50s: Starting with a storage ring

Chapter 822 Clothes Ordinary People Can't Afford
"These super tailor shops are basically found in major European countries, but the tailors who serve each country are different. The French are picky and troublesome, the Italians are short-tempered, and only the shops in London have the best temperaments."

"And the shops in London refer to the old clothing workshops concentrated on Savile Row in London."

“Among them, more than a dozen garment workshops have regular customers. They never open to the public, and I have never seen them. I can’t even find out their prices.”

“They are among the people here today, but they are very low-key, and I don’t know who they are.”

"As for the next level of top-tier tailoring workshops, I do know a few British shops: Anderson-Sheppard and H-Huntsman are examples."

"There are probably 10 to 15 such top-notch tailoring workshops, and these are the best bespoke workshops I could find."

"The master tailor workshops are open to the public. They deal in ready-to-wear, full bespoke, and semi-bespoke clothing. In terms of history, tailoring, craftsmanship, and reputation, they are among the world's best."

“A three-piece men’s suit made from them costs around £3000 to £4000.”

“A fully bespoke suit on Savile Row typically takes 4-12 weeks, involving three fittings and adjustments, and that’s with the client in London.”

"In fact, many American women who order clothes when Savile Row's top tailors visit the United States have to wait up to a year for them."

"The next level is the near-top-level. The skills and craftsmanship of such shops are similar to those of the dozen or so top-level tailors. Their tailors all come from those dozen or so top-level tailor shops."

"It's just a near-top-tier tailor shop. Without historical accumulation and various gimmicks, its reputation isn't that great. Kiton and Brioni in Italy, and Oxxford in the United States are all at this level."

"There are three levels below that, and those are no longer considered high-end luxury brands."

"The first tier includes Italian brands like Rubinacchi and Caraccini from Milan; the second tier includes brands like Zegna and Canali; and the third tier includes mass-market brands like Armani."

A single outfit costs several thousand pounds, which is about $5000 to $6000, equivalent to half a year's salary for an average white-collar worker like America.

Custom-made clothing is more than just clothes; in some situations, it's like a business card. If you don't understand these things, it means you're not high-class enough, and some businesses won't even consider you.

Sun Zhiwei stroked his chin, thinking that he was pretty much the same as others. It was only because he had a cheat code that he could achieve what he had. Otherwise, he would not have been able to reach this level. He would probably have been defeated before he even got started.

Now, he has carved out his own niche through sheer ability and reached this level, so others have no choice but to acknowledge his status.

Carlson was the first to extend an olive branch. Once he understood this logic, he was more aware of the situation and wouldn't behave too badly because of Carlson or anyone else who showed him goodwill later.

After that, Carlson continued to introduce the various people in the audience, some of whom were wealthy individuals from around the world, and others were agents of large families.

Just as the auction was about to begin, the guests in the first row came over from the adjacent lounge to take their seats.

The people in the first row are the real big shots; Sun Zhiwei only recognized two of them.

One of them is a tycoon who came to China last year to discuss a deal worth 100 million. One finger holds 100 million. He is a real big shot, a prince who will inherit the throne in the future. I didn’t expect him to come to the auction in person.

Another was Diana, Queen Elizabeth's mother's secretary.

Eleven years ago, when he was studying in London under his real identity, he received a pure gold business card from the other party. Although he never used the card, he still keeps it in a small box in his space as a souvenir.

Carlson also gave a detailed introduction to Ms. Diana. As a Briton, Carlson was naturally very familiar with this close secretary who was known as the "Iron Lady's" shadow.

Sun Zhiwei originally thought that there was no need to introduce people he knew, but he still heard some information he didn't know from Carlson.

"When Ms. Diana said she was a secretary, it would be more accurate to say she was the Queen Mother's personal maid."

"She was by the old queen's side when she was a child and followed the queen for more than half a century. It's just that in modern times the royal family has kept up with the times and no longer wants to use such an outdated term as 'maid'."

Carlson's introduction of Lady Diana made Sun Zhiwei suddenly realize why Lady Diana had so much power, practically acting as the Queen's representative in public.

This is not a privilege that an ordinary secretary would have. Although the Queen is now retired, her implicit influence is still enormous.

At the same time, the old queen also controlled her dowry and the substantial inheritance she had received from the old king.

All this influence and financial resources are now in the hands of Diana alone. If she weren't someone very close to Diana, how could she dare to do this? Wouldn't she be afraid of being drained dry?

But the old Queen is doing very well now, which is enough to prove that Ms. Diana was loyal to the old Queen.

Some people may not have a clear concept of Diana's position, so here are a few examples and analogies.

One is Alfred, Bruce Wayne's old butler in the movie "Batman".

Alfred helped Bruce manage all the family's logistics and business; it's fair to say that without the old butler Alfred, there would be no Batman.

Another is Mrs. Vachi, the housekeeper of Professor Alexander, the protagonist of the movie "The Time Machine".

Mrs. Vachier helped Alexander manage the whole household; otherwise, Professor Alexander would have been a lazy, incompetent, and clueless man.

Diana served as both a housekeeper and personal maid to the late Queen Elizabeth II, a common practice in aristocratic families in old England.

After learning about Diana's importance, Sun Zhiwei asked Carlson somewhat hesitantly, "I wonder what kind of jewelry the Queen has taken a fancy to?"

"Should we remove the jewelry that the Queen had her eye on from the auction and send it to Ms. Diana instead?"

Carlson thought for a moment before replying, "If we had known this in advance, it would have been appropriate to withdraw the item from the auction and send it over as a gift."

"However, it would be inappropriate to do this now that Ms. Diana has already entered the auction room. The Queen is not short of money, and it would be impolite to give her something she is sure to get as a gift."

Sun Zhiwei didn't quite understand why he used the phrase "something that must be obtained," so he looked at Carlson with some doubt.

Carlson pointed knowingly to the auction floor below and explained, "Most of the people here should know Lady Diana. When Lady Diana takes a liking to an item, unless you're a complete idiot, there shouldn't be many people competing with the old Queen."

(End of this chapter)