion industry.
It's a crossover
between Hong Kong's top-selling fashion magazine Modes and local brand Le Rouge.
I believe that apart from getting a sneak peek of the spring and summer collection
being shown on the T-stage behind me,
you've also come here for a common purpose: to make a pilgrimage.
You're here to hear a speech being made at the end of this event
by Modes magazine's editor-in-chief Ip Long,
Hong Kong's king of the fashion scene, also known as The Trend Master.
Beautiful. Go.
This is Ip Long.
I can't answer your call right now. Please leave a message.
Ip Long, the show will be over in half an hour.
You know very well
the additional terms in our contract with Le Rouge.
You must appear in the show.
If you breach the contract, Modes will be sued.
If you think you can play with AM like this and make us take the fall,
I assure you that I will drag down your Editorial Department with us.
Before the show started today,
we conducted a simple survey by questionnaire.
Around 90 percent of the audience
including the president of Le Rouge and its chief designer are Ip Long's fans.
So it's no wonder that as the show draws to a close,
our spirits are getting higher.
That's because The Trend Master will meet with his disciples very soon.
Fan has been on leave for a year.
This is his first time walking on a T-stage again.
I want him to appear in the special column of our next issue.
Take more nice photos. Thank you.
Yan, you must help me.
Ip Long is your mentor. He won't listen to anyone except you.
Please call him and ask him to hurry.
As long as he agrees to perform his part in the contract,
AM will do whatever he says and serve him like his servant from now on.
I won't fight with him on the layouts. I won't try to outshine him anymore.
Even if he wants me to back him up
for his re-election to the post of Modes' editor-in-chief, I'm OK too.
We're running out of time. Call him now. I'll try to stall the show, OK? Call him.
I'm sorry. I'm afraid I can't help you.
Do you remember what I told you the first time we met?
Everything is an exchange of equal value.
If you want me to appear on stage. Then you'll have to promise me one thing.
Later, whether you agree or disagree with what I say on stage,
you and your AM team can only support me.
You can't object.
Thank you...
I saved Modes
and turned it into the number one local fashion magazine.
Now all the famous brands consider Modes their first choice.
I can say that I did not fail Modes' management, its readers
or my title as The Trend Master.
Thank you.
The credit for creating miracle after miracle doesn't just go to me.
Thanks go to the comrades who have been there with me all along.
Finally, I'd like to make an announcement here.
As of the next issue,
I am resigning from the post of Modes' editor-in-chief for personal reasons.
I hope you will give your support to my successor like you did for me.
Yannes Cheung Yat-ning.
She will become the next Trendsetter.
A Year ago.
This collection is designed with metallic material. Each and every dress is unique.
Actually we're really confident about this collection.
Coupled with promotion by Modes, we'll easily create another new trend.
Thank you, girls. You may take a break outside.
Steve...Do you know what a trend is?
Something is a trend when I say it's one. It's trash when I say it's garbage.
You're asking me to devote ten pages to promoting your garbage.
No problem. You just need to trade something of equal value for that.
OK. I'll have a meeting with the Sales Department this afternoon.
Mr Ip, how many ads in Modes do you expect from us next year?
Steve, Modes' terms are all written in the agreement.
For a year from today,
your brand is not allowed to appear in any other printed publication
whether they charge a fee for that or in the form of sponsorship.
Modes will be entitled to the exclusive publishing rights for your brand this year.
In other words, you must place fold-over ads worth least $150,000 per issue
for the next five issues of Modes...
You're still hesitating? Sign it.
Long, the printer sent this over just now.
It's the cover layout for Gina's next issue.
Call the office right away.
Tell them to hold the blue print for the next issue.
Set up a meeting in 20 minutes. OK.
Hello, my name is Cheung Yat-ning.
I have a 2:30pm appointment for a job interview at Modes.
Excuse me. Is the person in charge of the Editorial Department in the office?
Sir, is your deputy editor-in-chief Danielle Shek in the office?
Excuse me, sir. Can you stop sleeping for a moment?
