Jihyun Kim

Specialized in Design.

Jihyun Kim

About Jihyun Kim

Jihyun Kim is a founder and creative director of S’MM, which is women’s wear brand based in New York since 2016. Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to New York at the age of eighteen to attend Pratt Institute. While at Pratt, she was interning at Anna Sui, Jill Stuart, J.Mendel, and Melitta Baumeister that time she experienced the fashion industry in New York City. In 2016, Kim graduated B.F.A Fashion design from Pratt Institute and presented her first collection, titled “Portraits of Women.” At the stage of graduating fashion show, she won the Liz-Claiborne Concept to Product Award and $25,000 sponsorship for the next collection from Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg Foundation, after then Kim launched her brand, called “S’MM.” Recently, Kim is working as a freelance fashion designer based in New York City as well as she spends most of the time to develop the new collection.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs

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Interview with Jihyun Kim

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
When I was 14 years old, I was the first time to take private art lessons after then luckily I went to Sunhwa arts high school in Seoul, South Korea. While at arts high school, I learned sculpture, painting, and visual design but my feeling was not good and I really wanted to learn about fashion design. After graduating, I moved to New York and attended Pratt Institute for Fashion Design major. This is my first journey to be a fashion designer.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
My brand based in Brooklyn, New York and everything made in New York.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Keep simple and minimal with accentuate details or exaggerate silhouette.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
This collection; F/W 2017, was the first official collection under my label.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
I like matching traditional fabrics; cotton, satin, and silk with artificial or new textiles; neoprene or even industrial material.
When do you feel the most creative?
When I'm talking with my favorite people and visit beautiful galleries and museum spaces.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Asserting social problems into the design is not mandatory for designers but expressing their thought into their design can change the society and environment.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Our life is surrounded by the design field so it is absolutely evolving.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
The last exhibition was "INDOG" at Lazy Susan Gallery in New York, in 2017. I am planning for next fashion exhibition that might be the end of this year or next year.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
I get lots of inspiration and endorphins while talking with my close friends. Conversation is a great source of my work.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
Downtown Brooklyn, New York. The place gave me lots of inspirations and is very close to Manhattan so easy to go to market research material resourcing.
How do you work with companies?
Half of doing my brand and half of doing freelance work for the clients.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
My process is very back and forth. I always make something, re-cutting, and re-making.
Can you describe a day in your life?
I spent most of time to research and build up my collection. After the work, I usually go to dog park.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Creating my design is a positive point, and financial difficulty is a main negative aspect of being a designer.
What was your most important job experience?
All of experiences are very helpful. I think that one of the latest position at Vivienne Tam gave me many ideas.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
Build up new season and if I have a chance, I hope to do artwork or collaboration.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
At studio, most of time I'm designing myself. When I finished collection, I gathered the team and do the shoots with photo team.

Designer of the Day Interview with Jihyun Kim

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I studied BFA fashion design at Pratt Institute and was working as fashion designer since 2016. I started to build up my women's wear label on May, 2016 and also work as freelance fashion designer few brands; Vivienne Tam, Cole Hann, and Gray Matters.
How did you become a designer?
When I was young, I really love to make 3D art, collage, and textile art although I was not good at drawing and painting. I accidentally saw Marc Jacob's fashion show and the moment hugely changed my future. I decided to move to New York and began to journey as a fashion designer!
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
Shape that need to show my identity, Productivity as a garment, and Simplicity.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I got so much stress when I built up every collection until shooting or presentation. But I relieve all stresses while shooting or presenting. When the customer gave pleasant comments that are the happiest moment as a designer.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Build up deep relationship with artist friends that help me to become a successful designer and help to build up my business. Also, conversation with them that gave me lots of inspirations that I never thought before.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
Of course, I wish to my brand; S'MM, get more fame and want to build up fashion and fine art sides. This year, I am planing to collaboration exhibition at New York and build up S/S 2019 collection. My ultimate goal is becoming a creative director one of the LVHM brands.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Actually, I am still learning from every my challenges and projects so it is hard to answer.
What is your day to day look like?
I try to work Monday to Friday and sometimes half day of Saturday. But I am also working as freelance designer so it's hard to fix my schedule but I tried to balance between work and relax.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
Current fashion trend became more street wear and casual items so my latest collection reflects the trend and combining my signature design with street wear.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
If the design showed the designer's identity with trend that can be defined as a good design.
What is your biggest design work?
S/S 2017 was the most memorable collection because it was my first season and got '2016 Liz Claiborne Concept to Product' that sponsored me to launch my brand. Currently, I am working on collaboration fashion exhibition, titled 'In Dog,' so I am very exciting to introduce this project!
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I am from Seoul, South Korea and moved to New York when I was 18 years. Recently, I lived and worked at New York. Many of minimalistic design was inspired by New York life style and interior.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I usually work alone and only gathered team when I do something special, such as shooting, so I do not have specific philosophy. But I try to respect everyone and their own talents and potentials.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
I do not much as philanthropic project before. I exhibited at 'The Set NYC,' that was helping end child trafficking. I am very happy to join project, please e-mail me!
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
Getting good press, Good chance to show my design internationally, and Exhibiting my work in famous venue.

Extended Interview with Jihyun Kim

How did you become a designer?
Masterpieces and all kinds of art; dance, music, and writing, motivate me to create new design and art. I just really love being an artist so I decided to become a fashion designer.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
Good designs only represent visual aspects and great designs imply their thought.

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