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…
01Could 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.
02How 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!
03What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
Shape that need to show my identity, Productivity as a garment, and Simplicity.
04Which 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.
05What 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.
06What 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.
07What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Be brave and positive!
08You 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.
09What 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.
10How 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.
11How 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.
12How do you decide if your design is ready?
Either the design sells well or design make a mark on history.
13What 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!
14Who is your favourite designer?
Phoebe Philo
15Would 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.
16Would 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.
17What 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!
18What 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.
បទសម្ភាសន៍ទេវតារចនា
43 សំណួរ
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.
01Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?
I graduated from Pratt Institute in 2016 for BFA Fashion design.
02What motivates you to design in general, why 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.
03Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
Absolutely I choose.
04What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
Minimal design but it represents my style itself.
05What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
Do everything and get real!
06What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
Good designs only represent visual aspects and great designs imply their thought.
07What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
Good design can make people laugh.
08What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
Make them happy.
09What is the dream project you haven't yet had time to realize?
Pet apparel line.
10What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
Black and White color.
11Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
Phoebe Philo
12What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
Old Celine. I do not know why.
13What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
Visual impact with meaning.
14How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
Control of negative space.
15How do you define design, what is design for you?
Part of life and sometimes itself.
16Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
My parents. Thank you and I love you!
17What helped you to become a great designer?
Motivation from my family.
18How do you think designers should present their work?
It depends on the designers' own thought.
19What's your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
New collections and new shoe line under S'MM.
20What's your ultimate goal as a designer?
Make heaven for minimalists.
21What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
Create traditional design with new idea.
22How does design help create a better society?
Some designs lead to good comunication person to person.
23What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
Build up new collection.
24Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
My first collection. Beacuse I got award with sponsorship so that makes me to build up my company. It was a start point of my journey.
25What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
Robots will replace designers.
26How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
Usually 2 weeks.
27When you have a new design project, where do you start?
Research.
28What is your life motto as a designer?
Keep the balance between work and life.
29Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
Both are interactive. Not only design sets trends but also trends set the designs.
30What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
Sewing machine and Adobe programs.
31What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?
Follow the feeling.
32What do you wish people to ask about your design?
hmm.. nothing. I wish that people just enjoy my design.
33When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
Motivation.
34Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
Few of my best friends who are in art field.
35How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
Keep learning from my freelance projects and doing my business.
36Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
My family and best friends.
37How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
No. But awards gave me opportunuties to get attentions from industry people.
38What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
Black and White, My sweet home, Ice cream, Winter, My lovely Dog; Stella!
39Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
Even getting fame but actually I lose money for my business.
40What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
Other brands' great collections.
41When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
Nobody expected me to be a designer because my drawing skill was really bad when I was a child.
42What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
Some great designers will run my brand, S'MM.
43Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?
Keep love my work! Always thank you!
បទសម្ភាសន៍អ្នករចនា
39 សំណួរ
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.
01Could 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.
02Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
My brand based in Brooklyn, New York and everything made in New York.
03What is "design" for you?
The abstract way to show my thought.
04What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Keep simple and minimal with accentuate details or exaggerate silhouette.
05What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
I love the minimal design with feminine details.
06What was the first thing you designed for a company?
This collection; F/W 2017, was the first official collection under my label.
07What 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.
08When do you feel the most creative?
When I'm talking with my favorite people and visit beautiful galleries and museum spaces.
09Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Uniqueness, trendiness, and wearability.
10What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Worry but fun.
11What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
I feel that "Yes! I can go to sleep early tonight."
12What makes a design successful?
Keep own aesthetic and uniqueness.
13When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Visualization.
14From 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.
15How 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.
16When 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.
17Where 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.
18How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
Minimal silhouette with delicate details.
19Where 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.
20How do you work with companies?
Half of doing my brand and half of doing freelance work for the clients.
21What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Be diligent and creative.
22Can you talk a little about your design process?
My process is very back and forth. I always make something, re-cutting, and re-making.
23What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Candle, Pillow, Alex Katz cups, Stella's toy, and Lip balm.
24Can 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.
25Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Don't afraid of failure.
26From 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.
27What skills are most important for a designer?
Creativeness and business mind.
28Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Pencil and letter size paper.
29Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Using Checklist.
30How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
4 to 5 months.
31What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
32What 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.
33Who are some of your clients?
Women who are working in art field.
34What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Classic design.
35What 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.
36Do 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.
37Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
I will start new season that might show more feminine design.
38How can people contact you?
Visit my website! www.smmnyc.com
39Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
I really appreciate my mom and daddy. I love you and thank you!
A' Design Award គឺជាពានរង្វាន់រចនាល្អអន្តរជាតិដែលវាយតម្លៃដោយគណៈកម្មការ។ ចូលរួមក្នុង A' Design Award ដើម្បីទទួលបានឱកាសក្នុងការទទួលស្គាល់ដោយគុណសម្បត្តិ ទទួលបានកិត្តិនាម កិត្តិយស និងការផ្សព្វផ្សាយសម្រាប់ការងាររបស់អ្នក។ ដាក់ស្នាដៃរបស់អ្នកសម្រាប់ A' Design Award ហើយប្រកួតប្រជែងដើម្បីឈ្នះ A' Design Prize ដ៏គោរពរាប់អាន។