My name is Yan, Cheung Yat-ning.
Your deputy editor-in-chief asked me to come in for a job interview.
Job interview, right?
Wait inside that room.
Thank you.
The most important thing for a magazine is its front cover.
It directly affects its sales.
What's the most important thing for the front cover then?
Answer me.
Ada, you're the most experienced. You give me an answer.
The appeal of the star on the front page.
Zoe, your answer.
The dress has to match the image.
Meg, your answer.
I...don't know.
How long have you guys worked at Modes? How many front covers have you created?
Your answers are rubbish.
There are two taboos when shooting the front cover.
Don't tell me you guys don't know them. I want answers.
The outfit and the person on the cover can't be the same as another cover.
Exactly.
So do you know who's appearing on the front cover of Gina's upcoming issue?
It's exactly the same person as our next issue. It's Keira K.
Sorry. I overlooked that.
Perhaps there was a communication problem with her manager.
No excuses.
You're heading a team of sloppy workers. You want me to clean up the mess for you?
Modes spends so much money employing you as its deputy editor-in-chief. What for?
Which team is in charge of the front cover of the upcoming issue?
Zoe, why were you so careless?
I failed to follow through,
But Meg has been working here for a year.
I thought she was experienced enough.
So I gave her a free hand to negotiate with Keira K's manager.
Meg, how did you negotiate with them?
I told her that when our magazine is on sale,
she's not allowed to appear on the front cover of other magazines.
Her manager agreed.
Apparently she's working both companies.
I'm sure Gina's given her a lot of benefits.
Long, the magazine goes on sale in five days.
It's an embarrassment for us to use the same star.
But we can't miss the deadline.
As long as I'm still Modes' editor-in-chief,
I will never allow the duplication of a star on our cover.
I won't miss the deadline either.
I'm giving you guys five minutes to think about this.
Then tell me clearly what I should do.
Well? Five minutes are over.
No one can give me an answer?
I have made two decisions.
First, from this moment on,
I don't want to see Keira K appearing in Modes ever again.
I don't want to see this woman in our brands and events.
I want to block her completely.
Second, I want to find in two days
someone who's more topical and who possesses greater appeal
to appear on our cover and in a special column.
Our magazine will be sold on schedule without any delays.
Okay.
Who's calling?
Another loser.
Gordon, this is Ada...
Amy's movie is doing great. Call her and ask if it's OK?
OK.
Hello, this is Modes' assistant editor, Ms Lam.
May I speak to Michael in the artist department please?
Mini, how's Amy's schedule for the next few days?
Please check for me. OK. I'll wait for your call.
Danielle, a girl's here for a job interview. She's waiting in the room.
What's wrong with you?
You told her to wait in the layout room?
Miss Cheung, right? Have a seat please.
There was a special meeting just now. I'm sorry you had to wait so long.
I just waited for a short while. Actually I'm a long-time reader of Modes.
So I'm really grateful that you've given me this opportunity for an interview.
Please call me Yan.
Yan, you sent us the articles you posted online.
I've read them. For a non-professional, you write very well.
But can you tell me why you have chosen us
among so many other fashion magazines in Hong Kong?
There are eight other magazines like Modes published every month.
But I only sent an application letter to your company.
Fan, who's the girl inside?
She's here for a job interview.
You didn't know the editorial department wants to hire someone?
We're in desperate need of manpower right now.
If you don't have any special requests about our offer,
when is the earliest you can start?
Anytime. Just tell me when.
Sorry...
Hello.
I'm sorry, Yan.
Just now, the editor-in-chief said that
no matter how qualified or suitable you are for this post,
we still can't hire you.
What?
Mr Ip, I want to ask you a question.
You haven't spoken to me at all. You didn't even look at me.
Why did you decide not to hire me?
I'm Modes' editor-in-chief.
I don't need to account to anyone about whom I hire or refuse to hire.
Miss Shek promised to hire me. An oral agreement is legally binding.
I don't care if you're the editor-in-chief or The Trend Master.
