Hunting in Hollywood

The next day, Simon spent the morning with the 'Wonder Woman' film crew in Naples before flying to Milan in the afternoon.

In the Fierini district on the eastern outskirts of Milan, the abandoned factory where Gucci had held a major fashion show two years prior had been purchased and was being gradually transformed into Gucci's Milan division campus. Following the design style of the Daenerys Film City office loft, the site now housed over sixty employees and included a product exhibition area and a more professional runway.

Gucci's recent spring and autumn fashion shows were regularly held here.

Inside the campus's runway area, Simon briefly reviewed the preparations for the next morning's show. Without disturbing Tom Ford and his team's final rehearsal, he found a seat on a bench below the catwalk with Sofia.

"Angie will take over Gucci's European operations at the end of the year. She and Tom are both Americans and work well together, which is the most reassuring part for me," Sofia mentioned. Angie, naturally, was Angela Ahrendts, the president of Gucci America.

When Angela was initially hired, Simon and Sofia had already considered her for the top position at Gucci, and she had proven her capabilities over the past few years.

Sofia's stepping back from Gucci would allow her to focus on developing other businesses under the Van Cleef & Arpels and other brands.

As this was the original plan, Simon simply nodded in acknowledgment.

After discussing this, Sofia changed the subject: "Also, regarding the spokesperson for Van Cleef & Arpels, I'm considering a few candidates—Demi Moore, Julia Roberts, and Valeria Golino. Which one do you think is suitable?"

Given the success of 'Ghost', 'Pretty Woman', and 'Batman Begins', Demi Moore, Julia Roberts, and Valeria Golino were among Hollywood's hottest actresses.

Simon wasn't surprised not to hear Sandra's name mentioned. Though young, Sandra wasn't particularly beautiful, nor did her image fit a high-end jewelry and watch brand like Van Cleef & Arpels.

Thinking it over, Simon asked, "You're leaning towards Demi Moore, aren't you?"

Among the actresses, Demi Moore, with her supermodel past and sophisticated air, seemed a better fit for Van Cleef & Arpels.

Sofia nodded, "Julia is a bit too young, and Valeria isn't quite beautiful enough, nor does she have the right look."

In choosing the Catwoman role, Simon had considered not just the acting ability but also the physical appearance. Valeria Golino, having won the Best Actress at Venice and possessing the right youthful and adaptable appearance needed for a significant portion of Catwoman's stunts, had been given the role.

This casting choice bore similarities to Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow in the MCU, who wasn't conventionally beautiful either and whose physique was under no illusions, especially after 'Under the Skin'.

Marvel's casting had also considered these composite factors.

Without a strong preference, Simon suggested, "Since you prefer Demi Moore, let's go with her. You don't need to consult me."

"But I invited her to participate in Gucci's show, and they said she couldn't make the time."

"Really busy?"

"Not really."

At that point, Simon was somewhat speechless.

Before 'Ghost', Demi Moore had been very enthusiastic about Gucci, often attending events with her husband Bruce Willis.

After the back-to-back successes of 'Ghost' and this summer's 'A Few Good Men', Demi suddenly became 'busy'.

This excuse might work with others, but Sofia, with her connections in Hollywood, could easily verify Demi Moore's schedule.

Simon then inquired, "Did you reveal the endorsement deal to her?"

Sofia nodded, "That's why I think there's another possibility—Moore might be in talks with another brand, hence her deliberate avoidance."

"Did you find out which brand?"

"No."

"Then forget it. I don't think Moore is suitable either."

Demi Moore's rise with 'Ghost' seemed more like a fleeting success when compared to Julia Roberts, who dominated the nineties. While Roberts garnered an Oscar with 'Erin Brockovich', Demi Moore had fallen to a supporting role in 'Charlie's Angels 2'.

"So, Julia or Valeria?"

"Neither of them is suitable either."

As a high-end jewelry and watch brand, Van Cleef & Arpels needed a spokesperson who was more dazzling. Both Julia and Valeria were well-known but lacked the captivating presence required.

Thinking for a moment, Simon then suggested, "What about Nicole Kidman?"

Nicole Kidman already possessed a radiant demeanor. Considering her role in 'Moulin Rouge' and as the lead in 'Grace of Monaco', Nicole seemed perfect to represent Van Cleef & Arpels.

Sofia considered this and then shook her head, "Nicole's image is

 great, but her fame isn't sufficient yet."

Despite a striking appearance in 'Pulp Fiction', Nicole Kidman hadn't had as smooth a career trajectory in Hollywood as Sandra or Roberts. Though she wasn't short on roles, her typecast image limited her from standout performances.

Simon felt no obligation to foster the careers of the stars he helped rise; opportunities were given, and their future success was up to them.

When Nicole, caught up in the absurdity with Cindy Crawford, asked Simon for the lead in 'Jurassic Park', he refused. Nicole was too young for the botanist role.

However, Simon offered her the role of Poison Ivy in 'Batman: The Dark Knight Rises'.

After the success of the Batman series and the keen competition for the significant antagonist role of Poison Ivy among Hollywood actresses, Nicole was content not to land the 'Jurassic Park' role but to secure Poison Ivy instead.

Yet, due to plans to further perfect the envisioned special effects technology, 'Batman: The Dark Knight Rises' was scheduled to premiere in 1994, leaving a three-year gap where Nicole would need to keep busy.

"Talk to Nicole yourself about it, I'll arrange the rest. Besides, we don't need the most famous spokesperson; suitability is what matters most."

