Why should we respect LEDU?
LEDU doesn't respect us, so why should we respect LEDU?
This is real leather, so it's hard to cut,
but it's good to cut with scissors.
When you're feeling stressed, give it a try.
Wait for it.
You see this?
LEDU, are you watching?
Bye, LEDU!
Does he have to resign?
Given the gravity of his words, yes, I think Vincent Ledu should resign.
Well, that's pretty clear!
Nelly, tell me honestly.
Am I worse than Mussolini, Franco, or Ceaușescu?
Because they were allowed to keep their medals.
- Vincent? - Hello, Madam Minister.
Seoul wants to recall its ambassador.
Asia is in an uproar.
You know how important that market is, and not just for the luxury sector.
Isn't taking my medal enough?
Foreign Affairs is pressuring me.
They need to send a strong message.
And personally, Vincent, I do too.
You understand what I'm asking you?
You want my head.
I understand very well, Madam Minister.
PARISIAN COUTURE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION ACADEMY
Infringement of intellectual property, libel, counterfeit.
Have you lost it?
I know you wanted to make a statement.
And it worked.
Our lawsuit has nothing to do with our desire to work with you.
That's called blackmail.
Let me clarify. Doppel will always be independent.
We'll never work for a group. Especially not Rovel.
Tell me,
why did the Fashion Guild invite an obscure Berlin brand
like Doppel to show in Paris?
You already work for us.
Who are you? The mafia?
Nikita is doing his first show for Rovel this afternoon.
You're on the list.
We'll be able to chat.
It's us versus Diane Rovel, France's richest woman.
We'll call her out in public.
She owns 75% of the media.
- Shit. We could lose Doppel. - So, what's the deal?
If we say no, will they throw us in jail?
It's Perle Foster.
She wants to see us later.
Is that an order?
We're not going.
Hello, Madame.
Are you following the latest fashion drama?
We'll explain why everyone hates Vincent Ledu.
He was filmed saying this:
"I've had it with that mafia of dog-eating peasants."
Shocked? We are.
Vincent Ledu is an institution.
A national monument, as irreplaceable as the Eiffel Tower.
- Until... - Racist! Racist!
Now everyone's dropping him.
Even his muse, Perle Foster.
Despite a 25-year collaboration with the Maison,
his eternal muse refused to model for him.
LEDU is one of the last independent French maisons.
Can it survive this crisis?
Especially if Vincent is kicked off his throne.
The Ledu Family needs a successor, fast.
WANNA BET?
We're betting on the natural heir, the nephew Robinson.
His first LEDU collection was to be presented ten years ago.
He's still waiting, and so are we.
Excuse me.
Looking for Marwa?
Fourth from the left.
Thanks.
Please close the door.
Have you ever had stuff stolen from your phone?
Like what? Dick pics?
Forget it.
Shit.
Vincent?
Thank you, Nelly.
You see, Robinson, talent is like good wine.
It ages slowly.
It's true that yours has required a great deal of aging.
Since your... attempt a few years ago.
My epic failure, you mean.
- Don't be so hard on yourself. - Those were your words.
Then you banished me to PR.
I stopped doing what I loved most, designing.
I gave you that job to help you get back on your feet.
But deep down, you gave up years ago.
Robinson, you're talented.
Very talented.
You always have been.
You were simply ahead of your time.
In any case, today,
you're the only person who can take my place at Maison LEDU.
- Is this Grandma's? - Yes.
She would want it to stay in the family.
You're going to do a very good job.
Of course, I'll help you out at first.
- Robinson is the wrong strategy. - Excuse me? None of your business.
Sorry, Robbie. Nothing personal.
You've got some nerve after last night.
You shouldn't have asked me to model.
My job is to save this Maison, not you.
The only viable strategy, what the Maison needs, is a fresh start.
Not more of the same.
Paloma Castel.
- What? - Yes!
What does that gutter punk have more than me?
She's a biracial woman who's socially committed.
She and her associate embody everything we don't.
On top of that, she has a vision.
Not sure that matters.
I know you... barely knew her and you hate wokeism--
You know nothing!