You owe me an explanation. You don't call the shots here.
Feel free to file a report with the police or instruct a lawyer. I don't care.
Move your hand now.
I won't. Even if I can't work here, I still want to know the reason.
Please tell me why I'm not being hired.
OK.
J. Border's 1993 limited edition.
They worked with Takashi Yona, the master craftsman in Japan.
Only 30,000 were made worldwide.
Back then each sold for $58,000.
Today the price has gone up to $170,000.
The one you're carrying...$5,000?
Are you happy now? Will you move your hand now?
Mr Ip, Mr Chi's in a meeting. But he said it'll be over in ten minutes.
Please have a seat.
Call him now and tell him that Modes has to go to print in two days.
But the front cover isn't ready yet.
There can't be a seconds delay, let alone ten minutes.
How do you manage your own magazines?
Sales go down each issue. Ads are shrinking with each issue too.
There are four monthly magazines.
Only Modes makes money.
How can I, as the publisher, account for this to the management?
Hello.
OK. Send him in.
Come in...
Ip Long.
Shoot
I won't keep you. I'll be brief. There's good news.
Modes has been looking for an AD (advertising director) for two months.
If you take care of that too, you'll wear yourself out.
Look. I've already found you a perfect candidate.
Vincy Kei, Kei Wan-wan. I bet you've heard of her before.
I object to that.
Hey, don't say no so soon. I didn't find just anyone.
I've considered many potential candidates. There were at least 50 of them.
Vincy is really the most suitable.
Guys, given your long years of experience in magazine publishing,
do you think Vincy Kei is capable of taking the post of AD at Modes?
Of course she's capable...
I know very well who's right for Modes. Anyway I object to this woman joining Modes.
Ip Long, I know what you're thinking.
A woman whose marriage has broken down and whose husband has run off.
She can't even manage her own family. How can she make money for Modes?
But they're right.
What's the most important thing we want from an advertising director?
It's connections. She has both client and brand connections.
Enough. No matter how many times you ask me,
my answer will be the same.
I object to this.
We've both been working in the magazine business for years.
You should know the relationship
between the editorial department and the advertising department.
Were interdependent. We rise and fall together.
Right.
I want a partner,
not a washed-out socialite or a social butterfly.
I want professionalism.
If you don't have a candidate like that,
then don't waste my time asking for my opinion.
I've got a lot of work to do. Is there anything else?
Don't lose your temper. I didn't force you to take her.
You can sleep on it. OK. I won't keep you.
Bye.
Did you see that? He's like a local tyrant.
If Modes suffers a loss of however tiny an amount,
I will kill it right away together with this Trend Master.
Sweetie, you had a job interview today?
Did you get the job?
Are you going to throw a party to celebrate? If you are, I'll close earlier.
Don't forget to buy us a meal when you get your first pay check.
Hey, how was your job interview? I told you to call me right away.
Why are you so quiet?
Where's the knock-off J. Border I gave you?
How come it's turned into a plastic bag?
Lai Chi-chuen, at first I had got the job.
But I lost it because of your stupid knock-off handbag.
If my genuine 1. Border handbag hadn't been burned by your cigarette butts,
how would I have ended up like this?
Hey...What happened?
Yesterday you told me that
everything would be fine if I used the knock-off bag.
You told me that the materials and craftsmanship
are identical to the real one.
You told me that even The Trend Master wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
I really don't understand why I would listen to you.
Hey...
I've prepared a list of the names
given to me by the colleagues in the editorial department.
They can all be on the cover of our next issue.
Let me know who you decide to use.
I'll make the arrangements as soon as possible.
I'll decide later.
Danielle, ask the photography department to reserve a studio for us
so we can shoot the cover photos and prepare the special column anytime.
OK.
Danielle.
What's the matter?
Who changed the layout?
Maybe it was the girl who came for the job interview.
I'll clear the board for you.
No. Use this for the layout.
Send it to bluebook again for me to go through.
OK. Should I ask the girl to come to work tomorrow?
That won't be necessary.
