We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Jihyun Kim ("JK").

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.

Jihyun Kim Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Jihyun Kim.

Designer Interview of Jihyun Kim:

DI: 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?

JK : 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.

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

JK : My brand based in Brooklyn, New York and everything made in New York.

DI: What is "design" for you?

JK : The abstract way to show my thought.

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

JK : Keep simple and minimal with accentuate details or exaggerate silhouette.

DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

JK : I love the minimal design with feminine details.

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

JK : This collection; F/W 2017, was the first official collection under my label.

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

JK : I like matching traditional fabrics; cotton, satin, and silk with artificial or new textiles; neoprene or even industrial material.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

JK : When I'm talking with my favorite people and visit beautiful galleries and museum spaces.

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

JK : Uniqueness, trendiness, and wearability.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

JK : Worry but fun.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

JK : I feel that "Yes! I can go to sleep early tonight."

DI: What makes a design successful?

JK : Keep own aesthetic and uniqueness.

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

JK : Visualization.

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

JK : Asserting social problems into the design is not mandatory for designers but expressing their thought into their design can change the society and environment.

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

JK : Our life is surrounded by the design field so it is absolutely evolving.

DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

JK : 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.

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

JK : I get lots of inspiration and endorphins while talking with my close friends. Conversation is a great source of my work.

DI: How 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?

JK : Minimal silhouette with delicate details.

DI: 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?

JK : 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.

DI: How do you work with companies?

JK : Half of doing my brand and half of doing freelance work for the clients.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

JK : Be diligent and creative.

DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?

JK : My process is very back and forth. I always make something, re-cutting, and re-making.

DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

JK : Candle, Pillow, Alex Katz cups, Stella's toy, and Lip balm.

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

JK : I spent most of time to research and build up my collection. After the work, I usually go to dog park.

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

JK : Don't afraid of failure.

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

JK : Creating my design is a positive point, and financial difficulty is a main negative aspect of being a designer.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

JK : Creativeness and business mind.

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

JK : Pencil and letter size paper.

DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

JK : Using Checklist.

DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

JK : 4 to 5 months.

DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

JK : Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

DI: What was your most important job experience?

JK : All of experiences are very helpful. I think that one of the latest position at Vivienne Tam gave me many ideas.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

JK : Women who are working in art field.

DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

JK : Classic design.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

JK : Build up new season and if I have a chance, I hope to do artwork or collaboration.

DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

JK : At studio, most of time I'm designing myself. When I finished collection, I gathered the team and do the shoots with photo team.

DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

JK : I will start new season that might show more feminine design.

DI: How can people contact you?

JK : Visit my website! www.smmnyc.com

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

JK : I really appreciate my mom and daddy. I love you and thank you!