Simon said this, already considering which film could secure Nicole a stable position among the A-list actresses.

Hollywood's roster of top female stars was reaching saturation, requiring careful planning to break through.

Sofia nodded, "I'll contact Nicole as soon as possible."

After finalizing this matter, they also discussed some corresponding issues with Gucci.

Unlike Van Cleef & Arpels, Gucci had no spokesperson, a common practice among many luxury fashion and accessories brands of the era.

However, norms were meant to be broken.

With the luxury market expanding and competition intensifying over the next two decades, luxury brands began to engage spokespeople.

In the eighties, luxury brands seldom invited celebrities to shows, with most seats filled by magazine editors, journalists, or fashion buyers.

Since Gucci first successfully invited celebrities to its shows two years ago, this trend had quickly taken off.

Celebrities also realized that attending these shows was a mutually enhancing affair, and in recent years, they were very eager to participate.

Sofia had considered engaging a spokesperson for Gucci.

But as the first luxury brand she built herself, Sofia was extremely cautious. Gucci, with a complete product line, had higher demands for its spokesperson than Van Cleef & Arpels, focused solely on jewelry and watches.

Cindy Crawford had been a potential candidate.

Gucci's target demographic was urban elite women, a perfect match for Cindy's image.

However, this supermodel's style was too commercial. Not only had she started to pivot to hosting with a fashion program on MTV, but she had also taken on the role of Pepsi's spokesperson.

Gucci would never place itself on the same level as Pepsi—it would be too degrading—so Sofia completely abandoned that idea.

No suitable candidates emerged afterward.

Recently, the consideration was to select regional spokespersons for different consumer regions.

However, with Daenerys Entertainment's help, Gucci already had sufficient exposure, making the spokesperson matter less urgent.

After discussing the spokesperson issue, Sofia, noticing no one nearby, brought up another matter: "The three groups of people I recruited have gradually immigrated to the UK, South Africa, Australia, and Canada with their families. One group will stay in Europe, and the other two are expected to head to the USA to start working next month."

Sofia was referring to the former East German Stasi agents she had recruited.

Moving the selected individuals out of Germany was both a form of welfare and a means of pledging and monitoring.

Following the original plan, Sofia had chosen individuals with families.

This was a highly sensitive matter, so it was handled with utmost caution. Although East Germany had collapsed, it was uncertain if any ill-intentioned individuals might have infiltrated.

Simon had only reviewed these individuals' files and, for safety reasons, had not met any of them. Even Sofia mostly communicated with them through intermediaries.

Operating a private intelligence network was not as simple as it might seem.

Now, with substantial funds already dispersed, Simon wasn't regretful but also didn't harbor great expectations. If he could cultivate a handful of loyal individuals after several years of operation, he would be satisfied.

As another runway rehearsal started, the main models obviously couldn't attend, but most others had come personally.

Watching the models stride out to the background music, their expressions aloof, Simon and Sofia automatically paused their conversation.

Gucci had also led changes in fashion show styles.

In the eighties, fashion runways weren't as aloof as people later remembered. Models' walking styles were more casual, often in groups, with relaxed expressions, joking, blowing kisses, and winking freely.

Simon couldn't stand this lack of order, and Tom Ford was a perfectionist.

Thus, starting from

 that show two years ago, Gucci had exhibited the high-end style Simon remembered, which had quickly become popular in recent years.

Human pursuit of beauty was endless.

Despite having seen many beautiful women, Simon still enjoyed watching the parade of elegant models on the runway. Noticing many of the ladies lighting up at his presence, Sofia observed one particularly tall model casting a flirtatious glance at Simon, who returned it with a raised eyebrow, very 'thoughtfully' explaining, "That's Naja, 20 years old, just signed by Elite, and one of their key development targets next. They've even applied for a Guinness record for her as the supermodel with the longest legs."

Simon nodded, "Very nice, call her over later so I can chat with her privately."

Sofia rolled her eyes, "Do you need me to leave?"

"Of course, um, you can get busy now."

Resisting the urge to pinch the man's waist, Sofia raised her hand but stopped. Remembering something, she said, "I almost forgot to tell you, Natasha Kinski moved out of the Cannes villa."

"That's normal."

"You're not at all regretful, after spending millions?"

"A few dozen dollars for a long-lasting scandalous tale is quite a bargain."

"Not a few dozen dollars, millions of dollars."

"For me, that's just a few dozen dollars," Simon looked at Sofia, smiling, "You know, women are like cats to me."

"I feel that way too, you're discriminating."

"No, just setting no expectations."

"What does that mean?"

"Cats are like that—alert, lazy, solitary, aloof. No matter if you are rich or poor, healthy or sick, happy or sad, prosperous or struggling, they will never be loyal to you."

Sofia paused, somewhat amused but then looked seriously at Simon, "I think you're more like a cat."

"Perhaps, birds of a feather flock together."

"That's a bit pessimistic."

"Not pessimistic, just realistic."

Leaning back, Simon crossed his legs and looked towards the vibrant models on the runway, murmuring lowly, "Watching him build his high tower, watching him feast his guests, and watching his building collapse... This mossy tile pile, I've once slept a wanderer's sleep, having seen fifty years of rise and fall..."

Sofia, not understanding Chinese, felt the deep melancholy in his words. Ignoring the surroundings, she couldn't help but take his arm, comforting him softly, "I'm not a cat, neither is Janet, and well, neither is she."

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