Vincy, it's already been a week since your husband jumped bail. Has he contacted you?
Your husband has absconded.
Will there be financial difficulties for you?
I heard that the Commercial Crimes Bureau
has asked you to assist in the investigation. Is that true?
Are you worried that you'll be liable for his debt?
Your comments please.
Say something please.
Thank you for your concern.
I won't make anymore comments on my husband's case.
As for me, I'm fine.
I won't change just because someone has left me.
I know lots of women think
it's the end of the world when they lose their husbands.
They hide at home and cry every day.
But that won't be me because I'm Vincy Kei.
Vincy, look over here.
Over here...
Vincy, do you mean you'll file for divorce?
Look this way please...
Your comments please, Vinny.
Man, this is Ip Long. I'll accept your suggestion
and let Vincy Kei join Modes on one condition.
I want to meet her in private.
Excuse me. We're temporarily closed.
You reporters are really well informed.
Modes has approached me several times.
Is the offer not attractive enough?
Offers are never my first priority.
I only care about how challenging the job is
I got married as soon as I graduated. I've never worked before.
I think it's time I made some changes.
OK. I'll let you guys know once I've made a decision, OK?
I have an appointment with Modes' editor-in-chief later. I can't talk anymore.
Miss Kei.
Sandy, have you sold these dresses to anyone else?
They just arrived yesterday.
There are only three pieces for this including the one in the head office.
Anyway, I'll let you know right away who the other buyers are.
Thank you.
I'll pack them for you then.
Just now when I was talking on the phone, what were you two saying?
I didn't say anything.
We didn't say anything at all.
Did you two talk about me? I know you did.
What did you say about me? Tell me.
I really didn't.
Miss Kei, we really didn't say anything.
I know what you two said behind my back.
You said my husband's on the run. I'm a broke woman with a broken marriage.
But I'm still shopping for luxury brands.
I'm pretending to be rich. I'm faking being a celebrity.
And you said I'm pretending to be tough in front of other people.
That I actually cry at home every night. Right? Am I right?
Sandy. Yes.
I'll buy all the dresses I looked at just now whether I liked them or not.
OK.
Listen. I'm still really rich, even without a husband.
This ring alone costs more than all your salaries put together.
What would you like to order? Give me a minute.
OK.
Hello, Mr Ip.
My name is Kei Wan-wan. Please call my Vincy.
Man has told you everything clearly, right?
Modes is very demanding, particularly on the AD.
We are more demanding than similar magazines.
I want the brands for the ads as well as their quality and quantity
to meet a certain standard.
My standard.
Without my approval, not a single word, not to mention an entire ad,
can appear on any page of Modes.
Don't worry, chief editor Ip.
I may not have much experience running a magazine,
I can assure you that the ads I get for Modes
will be better than the existing ones
in terms of their brand, quality and quantity.
It seems you're quite familiar with the magazine.
It's been eight years since the inauguration of Modes.
I've read every single issue.
OK. How many pages do we have per issue?
We've kept to 352 to 368 pages.
No issue has exceeded 23 signatures. Ads secured by AM take up 40 percent of that
And there are two fold-over ad pages per issue.
In other words you need to get on average 4.7 pages of ads per day.
Miss Kei, are you sure you're up to that?
Look at the contact list on my phone. I only have to make three random calls.
And I'll get several pages of ads for Modes.
If you don't mind, you can give me an extra ten percent quota.
I'll still be able to handle it.
Miss Kei, I think you've missed something.
The ultimate decision-maker in Modes
isn't Man or any of the other executives in HRG. It's me.
I agreed to let you join Modes
not because of your connections or how many ads you can get for us.
It's simply because I believe we can make an exchange of equal value.
I don't quite understand.
Actually, the deal is simple.
If you want to be the head of our advertising department,
you'll have to agree to appear on our cover and in a special column.
I want you to describe, without holding anything back,
how you've really been feeling since your husband left you.
Ceci, have your heard who will become your new head?
The AD post has been vacant for two months.
I was told that Mr Chi referred a lot of candidates to Master.
