womenswear – Min A. Lee

Audrey Magazine – Interview With KUMANN’S Yoo Hye Jin

Published on March 14, 2016March 14, 2016 by Battletag OuchiesLeave a comment

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

Audrey Magazine – Designer Kim Tae-hoon

Published on March 13, 2016 by Battletag OuchiesLeave a comment

Perhaps one of my most favorite designers to find while writing for Audrey, Kim Tae-hoon’s swoon-worthy collection remains top on my list for outwear must-haves. After peeking at his current pieces available on etsy I’ve narrowed it down to two minimalist cuts:
- Hoody Primo Angora Coat
- Italian Lamb Leather Patchwork Royal Angora Zippered Coat

To see more about Kim and images from his collections on Audrey Magazine, click here.

From Audrey: South Korean Womenswear Line, FREAKS By Designer Tae-Hoon Kim – by Min A. Lee

For those of you keeping up with all the street styles coming out of Asia, we found a great designer with clothing accessible to stateside shopping fanatics! Meet Tae-Hoon Kim. Since 2000, he has been curating and perfecting his womenswear line, Freaks.

Working to find a way to represent the beauty of combining masculine and feminine balance, Kim shared with Audrey, “My original designs have been very straight forward and neutral feeling, but this collection for 2015 summer season has deployed more smoothly according to the trend in South Korea.”

When looking at the collection as a whole, you can see how his brand’s characteristics of “asymmetrical organization, aesthetic draping, mathematical crossing and structural formality” come into play. Fit for navigating a bustling, modern lifestyle, we can visualize any piece of Kim’s collection on the fashionable streets of New York City and Seoul. When we asked about the main influences behind his work, Kim explained, “It seems I had been looking for many buildings and works of installation and objects of the everyday surroundings before [a] sample design is planned. I discover carefully and observe these things, and express it as a wearable contemporary character fashion.”

With several pieces available on a newly launched Etsy storefront, it’s easy to get your hands on the South Korean brand. We picked out our favorite looks from their warm, summery tones and variety in lengths and fabrics. There’s a nice range of form fitting cuts to dresses easy to move and stay cool in. You can find more of Kim’s work here along with several look books and fashion films. – See more at: http://audreymagazine.com/south-korean-womenswear-line-freaks-by-designer-tae-hoon-kim/#sthash.Dn1oqhgj.dpuf

Image From Audrey Magazine Feature + Tae-hoon Kim

Fashion Article – Iikonee

Published on March 12, 2016 by Battletag OuchiesLeave a comment

Fashion Article Written For Feature Brand – Iikonee

For those of us living metropolitan lives, caught in the constant daily movements between coffee and career, Iikonee lets us slow down and learn an appreciation for simplicity. Clothing becomes a reflection of our lives, and there is beautiful classicism to be found within the line’s Spring & Summer 2015 looks. Vivid white offset by classic navy and black make up the entire architecturally inspired collection, but with comfort and ease. Spring usually entails overcrowded patterns and bright, summery palettes, but Iikonee keeps to traditional minimalist expectations.

Most minimalist designs tend to veer away from girly flirtation, but there is still a perfect dose of feminine appeal with curve flattering shapes and shorter lengths. While on trend with the midi-skirt and contemporary boxy cuts for their available tops, the ability to wear these pieces over several years is not lost, especially as fads come back just as much as they disperse. If you’re seeking out a revamp for your career wardrobe and want to move away from the usual suiting options, Iikonee should be at the top of your list.