With a single step and a quick transformation, Melvin seemed to conjure a magical item from behind him, as if using Harry Potter's invisibility cloak, changing his appearance in an instant.
All eyes immediately focused on him.
Sam couldn't sit still. "Wait, isn't that cheating? How can he even do that?"
Melvin ignored him.
Anson remained silent.
The atmosphere was quiet, a bit awkward.
Seeing Sam's protest fall flat, Edgar, sensing the tension, cast a sympathetic glance at him. "If you regret it, you can still change your decision."
Sam's face flushed. He glanced at Edgar, then Melvin, and finally at Anson, but ultimately, he stayed silent, swallowing his words.
Seeing that Anson still wasn't going to speak, Edgar turned to Melvin and asked, "Why?"
Melvin took a deep breath. "In 'Catch Me If You Can,' Anson played a youthful, vibrant character who deceived everyone with countless lies. The film showcased this master of deception's different faces and charms. So, at the premiere, I felt we should break from tradition, take a few bold risks to reflect the character while also highlighting Anson's own charm."
The early bird catches the worm.
Even Melvin couldn't deny this.
"This also means you're not that rock-n-roll youth who inspired Eddie Slimane's designs."
"In 'Catch Me If You Can,' we needed to show your roots—behind all the daring, bold moves, the family is the foundation of everything. No matter how far you go or how long you run, in the end, you always return to the family. You can never fully abandon it."
Anson raised an eyebrow slightly. "But... Burberry?"
It was all part of a larger plan.
Melvin took another deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.
Melvin's eyes lit up because Anson's response showed he wasn't an outsider. He could see their intent and their talent.
Unexpected, but it made sense—Anson had his own understanding of fashion.
Now, it was time for the payoff.
Melvin didn't get distracted or flustered by Anson's question. In fact, it made his eyes shine brighter.
In Hollywood and the fashion world, everyone knew Anson and Dior were a match made in heaven. In just one year, Dior had become the leader in men's fashion, with Eddie Slimane's Anson-inspired collection taking the world by storm.
That's why Sam had arrived early, choosing Dior first thing—
But Melvin stayed focused.
Burberry, a traditional British brand with a royal pedigree, was even more classic, conservative, and formal than Armani.
Finally, Anson spoke up. "For youth and innovation, Dior would certainly be the better choice. But… if I'm not mistaken, you're layering Burberry underneath."
Sam grew anxious, debating whether to explain his fashion choices.
"But—"
Sam exhaled softly, regaining his composure and confidence. He knew Dior would stand out.
That was a good thing.
"Of course, you can't go wrong with Dior. I especially loved that Dior suit you wore in 'Fashion'—it perfectly matched your aura."
"Of course, Burberry represents tradition, classicism, conservatism—which might seem outdated."
"But times are changing."
In fact, at the turn of the millennium, Burberry was on the brink of collapse, struggling to survive, almost obsolete. Their designs were considered outdated, targeting an older, often elderly, demographic. They had fallen from a top-tier brand to the bottom ranks.
The crisis was unprecedented.
More harshly, Burberry had long lost its association with luxury, fashion, prestige, and royalty. It was on the verge of vanishing entirely.
A rebound was their only hope, and that's why Burberry was preparing for a complete overhaul. Dior's groundbreaking success in menswear last year signaled a new era in fashion, and it was seen as an opportunity.
It all happened last year.
"The new creative director, Christopher Bailey, is only thirty years old. He studied under Tom Ford, and Ford personally recommended him to Burberry."
"Christopher not only designs womenswear but, thanks to Dior's influence, launched a standalone menswear line in his first year—beating other brands to the punch, debuting at Milan Fashion Week earlier this year."
"Christopher's menswear focuses on tailoring and bold lines, breaking from traditional norms with daring combinations."
"A classic yet adventurous look. In my eyes, it has a lot in common with Peter Pan."
None of this was secret.
More accurately, fashion insiders knew all of this.
In February, Burberry's menswear debuted at Milan Fashion Week to rave reviews, though it didn't lead the trend like Dior. Burberry's second-quarter sales, however, surged by 30%, proof of its revival.
A year ago, Burberry was dying, but now it had new life.
This was why Melvin chose Burberry.
Christopher Bailey's design style wasn't as bold or flamboyant as Eddie Slimane's. Both focused on clean lines, aiming to break away from the bulky, traditional men's fashion. But Christopher did it with more elegance and restraint, making it a perfect fit for Burberry.
Lines. Proportions. Elegance.
The image Melvin had for Anson attending the 'Catch Me If You Can' premiere was just like that.
And then, just a bit of rebellion—
A jacket.
Clearly, this was all part of Melvin's plan. He had deliberately hidden the jacket, creating a rigid impression with the three suits, only to reveal it as the key to breaking the stalemate.
Suddenly, the impact was clear.
Who said Melvin was a goody two-shoes?
Being a goody two-shoes didn't mean he couldn't use his brains or strategy; it just meant he refused to play dirty behind the scenes.
Competition, for him, was open and honorable.
Anson's gaze fell on the jacket. Without needing any words, Melvin understood, eager to reveal the twist he had prepared—
Or rather, the highlight. Clearly, this jacket wasn't Burberry.
"This is Anson," Melvin said.
Amid the puzzled looks, Melvin elaborated.
"The premiere isn't the movie, and I'm not the costume designer for the crew. I'm dressing Anson Wood."
"So, while it complements the character and the film, the real focus is on the actor. The premiere should be your stage."
"This jacket represents Anson Wood. I believe it will become the spotlight's focus."