But he didn't find any of them suitable. He rejected all of them.
It seems Master really wants to take charge of AM too.
I don't believe that.
There are four magazines under Mr Chi's supervision.
Only Modes won't let him lay a finger on it.
Why would he give more power to Master?
This morning when I was preparing the bluebook for Danielle,
she told me that Master would be meeting someone this afternoon.
Could he be meeting the new AD?
Do you know who he's meeting?
I heard that an account manager at Gina left last month. Could it be that guy?
Would they transfer TY directly from the finance department?
I don't know. She didn't say. I didn't bother to ask.
You guys don't need to make wild guesses.
Master called just now. He wanted Alan to prepare the studio.
He's coming in later with the cover personality for the next issue
to shoot the cover photos and do the special interview.
Ada, do you know who Master has found in place of Keira K for the cover?
I don't know. This time neither my team nor Zoe's team is involved.
Master gave the order to Danielle directly and asked her to be in charge.
I'll get back to work.
I'll get back to work too.
Meg, you're my assistant.
No matter who you work for in this company,
whether it's Danielle or Master, you have to tell me.
OK.
Pan to the left a bit. OK.
A bit more...
Miss Kei, you'll just need to look at the camera and talk.
Sit up straight.
Are you ready?
OK.
Let's start then.
Miss Kei, your husband suddenly left you. Please tell us how you feel.
That day, my husband went to work after breakfast as usual.
But he never came back. I don't know where he's gone.
I can't reach him either. I may never see this man again.
I know lots of people think that my life is over.
But I want to tell everyone that I'm different from other women.
My husband is no longer part of my life now.
But I will carry on living well.
No matter how sad or heartbroken I am, I won't shed any tears.
I know there's a long way ahead...
OK. Stop...
Alan, stop rolling. OK.
Miss Kei, this is the script I asked our deputy editor-in-chief to prepare for you.
You just need to regurgitate it.
I don't understand what you mean.
Regurgitate the script word by word, OK?
The audience doesn't want to know how tough you are.
What they want to know most
is how miserable a deserted woman is even though she used to be really glamorous.
What they want to know most is
how you pretend to look tough in front of the reporters
and how you cry sadly in secret every night, OK?
And I want tears when you talk to help boost sales.
Fine. Give me half an hour to memorize the script.
Wait...
I can regurgitate the script.
But I'm afraid I can't manage to shed any tears.
Give me the eye-drops.
Here you go.
OK?
What's the matter, Ivy?
Fifteen minutes ago, someone posted in Modes' forum
an offensive article against our editor-in-chief.
Ryan is deleting the message from this Mr A now.
I've also asked Katie to check his IP.
If there are other such messages, delete them all, OK?
Hello.
Yes.
OK. Got it.
Stop.
Just pretend I didn't say what I said just now.
Pretend you never saw the article.
I want this to be the cover photo. But we need to fine tune the color a bit.
The Trend Master is so arrogant. Actually he's really shameless.
This netizen is so mean.
Digital department still hasn't deleted the message yet.
I think Ivy is in a lot of trouble this time.
The message has been posted for hours.
It has probably spread to a lot of other sites already.
I wonder if Master knows about it yet.
Right.
Just now a reporter friend sent me a message in the online forum.
Do you guys know what it says?
Someone online called Mr A has used almost a hundred words to insult me.
He called me a liar.
He said I talk about fashion and trends all the time.
Actually I'm lying to my fans.
You see that?
This is a photo they took three years ago when I returned to Hong Kong from Milan.
He said the suitcase I used back then is a fake.
The Trend Master uses a knock-off.
How many newspapers do you think will report this?
How many magazines will use this as the headline for their articles?
If my conjecture is correct,
this article is already circulating widely online.
How do you think I should handle this?
What do you think, Fong-fong?
Ada, What do you think I should do?
Fan?
Sue him.
Good idea.
Danielle, contact legal department right away.
I want to sue the guy who spread this rumor online.
I want to sue him for defamation. I want to know who Mr A is.