Thank you for your suggestion.
But it's not your decision to make.
Very well.
Let the Maison's shareholders vote.
- Hello, Paloma. - Hello.
I expected the Ritz to throw me out.
You don't like my local hangout?
Sit down.
So?
Are you signing with Rovel?
They're suing us.
They plan to drown us in legal fees if we don't sign.
But we're only here because you want to do the same.
A lawsuit for hijacking your logo.
Vincent Ledu couldn't even be bothered to tell me himself.
- Tell him we'll put up a fight-- - Stop. I can tell you're riled up.
I have a question.
You know why they want you so badly at Rovel?
Doppel doesn't interest them. You do.
They want to buy themselves an ecological conscience.
Like everyone.
But you represent much more to them.
Diane Rovel is obsessed with Maison LEDU.
Maybe, but my name is Castel.
LEDU won't sue you.
We're offering you a job.
Come replace Vincent as artistic director.
But that's absurd!
What on earth would Ye-Ji and I do at LEDU?
Your thing.
I won't bullshit you.
The daughter of Vincent's true love-- It's a great story.
Especially in fashion.
LEDU is above all... a family business.
Wow. You're all insane.
The story you want doesn't exist.
What family are you talking about?
When my father died, Vincent kicked us out.
I was two, and when--
I was 11 when my mom died.
I found myself all alone.
Where was the family then?
Did you know my father or not?
I'm sure the answers you're looking for are at LEDU.
Hello, Madame Ledu.
Thank you for coming.
I hope the guillotine didn't hurt too much.
So,
I assume you intend to vote for your own flesh and blood.
I could ask you the same thing.
You really want to joke about that?
Some things are off-limits, Marie.
Even between us.
So... for Robinson, is that a yes?
Backing your son, for once.
Robinson doesn't have what it takes.
He proved it to us.
We're talking about the Maison's survival.
Have you noticed that in big families, the eldest always inherits more?
Darling, if you're asking for the manor, I can tell you right now the answer is no.
No.
I don't want the manor. I want the Isle of the Dead.
This painting will be the showpiece of my foundation.
Your foundation?
You mean your imaginary art foundation?
Vincent, say yes.
Yann and I will consider voting for whomever you want.
Even Robinson.
Bravo, Nikita.
You took everyone by surprise with this collection.
I prefer to call it a reflection.
Like a Fall-Winter reflection?
The grammar of my work doesn't follow the diktats of the seasons.
Congrats, Nikita!
What a stroke of genius!
Welcome to the Rovel family.
It was stunning!
Thank you for everything, Madame Rovel.
What did you think?
Next season, I want his "reflection" to be wearable.
Or he's on a charter back to Georgia.
It's Victor.
You must be stuck in the metro, which explains why you're not here.
We're on our way.
Save us some champagne.
We've come to do exactly what you wanted.
Victor.
The bastard daughter stood us up.
- Yes? - A word on your brother?
I've already made a statement.
Too bad.
Vincent Ledu is living proof that it's possible
to be both brilliant and frighteningly stupid.
What are you doing?
Stop!
At Rovel, we chose youth and diversity long ago.
That's why I hired Nikita.
Youth is always--
- Excuse me, Agnès. - See you later, Diane.
Go, go. There's a scoop.
- Find those little punks. - I'll take care of it.
Your husband wants to take my place?
But no one's afraid of him.
Not even teenagers acting out.
You two are a perfect match.
We're screwed now.
There's more to life than fashion. We'll do something else.
- Ye-Ji-- - I dunno, an NGO, permaculture--
Ye-Ji?
What would you say if...
if we became artistic directors for LEDU?
What?
Is that why Perle wanted to see us?
Palo, LEDU is toast!
Vincent Ledu is, not the brand.
- And it's not a group, it's independent. - More like a nursing home.
Exactly! We could breathe new life into it.
We know how to do ready-to-wear.
But couture, haute couture--
How many maisons do haute couture today?
I know how many, thanks.
We said we'd never work for that kind of maison.
Did you forget?
But... we'd have carte blanche.
Are you kidding?
