Revealing Another Chapter: Why Bertrand Vergnes Decided to Tell the Story of Stylish Relay
Madrid, Spain — Sunday, July 12th, 2026
As development continues on the upcoming novel Stylish Relay and its companion animated WebTV project Stylish Relay – Childhood Days, creator Bertrand Vergnes has shared the personal story that inspired him to begin writing what has become one of his most ambitious creative endeavors to date.
For many people who know Bertrand Vergnes today, he is recognized as a language teacher, university lecturer, fashion photographer, former fashion model, magazine director, video creator, entrepreneur, and fashion designer. Others know him as a passionate enthusiast of animation, television series, science fiction, and visual storytelling.
What many people do not know is that before any of those chapters existed, there was another defining part of his life.
"In many ways, swimming was the first world that truly shaped me," Vergnes explained. "Long before photography, fashion, teaching, writing, or entrepreneurship entered my life, there was swimming. It occupied my thoughts, my time, my goals, and my dreams."
Known for maintaining a wide range of interests and professional activities throughout his life, Vergnes says that people are often surprised to discover how many different paths he has followed over the years. Yet despite the diversity of those experiences, he believes that one important chapter remained largely untold.
"Most people only know the versions of me that came later," he said. "They know the teacher, the photographer, the designer, the businessman, or the creative professional. Very few people know the story that came before all of that."
That realization ultimately became the foundation of Stylish Relay.
The novel is not intended to be a direct autobiography. Instead, it reimagines elements of Vergnes' early experiences through the fictional character of Makoto Fukuhira, creating a world where reality and imagination blend together to tell a universal coming-of-age story.
"Obviously, I never lived in Tokyo and my name isn't Makoto," Vergnes said with a smile. "But I wanted to create an elevated version of myself. I wanted to take emotions, memories, experiences, and dreams from my childhood and place them inside a romanticized world where anything feels possible."
Rather than focusing exclusively on athletic achievement, Stylish Relay explores friendship, teamwork, perseverance, personal growth, and the challenges of growing up.
The story follows Makoto and his friends as they discover that success is not simply measured by victories or rankings, but by the relationships they build and the lessons they learn along the way.
According to Vergnes, writing the novel has also become an opportunity for self-discovery.
"Every person is made of layers," he explained. "As we grow older, people see the layers that are visible today and often assume they know the whole story. But there are chapters hidden underneath that helped shape who we eventually became."
For him, Stylish Relay represents the chance to share one of those hidden chapters.
The project allows readers and future viewers to discover the world that existed before the public careers, before the businesses, before the academic achievements, and before the creative pursuits that many people now associate with his name.
"It isn't about proving anything," Vergnes said. "It's simply about telling the truth of where my journey began."
That journey began beside a swimming pool.
And through Stylish Relay, that story is finally being told.
As both the novel and animated adaptation continue development, BMedia Animation and BMedia Press Group remain committed to creating a heartfelt and inspiring story that celebrates childhood, friendship, dreams, and the unexpected paths that shape a life.
Additional information regarding Stylish Relay, Stylish Relay – Childhood Days, and future project developments will be announced in the months ahead.
Stylish Relay is an upcoming coming-of-age novel by Bertrand Vergnes inspired by elements of his early experiences in competitive swimming. Through the fictional story of Makoto Fukuhira, the novel explores friendship, teamwork, perseverance, and the journey of personal growth from childhood into adolescence.
About Stylish Relay – Childhood Days
Stylish Relay – Childhood Days is an upcoming animated WebTV project produced by BMedia Animation. Set during Makoto Fukuhira's elementary school years, the project explores the formative friendships and experiences that shape the future protagonist of Stylish Relay.
BMedia Press Group
Press & Communications Department
Additional information coming soon.
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