What's driving Korea's fake fashion market: designer on the hurdles facing the industry
What prompted you to start your own label? "I graduated from Parsons [art and design school, in New York] in 2016, and was a finalist in the CFDA+ Design Graduates programme. The committee for the award encouraged me to start my own label. Even though I didn't win, they gave me confidence as a designer. I like to say that I'm New York-based but my brand is registered in South Korea. Seoul and New York are totally different cities, each with their own pace and systems, which is why it's important to me to be present in both and take advantage of what they can offer."
Tell us about your current collection. "Autumn 2018, like all of my collections, is based on the concept of androgynous fashion. This time around, it's aesthetically focused on the importance of silhouette and figures. It's about showcasing identity and personality, rather than [distinguishing] between a woman and a man. It's clothing without a stereotype, with a contrasting balance of texture, fluid lines and beauty. I chose a palette of colours that are familiar in our daily lives, like light sky blue, sand and off-white."
Describe your creative process. "Storytelling is important to me: it's the first thing I think of before I sit down to design anything. I physically write out a story and then I find images that relate to it. Sometimes it's stills from old indie movies, but it can also be music or artwork. I try to look within my own life for inspiration, instead of gathering images online. I believe designers need to convey messages through their collections and tell their own stories, instead of looking to what's trendy. Each collection should tell you who the designer is and what kind of life they live."
Who is the Moon Choi customer? "My clothing is not defined by gender, so I don't put labels on who's going to wear it. It doesn't matter if it's a man or a woman, it's more about a strong personality who's confident to express what they think. In that sense, my customer could be a feminist or they could be the direct opposite."
Moon Choi autumn/winter 2018.
What are the biggest hurdles facing the Korean fashion industry? "[It] is expanding really fast, and the street-style culture in Seoul is huge - which has fuelled a lot of counterfeiting. It's a trend-based industry, which means that designers are working fast to churn out tons of pieces as cheaply as possible. K-pop is a big influence on what people wear, as are the big fashion houses like Balenciaga and Gucci. A lot of Korean labels copy big brands really obviously."
Why did you decide to make the switch from Seoul to New York Fashion Week? "I want to showcase the vision of my brand, instead of just showing clothing in a sterile room. Seoul is small, so it's easier to see what's on trend and the popular shows at fashion week. New York is much bigger, so I feel it's important to host a personal presentation so that viewers can experience the mood of the brand and understand my values as a designer."
What's next? "My plan is to eventually offer handbags and shoes but, for now, I'm working on building a name for myself as a designer. Next season will be my fourth collection, and I've already started to develop a few prototypes for small accessories. It's a little step, but an exciting one for me."
Moon Choi autumn/winter 2018.
Moon Choi autumn/winter 2018.
Moon Choi autumn/winter 2018.
This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
Copyright (c) 2018. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