They'll give us their spiel on the "LEDU way."
Our hands will be tied.
Are you okay being their token minority?
Wow.
I know it's silly.
But my father spent 15 years of his life there.
I feel like it's a way... of getting closer to him.
I get it.
But Paris, fame and all, it's just not my thing.
Can you see me at LEDU?
I don't fit the mold. It'll never work.
Here in Paris, you're Paloma Castel.
That's what they want. Somebody's daughter, not a nobody.
That's ridiculous. I'm a nobody too.
I can't do it, Palo.
I want to go back to Berlin.
Don't be stupid. Come home with me.
Deal with it. Pull out the graffiti videos online.
I have to go.
- Hello? - Hello, darling.
We're calling a special shareholders' meeting tomorrow.
Are you free, or will you be sending a proxy?
He's quitting, is that it?
What do you think?
Perle?
Perle!
Yes, dear?
What's the damn agenda?
The election of Vincent's successor.
Robinson, the official candidate, or the outsider, Paloma Castel.
You screwed me over.
Last time I saw you, you wanted me to run off with you.
Since then, the Maison has collapsed, you're trying to steal Paloma,
and I only talk to your voice mail.
What exactly are you accusing me of?
Nothing yet.
Let's just say we had the same idea about Paloma.
And she agreed to come?
Between the big bucks and the quest for her father, I'm sure she'll accept.
So...
will you consider voting for her?
Are you joking?
Better to have her at LEDU than not at all at Rovel.
Bernard, I'll call you back.
Vincent is finished.
We vote on his successor tomorrow.
Robinson...
versus Paloma Castel.
Are you shitting me?
No.
I left her to them on purpose.
We wait two seasons for the graft to take.
Then we scoop up the package, LEDU and Paloma.
I'll go back into the family fold to better position our pawns.
After his defeat... Robinson will eat out of our hands.
What if your nephew wins?
It's so strange.
No one's here. Not a single client.
When the world ends and the human race is decimated,
Marwa Jallab will still buy couture.
Is she here?
Clients like Marwa are our reason for being.
Wow! Gisele Bündchen is in da house!
Well...
I really like this pleating.
It's-- It's a bit... ordinary.
Ordinary?
Three hundred hours of work, fifty meters of handmade lace,
forty embroiderers, a river of organza.
What more do you want?
It's not the dress, Robbie.
I support you.
I love Vincent, and I love you. You've always been my darlings.
But to wear LEDU, now?
Too ballsy, even for me.
Thank you, Solal.
When I need a lint brush, I'll let you know.
Darling... we all end up banging the gardener.
Don't worry.
Marwa, you can't drop us.
Not you.
Wait a day or two, I'll show you something a little bit more futuristic.
- Yes? - Still couture.
But less "Vincent."
So Vincent's out?
Who's his successor?
There are names.
I can't tell you more.
My lips are sealed.
Do you know who sends them?
I'm paid to change them every day.
That's all I know.
Always the same flowers.
Black arums.
I imagine they were his favorite flowers?
Probably.
Goodbye.
Hey, Dad.
I need a little sign.
What should I do?
Hi, Paloma.
Okay. I'll do it.
You made a good choice.
I want 100% recycling.
No more fashion calendar.
No more leather. And a short-term goal of carbon neutrality.
Take it or leave it.
Okay.
But first, you must be elected at the shareholders' meeting tomorrow.
Then we'll discuss details.
Who are the shareholders? Guys in suits?
No, worse.
The entire Ledu clan.
Vincent, Victor, Marie, her husband, Yann, and their son Robinson.
But it's only a formality, don't worry.
We're excited you're coming.
I'm sure we'll do great things together.
Okay.
Speak to you soon.
It's the piano teacher.
Thank you, Doctor.
How do you feel today, Madame Rovel?
Like Popeye on steroids.
You know,
the support of loved ones is a significant plus in terms of recovery.
Not for a woman like me.
Want some?
If I don't get Paloma elected tomorrow, your mother will never trust me again.
Vincent bought Marie's vote.
I'll never have a majority.
The video of Vincent.
