Composure Magazine – Boring No More

Trend story written for Composure Magazine, read the full story here!  Purchase the print issue here!

 

 

 

Audrey Magazine – KUMANN YOO HYE JIN

Inside South Korean Label KUMANN YOO HYE JIN – Min A. Lee For Audrey Magazine

“Futuristic Folklore” is a befitting title to understanding HyeJin Yoo’s perspectives on spring fashion with her presentation for KUMANN YOO HYE JIN 2015.  This isn’t a collection for those who prefer safer, ready-to-wear lines. This is about appreciating symbolism, engineering and a bit of mathematics.  Beauty is found within the heavily structured looks with a nod towards today’s science fiction animation and technology printed on pastel jacquards, organzas and cottons.  Yes, those are definitely spaceships.  If you aren’t into sci-fi, she has equally interesting and provoking designs in neutral to bright shades.

Yoo works endlessly to create masterpieces that are becoming the future we can expect from the Kumann studio, while she continues to build stability for the label.  We knew viewing her clothing would bring thoughtful discussion, so we reached out to learn more about this designer that expertly molds together so many contrasting ideas into a well-balanced and fluid collection.

Audrey Magazine: When you became the head of Kumann, how did you want to redefine the label, and how do feel that style translates into your current SS 2015 collection?

HyeJin Yoo: Kumann is the name originated from the early studio of the company. When I decided to start working on the label, I felt that I needed to reconsider the story of the studio, and its original value and identity. I have been re-identifying the brand’s characters in constructive design and original graphic patterns, which are based on different concepts of seasonal collections. Particularly, for spring and summer 2015, I interpret the concept of the future and folklore with specific color arrangements and computer-embroidered spaceship images made in 3D graphics.

AM: With the SS 2015 concept of “Futuristic Folklore,” have you always had an interest in those patterns and sci-fi animation?  What inspired you to put the two concepts together as one?

HJY: Sci-fi movies and ideas of cyborgs have been greatly influencing my ideas. I am directing the brand as a high-end boutique, but I do love to mix it up with images and symbols from sub-culture. I have also been very much interested in the theoretical ideas of time and space in a parallel universe, and in Buddhism. Basically, I think that people are very accustomed to a dichotomous way of thinking. Dualism affects our perceptions and languages by dividing things in the extreme, but I think that any of those two extremes could be blended just like other previous concepts, ‘Nostalgic Future’ and ‘Urban Shamanist’.

AM: What sort of emotions do you hope to evoke for viewers and wearers of your designs?

HJY: I am drawing a woman who wears uniqueness and originality of her own. I hope both viewers and wearers have exceptional experiences and at the same time will feel assertive and happy.

AM: Can you share with us some of the challenges and accomplishments you’ve had with your current collection?

HJY: Making clothes is accompanied with various problems, especially a small boutique business like us. I am trying to set stable and secure finances to save the scale of business. Since we have launched the brand named KUMANN, we also just opened a shop with a mid-low brand ‘K. kumann’ last September at DOOTA in Seoul. I am hoping that it could be a good start to keep the business safe. – See more at: http://audreymagazine.com/inside-south-korean-label-kumann-yoo-hye-jin/#sthash.BPRxtElV.dpuf

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All Photos Courtesy Of Audrey Magazine Via Kumann

Layout Design – Peter Pilotto Collab

Two page magazine layout spread design done for a print magazine during the Target x Peter Pilotto Collaboration of Fashion Editor favorites – Min A. Lee

Fashion Writing – Catherine Litke

The Perfect Options For Those Summer Days & Nights!  Clothes That Make You Feel Lovely By Designer Catherine Litke – Min A. Lee (Print Magazine)

Litke provides the perfect designs for those summer date nights—think late night movies in the park, summer concerts, picnics on the waterfront, and of course our favorite, margaritas on a patio bar.  While we do adores the more hardened, dark designs of fall and winter sometimes a little bit of girlish charm goes a long way.  Classic, midi-length skirts are paired with vibrant tops, but the soft patterns and feminine trims prevent designs from feeling over-the-top.

Instead of a consistent color scheme, Litke makes great use of all the hues life has to offer.  From pale blues and beiges to statement plaids of various reds, greens and yellows, they give women the option to spice up their outfits even if they opt for a simple cream and ruffled top.  With a doll-like presentation, some of our favorites were the ivory dresses cut to interesting, unorthodox shapes.  It is truly like finding the perfect summer dress without getting fashion boredom.

Even better, Litke’s brand statement explains that her collections are created from “sustainable materials sourced from around the world.”  Not only will you feel quite lovely in her clothing, but you also can feel the impeccable textiles she picks for her lines.  So when the temperatures warm up and you are ready to enjoy those summer afternoons and evenings make sure you consider adding a bit of Catherine Litke’s work to your closet.

Audrey Magazine – Interview With KUMANN’S Yoo Hye Jin

Article Written For Audrey Magazine

Inside South Korean Label KUMANN YOO HYE JIN by Min A. Lee

“Futuristic Folklore” is a befitting title to understanding HyeJin Yoo’s perspectives on spring fashion with her presentation for KUMANN YOO HYE JIN 2015.  This isn’t a collection for those who prefer safer, ready-to-wear lines. This is about appreciating symbolism, engineering and a bit of mathematics.  Beauty is found within the heavily structured looks with a nod towards today’s science fiction animation and technology printed on pastel jacquards, organzas and cottons.  Yes, those are definitely spaceships.  If you aren’t into sci-fi, she has equally interesting and provoking designs in neutral to bright shades.

Yoo works endlessly to create masterpieces that are becoming the future we can expect from the Kumann studio, while she continues to build stability for the label.  We knew viewing her clothing would bring thoughtful discussion, so we reached out to learn more about this designer that expertly molds together so many contrasting ideas into a well-balanced and fluid collection.

Audrey Magazine: When you became the head of Kumann, how did you want to redefine the label, and how do feel that style translates into your current SS 2015 collection?

HyeJin Yoo: Kumann is the name originated from the early studio of the company. When I decided to start working on the label, I felt that I needed to reconsider the story of the studio, and its original value and identity. I have been re-identifying the brand’s characters in constructive design and original graphic patterns, which are based on different concepts of seasonal collections. Particularly, for spring and summer 2015, I interpret the concept of the future and folklore with specific color arrangements and computer-embroidered spaceship images made in 3D graphics.

AM: With the SS 2015 concept of “Futuristic Folklore,” have you always had an interest in those patterns and sci-fi animation?  What inspired you to put the two concepts together as one?

HJY: Sci-fi movies and ideas of cyborgs have been greatly influencing my ideas. I am directing the brand as a high-end boutique, but I do love to mix it up with images and symbols from sub-culture. I have also been very much interested in the theoretical ideas of time and space in a parallel universe, and in Buddhism. Basically, I think that people are very accustomed to a dichotomous way of thinking. Dualism affects our perceptions and languages by dividing things in the extreme, but I think that any of those two extremes could be blended just like other previous concepts, ‘Nostalgic Future’ and ‘Urban Shamanist’.

AM: What sort of emotions do you hope to evoke for viewers and wearers of your designs?

HJY: I am drawing a woman who wears uniqueness and originality of her own. I hope both viewers and wearers have exceptional experiences and at the same time will feel assertive and happy. – See the entire interview and more at: http://audreymagazine.com/inside-south-korean-label-kumann-yoo-hye-jin/#sthash.osq7wgVB.dpuf