INTERVIEW WITH FASHION DESIGNER JAMIE KIM

New York-based label JAMIE KIM began in 2020 created by Jieun Kim, who is from Korea. Kim’s collection has been characterized as tactical, practical, and classic derived from soft modernism. Drawing inspiration from the moment in everyday life in the city with mixed cultural backgrounds, her look is both timeless and fresh, with a conceptual approach that keeps them independent of trends. Unexpected styles and textures breathe life into casual wardrobe essentials like shirts and coats, quietly subverting their classic shapes and clean tailoring. The line’s workwear roots especially shine through in jumpsuits and shirt jackets that stand out while keeping it low-key.

INTERVIEW WITH JAMIE KIM

Tell us how you got started in fashion design and how that led to creating your own business?

My parents created an environment where I could make a lot of background knowledge about fashion and helped me make a decision to become a fashion designer, not a diplomat. I used to be unsure that my design would be loved by many people. But after almost 10 years of fashion design, I felt that my friends, professors, and many seniors in the fashion industry liked my clothes and wanted to try them on and buy them. I was getting confident in it and wanted to share my clothes with more people, so I started my brand.

How did you get so involved in a creative culture? 

I have exposed a lot of media since I was young. My parents shared cultural life with me and my sister, such as TV, commercial movies, art museums, and musicals. Also, we often went shopping together and bought me fashion magazines, so these naturally made me interested in fashion and art.

What inspired your love of the soft modernism that characteristics your designs?

Everyday life is a source of inspiration for me. Throughout our life, we are placed in a variety of situations. I normally start with a visual picture of someone in a specific setting. My intention is for my design to become embedded in people’s daily lives. I usually try to capture mellow and warm moments in those routines.

What pieces do you wear yourself? How does it make you feel? 

I do wear shirt jacket myself. When I wear it, I feel casually dressed up, and it’s very practical. When I work, I carry a lot of things, and I usually wear clothes that I have to wear and take off easily, which are suitable for this.

Do you think ecology must be embodied as much in the choice of materials as in the timelessness of design? How ecological values impact your artistic choices?

I believe that sustainability, which is getting momentum in the fashion market, is important in today’s society. I try to choose things that affect the environment less when I look at the materials. For example, using a natural fabric that is not dyed rather than a white fabric that costs a lot of water, and constructing a collection of natural fibers rather than synthetic fibers as much as possible. As a designer, it is not easy to limit these things, but I aim to have as little impact on the environment from materials to design in consideration of sustainability as possible.

What is the most challenging issue regarding the expectations of your customers?

My collection has a mellow minimalist style. I think the combination of designs, details, and high-quality fabrics I make is appealing. Because I believe they will appeal to people with distinct and high tastes, I believe they should display not just the garments but also the brand’s complete atmosphere and lifestyle. I think it can be challenging to find customers who are willing to spend money by focusing on minimal but good textiles and construction rather than customers who only spend money on extravagant designs.

What does ethical design mean for you? 

No matter how creative I am, I think I should be careful about things that are not accepted ethically in this society. Ethically challenged designs are often seen, and I think they were something that could have been identified once before the idea was shown to the world. I think that Designer should communicate more with society makes our design continue. This is because the design is a work that starts with creativity and ends with commerciality.

Describe in a few words your creation process.  

OBSERVE, IMAGINE, DRAW, DOUBLE CHECK, SHOW

Can you share with us some exciting news regarding your brand?

I’m working on a new collection with my artworks to express my creativity through them while being true to the brand’s original ideals.