We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Chelsea Shin ("CS").
Chelsea Shin is a fashion designer born in South Korea in 1998, and raised in many countries around the world. She is an alumni of Parsons School of Design located in New York City, who majored in fashion design. The freedom of clothing in America has inspired her. She focuses on developing new silhouettes through pattern making and draping. She aims to find a new beauty in fashion and brings attention to the art of craftmanship. The collections cover men’s and women’s wear and accessories.
Chelsea Shin Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Chelsea Shin.
Chelsea Shin Design - Nostalgia Moon Wearable Art
Designer Interview of Chelsea Shin:
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?
CS : When I was young, my grandmother used to paint and knit often. Her life looked so free and happy in my eye. I hated every day when I was stuck in a frame from something and repeatedly, so I felt like I would live my own day of self-directed and free like a grandmother if I did art after seeing her. When I was in high school, I went to an art high school in Canada. In the 11th grade curriculum, there was a fashion class and I found out the fun of sewing in that class.
DI: What is "design" for you?
CS : For me, design is about sharing and communicating with others about myself and my memories. I think designing shapes using fabric and other subsidiary materials has a stronger conveyance than any other words.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
CS : When I was in Parsons School of Design, I focused on learning basic bodice. The reason is that no matter what silhouette I make, I don't think I can be more creative if I don't fully understand the basic bodice patterns. However as time went by, I wanted to design something experimental based on the traditional bodice patterns for the first and last time in school for my thesis project. Because I was very curious about what kind of new silhouette I was going to create. Since then, I've come to like clothes that are a little off-the-shelf and new to me.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
CS : My favorite design, in my 2021 collection "NOSTALGIA MOON", is look number 2, "Ylang Ylang (The Starry Night)". This design was completed through several fittings. The design tried to maximize the original shape of the moon by putting a boning on the edge of the clothes, and the fabric was so easily deformed by tension or boning that it was designed to make this deformation as natural as possible.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
CS : I usually make the most creative and wild imaginations at nights when the sun sleeps and darkness deepens. That's because it's the only time I'm not interrupted, and I can focus more on my favorite things at that moment.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
CS : The part that I care about the most when designing is the fit and silhouette of the clothes.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
CS : I feel a lot of emotions when I design, but the emotions that I feel the most are joy and fulfillment. This is because there are many things that surprise me when I design.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
CS : After the design is completed, I feel anxious, which is not just a bad thing, but all the emotions I can feel while waiting for the user's feedback.
DI: What makes a design successful?
CS : In my opinion, the thought process of the designer, the harmony of fabrics and trimmings, and the fit of the clothes complete the design.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
CS : I think the research stage prior to design is the most important.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
CS : I'm still getting inspired by the precious memories that I have in my head, but these days I'm focusing on going out, going around, and expanding my thoughts by seeing a whole new world. I'm doing a very important and difficult challenge.
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?
CS : I graduated from Parsons School of Design last May and am currently learning fashion industry in New York.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
CS : I usually plan my day. However, when I don't achieve my desired goal in time, I often stay up all night and finish it.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
CS : It takes longer for me to design than others. It's because I have too many thoughts.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
CS : I want to develop more interesting designs that show myself and participate in various competitions around the world.
DI: How can people contact you?
CS : People can contact me through my website (https://www.chelseashin.com).