Featured Designer_ San Kim
Where are you based_ Seoul, South Korea
Age_ 31
Where did you study_
University of Westminster, MA Menswear / London College of Fashion, Fashion Design Technology Graduate Diploma
What year did you graduate_ 2020
When did you first start employing the process of upcycling in your work_
Well, it was the first year in my MA, luckily I was naturally educated from school and classmates
What inspired you to start upcycling discarded/unwanted/deadstock materials_ Designers around the world these days
What materials do you use in your work_
Remnant Fabrics, Used Plastic Bags
Where do you find your materials_
School is always the perfect fabric shop for me. There are a bunch of beautiful fabrics in the box and they are all free!
How does the process of upcycling inform your work_
It always lets me see the material I already have. Then I realized that I got more than I need all the time.
What is the role of the designer in these times_
Reacting to various social issues at the forefront.
If you could change one thing about the fashion industry, what would it be_
Overproduction. It causes so many problems... Destruction of nature, losing craftsmanship, unfair wage and so on. It’s time to think.
What advice would you give other young designers_
Well... I am the one who needs to learn and take the advice...! So let’s be educated together!
What’s up next for you_
I am working for another brand in Korea at the moment. But in the future, I will definitely restart my own label with a stable budget.
— San Kim is a South Korean designer who lives and works in Seoul. / @sankim_official