Estelle turned to see Eva looking at her with admiration and chuckled, “I might get a big head if you keep praising me like this. Perhaps you should temper my enthusiasm a bit. By the way, who will be negotiating with us? Understanding them well and building a good rapport for successful negotiations is crucial. My designs are popular, but only a few companies can place such large orders. If we can supply jewelry for a runway show, it will open doors for more industry collaborations.”
“Ms. Wallace, a model manager. She’s just 34 but has years of experience in the industry, managing several famous models. She’s considered one of the top model managers now. Plus, she’s acquainted with Bella, who introduced her to us.”
Eva then displayed photos of Ms. Wallace from her company’s official website. In the pictures, Wallace looked confident and proud, holding her head high.
Estelle was slightly surprised but then said thoughtfully, “A model manager is handling the negotiations? It seems like this show means a lot to her. It’s going to be quite a challenge.” After a brief pause, she instructed Eva, “We need to be thoroughly prepared for the negotiation.”
Wallace had scheduled the meeting for the afternoon backstage at the runway because she had a model rehearsal. Estelle had no objections to this arrangement. She just needed to bring additional materials so she could showcase some jewelry options after meeting with Wallace.
Wallace appeared even more energetic in person than in her photo, but she was also polite. Upon seeing Estelle, she extended her hand and complimented her, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. You’re even more beautiful than I imagined. You’re even prettier than the models.”
“Thank you,” Estelle responded, deliberately changing into a more approachable outfit before the meeting to create a friendly impression. She humbly added, “The models are certainly more fit than I am. After all, they’re professionals.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Wallace replied warmly, appreciating Estelle’s modesty. She then led Estelle backstage to examine the clothing hanging on racks. She explained, “Our theme is American style, so we don’t want anything overly extravagant. We’re aiming for a down-to-earth look so that the audience can relate to these outfits. That’s why I chose models who resemble the girl-next-door types rather than those with supermodel physiques.”
While attentively listening to Wallace’s description, Estelle thought about her design. After their backstage tour, she asked, “Ms. Wallace, can we bring in a model to try out some makeup? I just got a new idea, but it requires a specific hairstyle.”
“Of course,” Wallace agreed readily. She spotted a model, Whitney, who hadn’t had her hair done yet and introduced her, saying, “This is Whitney, a new model at my agency. Let’s start with her hair.”
Whitney, a tall and pretty 20-year-old, fit Estelle’s vision perfectly. Estelle rolled up her sleeves and enthusiastically exclaimed, “Great, let’s begin.”
Wallace thought it was a sincere gesture for Estelle, Hudson Group’s CEO, to negotiate with her in person. When she saw that Estelle would even do the hair for the model, she started liking Estelle.
Estelle had brought other makeup artists and hairstylists in case they were needed, but as she applied makeup and styled the model’s hair herself, she realized she could handle everything on her own. She even used eyeshadow and eyeliner to draw a heart at the end of the model’s eyebrow.
“I’ve learned some makeup techniques to match the clothing style. Adding these little drawings can make the models appear even more charming,” she explained. She then curled the model’s hair to give it more volume.
A little while later, Whitney examined herself in the mirror and exclaimed happily, “Wow, Estelle, you’re better than the makeup artists at our agency.”
“I can’t compare to them,” Estelle modestly replied with a smile. “My goal is to coordinate the makeup with the jewelry, but the professional makeup artists will ensure that your makeup aligns with the overall show style. I believe we should follow their guidance. However, they might also adjust their approach after seeing my jewelry.”
After completing the makeup and hairstyling, Estelle instructed the makeup artists and stylists who had accompanied her to design hairstyles that matched the models’ characteristics and clothing styles. She then turned to Eva and said, “It’s time to introduce our secret weapon.”
While Hudson Group primarily focused on jewelry, offering makeup and hairstyling services was an added bonus. To showcase the differences between various materials clearly, Estelle brought a small box containing various sample products from her factory.
As ambitious and professional as Wallace was, she, like any other woman, couldn’t resist the allure of jewelry. She marveled at the delicate gems and exclaimed in amazement, “This is incredible! You have such a wide range of materials and styles without repetition. No wonder Bella recommended you to me.”
Upon Wallace mentioning Bella, Estelle gained a new appreciation for her products’ excellent reputation. She continued enthusiastically, “These designs are patented. I’ve brought these sample products along to make it easier for customers to make their selections.”
“That’s a great idea!” Wallace exclaimed. She carefully examined the gemstones and selected agate and crystal based on their price and shine. She said with anticipation, “I’ve been part of a runway show where the organizers provided glossy jewelry like this before, and it worked really well.”
Eva, confident in their potential success, swiftly took notes of Wallace’s preferences on her iPad. Simultaneously, she messaged the company’s legal team, instructing them to prepare a valid contract as quickly as possible.
Estelle was fully engaged in conversation with Wallace and noticed the model manager admiring the beautifully dressed models. She suggested, “It will take a few days to produce the finished pieces. Why don’t you try them on now?”
“Me?” Wallace asked in surprise. “It might not be quite appropriate for a model manager to wear the jewelry. How about Whitney? She’s a model. Where is she?”
Another model, while having her makeup done, replied, “Whitney went to change into her outfit. The stage designer needed a model dressed up to test the lighting on stage, so they had her put on the clothes and try it out.”
Wallace couldn’t find anyone available to try on the jewelry, so she hesitated and asked, “Can I really try them on?”
“Of course,” Estelle assured her with genuine enthusiasm. “There’s absolutely nothing inappropriate about a model manager wearing jewelry. Please, give me the opportunity to see how they look on you.”
Estelle guided Wallace to sit in front of the dressing table and envisioned an elegant image for her adorned with jewelry that complemented her features. She continued, “Ms. Wallace, your natural style is perfectly suited for the 2000s aesthetic. Some subtle accessories can accentuate your own unique charm.”