It's from Robinson's phone.
What?
- Robinson's your mother's source? - It's someone they call "Navarre."
That person found the video in your nephew's phone.
Being a wallflower has its advantages. My mother...
forgets to be discreet around me.
Why didn't you tell me right away?
Your mother doesn't trust me.
She's testing you.
To her, you're still a Ledu.
She thinks that Perle still has you by the...
You know how vulgar she can be.
I don't care what she thinks.
I don't want you to think that.
And Robinson, how did he get the video?
I know the way, thank you.
Not too bitter that you bet on the wrong horse?
Robinson, did you know about the Isle of the Dead?
The Böcklin painting in the dining room in Brittany.
It always gave me the creeps. I don't understand why Mom loves it.
She never got over Grandpa leaving it to Vincent.
Well, Vincent gave it to her.
In exchange for her vote.
You actually came?
Couldn't you vote by proxy as usual?
I thought it would be better for us to get together, given the circumstances.
It's good to see you all.
And not at a funeral.
Let's get started.
Perle, I'll have to ask you to step out.
Vincent, don't start.
What?
She's neither a family member nor a shareholder.
This vote is confidential.
You're the stickler for tradition.
You should agree.
Perle, thank you.
Thank you, Marie.
Now then.
Let's see.
Excuse me?
Miss Foster.
Victor Ledu asked me to escort her to the conference room.
Time to vote.
Robinson.
Robinson. Me.
And you, Marie?
There is one thing I'd like to share with you before the end of this vote.
If I may.
Miss, come in.
Perle, you can come. You need to hear this as well.
This is Miss Cioni.
She's a waitress at the Ministry of Culture.
Robinson, I believe you've met.
All good.
The wire came through.
Follow me.
Did you really think you'd replace me, you little weasel?
You planned this whole thing.
I tried to prevent the video from spreading.
- To protect the family at least. - What a strange sense of family.
You sold your son for a painting! You're one to talk.
At least I wanted to vote for you.
Why did you keep it in your phone?
Okay, I should have deleted it!
But it was stolen from me.
I didn't send it.
Hard to imagine, I know.
Says the PR director of this Maison.
This is all because of you!
I am being tried in the court of public opinion because of you!
I'm sorry.
Forgive me.
I don't deserve this.
It's fake, you fool!
Did you really think you'd replace me?
Your only talent is being a loser!
Vincent, make yourself some warm milk.
You're all so pathetic.
Let's go outside. It's safer.
What now?
A picnic?
No Wi-Fi around here. The Maison might be bugged.
Our phones too.
I repeat, I wasn't at the cocktail party.
- So, there is one candidate left. - No.
I'm no longer resigning. The meeting is adjourned.
Louise is more mature than you.
Who's Louise?
My daughter.
You saw her once.
You no longer have a choice.
If you remain the head of LEDU...
the Maison will go bankrupt.
You'll end up with nothing.
Neither the lifestyle nor the honors.
Who are you to lecture me, Tracy Foster?
I pulled you out of the gutter.
I made you from top to bottom.
I got rid of the stench of your parents' fish and chips
that you brought in your suitcase to Paris.
Without me, right now, you'd be working at Sephora.
At best!
And you--
You need to understand something, Vincent.
I am not your muse, your thing, your wife, daughter, or shrink.
I am the director of this Maison,
even if you've always refused to give me the title.
So, you don't talk to me like that.
Not anymore.
Yes, you pulled me from the gutter.
But now I'm the one who can pull you out.
So choose your words carefully.
Marie.
We have a deal. Remember?
You're right, Vincent.
All I care about is me and my "little foundation,"
which will never succeed if you're in this position.
Sorry, honey.
I vote that we revote.
For Paloma Castel.
That's that.
We all stabbed him.
Like in Murder on the Orient Express.
The waitress, how did you know?
This is my company too.
I did what you should have done.
In fact, you should thank me.
And not just for that.
You deserve your title.
I'm going to push for you to get it.
Once things die down a bit.
We can't see each other anymore, Perle.
I can't divorce Caroline.
You're the only one who believed you could.
I'm sorry.
No. Don't make me the poor victim.
Show me some respect.
The two of us have never managed to be more... than this.
I'm fired?
Aren't I?
Don't be so dramatic.
Just take a vacation.
A one-way ticket to the land of "take time for yourself"?
Go visit your father.
He'd love to see you.
I'm not quite that desperate, thanks.
With you, people only get one chance.
Holding people to high standards is our one true luxury.
It makes us who we are.
And sometimes it's hard.
Disappear for a while, honey.
It's better for everyone.
Okay?
So, you'll take it?
Sure, if it's all you've got.
If you don't need me, I'll let you get settled.
Okay.
Thank you, Solal.
Goodbye, Mademoiselle Castel.
So you're staying?
You really thought I'd leave you alone with the Addams Family?
I got Paloma Castel hired at LEDU.
You want a pat on the head?
What's your plan to bring me LEDU?
I went over the shareholders' agreement.
We know this agreement protects your family from a buyout.
But we're good at jumping obstacles.
I expect you to bring me the things I can't buy.
Their weaknesses.
Their deepest fears, their most secret desires.
One Ledu to convince them all.
That's right up my alley.
Where do we start?
Your sister?
No.
We won't find anything on her. She's careful.
No.
Let's start with the weakest link.
Very mature.
Where are you going with that aggrieved diva look?
I'm going home.
To do what?
Grocery shopping.
Like 99% of the population who don't have a private chef.
Why? Need a lint brush?
I've forgiven you.
Wouldn't you rather come to my place instead?
Got a wok in your kitchen?
Maybe.
What's a wok?
But I love the idea of my boyfriend cooking for me.
"Boyfriend"?
You live in a fairy tale.
My current boyfriend.
Nice and easy.
You're spilling it all over, Palo!
Okay.
A toast to our future collection...
at LEDU.
No, wait a minute. You're the artistic director.
I'm just the studio director
who splashes around in the pool while you pull all-nighters.
That's what'll happen.
- Yes. - No.
No!
It'll be the same as always.
And if I ever become like them, tell me.
Okay?
Or if you accidentally call me a dog-eating peasant.
Hey.
Don't think about him.
What am I going to say to him?
How about, "Hi, I'm your dead lover's kid. Can you please tell me about my dad?
And by the way, I hope you're cool with me replacing you."
That's a good start.
Welcome, Mademoiselle Castel.
Please, through here.
I was very intimidated too the first time I came here.
Welcome to the Hôtel de Beauvais.
A thank-you gift from Louis XIV to Cateau la Borgnesse,
the chambermaid who deflowered him.
Thank you for agreeing to a Sunday visit.
For the moment, we need to be discreet.
Until the official announcement, okay?
Okay.
That's the studio.
Over there, the workshop, the stockroom.
In the left wing, PR and the back office.
What's up there? Is that--
Vincent's apartment.
When do I meet him?
We want to let you get your bearings.
Follow me?
My father isn't anywhere?
Vincent is old-school.
Posing with a man in a family photo...
Boomer through and through.
Let's just say it's always complicated to exist around him.
But Gino managed, in his own way.
I want to show you something.
Gino convinced Vincent to let him create something inside the Maison.
A revolution.
He didn't have time to finish it.
He named his painting La Paloma.
Why is it hidden behind a curtain?
Like everything else connected to Gino, it's too painful for Vincent.
I'm sorry.
This may be too intense an introduction.
Please leave it open.
Can I stay here a minute?
Of course.
I'll be in my office.
Staring at it in a trance won't bring him back.
People only disappear for good when we stop thinking about them.
I see.
So that's why you're here.
A little pilgrimage looking for your childhood?
But... you run the risk of getting hurt, and being disappointed too.
You know...
it's just a painting.
Gino and everything about him don't exist for me anymore.
Sorry.
Good evening, mademoiselle.
Incidentally, you really should visit the bathroom stall
in the club where you were conceived, quick and dirty.
It's legendary.
Vincent!
I don't think you understand how this is going to go down.
I'm the AD now.
And I don't want to see you in my Maison anymore.