Guest Interview: Fashion Designer Dahae Kim
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- I sat down with menswear designer Dahae Kim and we had a great conversation about the design process, working as a designer in the real world, and running her own label.
We snark on students (she used to teach fashion design in Malaysia) and the worst kind of fitting clients (she also takes on private clients for made-to-measure work). I play devil's advocate a little too. We laugh a lot and sometimes I cuss at her in Korean. Good times.
Go stalk her; her bombers are delicious and unisex:
Website: www.whichkim.com
Instagram: @whichkim_official
Twitter: @WHICHKIM_OFFCL
Facebook: / whichkimofficial
RELATED VIDEOS:
Playlist of my guest interview videos: • Interviews with Indust...
Playlist of my fashion design process videos: • Fashion Design Process
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please do more interviews with designers!! they are really inspiring
100
"When you fall in love with fashion, it's like falling in love with an abusive boyfriend" 100% agree
“That’s the most important vídeo that I’ve have whatched until now. And I told it all the time for my classes in fashion universities for so many years that I’ve teaching Patternmaking for Fashion Design. Oh 😯my God”. You are the incrideble girls from fashion
im in tears. from laughing and being super afraid now.
I know I'm watching this 5 years later but... OMG this is a podcast waiting to happen. You two are so great together. Great interview, thank you!
Dahae is my mentor. This just made me laugh. Thank you for acknowledging the hard and actual work of a real designer versus a stylist. Sending you love during this pandemic.
OMGI don't know how to thank you for all the videos , I'm so glad I found you ... thank you so much - from Iran
Greetings to Iran! You're welcome!
Yaaasssss!!!!!! you pick your fabrics first!!!!! I just found your channel today! Im ten years out of fashion school and just starting my business now! So happy to see your video re-affirming my thoughts! Thank You!
Lmao I just started this video. I'm a menswear designer also. Smoking a cigarette in two drags and working all day is the honest reality of this life. Thanks for the upload! I really enjoyed it.
Hahaha I quit smoking in 2008, but yeah, I remember the "taking one last drag as you're about to open the door" cigarettes.
I watched this video like 237 times! This is real talk you guys! Very enlightening especially when you get to understand the design process! Love Dahae! So honest and blunt! Hope you can interview her once again Zoe! 😘
She's awesome! I'm def having her back on the channel, I'm actually thinking of having her come and teach y'all how to sew zippers because she is the QUEEN of that.
Thank you so much Zoe for this, it's 2021 and all of this rant/conversation is such amazing insight and advice. I am really appreciative of this opportunity to listen to such experienced designers.
You two really remind me of my teachers. I'm so glad I watched this.It's very insightful! I go to the academy of art btw
This whole interview gave me life! Thank you so much for posting. Also I have been debating whether or not I was going to return to AAU and I feel like this is a sign too.
You're welcome! Good luck with everything.
A lot of truths from Ms Kim that apply to businesses outside of fashion. My background is thirty years in automotive engineering product design and manufacturing and so many parallels I kept watching. Learn all areas you can in school, try to work in the industry while in school, understand costing, financing, and factory processes.
LOVE THIS INTERVIEW THANK YOU!!! So much amazing insight and the reality of the fashion industry. This has answered so many questions that I had in college!
You're so welcome!
I love her, she is so honest and this designer conversation is fabulous...I love pattern making...very time consuming and I am a beginner, just copying designs.. it is so fun and the laughing is worth the design..
We need more these kinda interviews
wow @ 'you work better under pressure'' WHAT A TEACHER!! they are rare to come by
OMG Zoe, thank you SO much for inviting Dahae over! I loved this interview. You both are amazing and inspiring
Dahae's pretty dope.
She definitely is!!!!
wear a mask and pretend you're about to get sick when your client smells lol
SO smart! I'm going to pass on the message to Dahae!
this did not age well
@@nniinnaa12 - actually, the opposite. Corona provides a built-in pretext for creating physical distance where needed.
LOL! OMG Dahae! She's a friend of mine and we went to the same school for fashion. I've been going through your youtube page and I come across someone I actually know. Cool!
Thank you soooo much for doing videos like these, it really inspires me to work hard and follow my dreams
You're welcome! Good luck!
That was such a great interview! Would it be possible for you to add a video to the cue about editing a collection? It would be helpful to walk through the process and to see the reasons you choose to include garments.
Editing and merchandising a collection will be topics addressed in my design process series and should be out later this summer.
This is such a fun interview and I learn so much from this. Love to hear what you guys said about everything. I hope I'm gonna make it in the fashion industry and I guess nothing gonna be fast or easy, but I'm still gonna strive for it! Please keep making this kind of video, they all are so helpful and I really appreciate it :)
You're welcome! Yes, nothing really good is fast or easy. Good luck with everything!
11:45 i love this soo much! I totally agree - my teacher has been making us design this elaborate collection but with no fabric! I never understood how i could design a collection with no reference of weight and print or color.
However, if you are designing AFTER purchasing fabric, how do you figure out the amount of fabric needed for a design?
Typically you design off swatches, and as you design, estimate how much yardage you'll need to make samples, make sure you order in time from them to arrive when patternmaking is done.
I love pattern making even more than designing and sewing. This was fun to watch
Thank you for this video. I really needed it. I'm in assoc program for merchandising and thought o should switch to design first but then realized I was on the right path after watching you. I now know I can self teach myself while getting that degree before getting a design degree and build my porfolio for school during this degree. Thanks zoe and Ms. Kim. Sorry couldn't remember how to soell her name because my comment is too long lol.
Most informative and candid interview! Cannot believe this video only has 6,200 views. Love from Australia.
Greetings to Australia~
Great video... I love all the backhanded "compliments" at celebrity "designers" and UGG! 🤣🤣🤣
I am so glad you are talking about working designers. I worked as a professional artist, and my life was very different from people who were the flavor of the month in the field. I worked constantly and made a fairly good amount of money, but it was very hard and there is lots of competition for every show, exhibition and gallery representation.Working on a collection of paintings is not that different from fashion collections.
Zoe, you are so hard and mean, but I LOVE you. Have more of these tipsy interviews, please.
Loved it!!! The interview was bang on especially 4 some1 like me who is planning on a career change. Thank u so very much 🤗
You're welcome! Good luck with your career change!
Best interview ever! Please do more and serve them wine. It is like a truth serum!
you are an amzing teacher, Both of you. Tysm for existing!! Thanks for taking these efforts for us.
Thanks for this video, your guest says it like it is! It reminds me of a TV show I saw where Whoopie Goldberg was talking to acting students and one student ask her what did she think of fame, Whoopie's response was "Fame is an accident that doesn't happen to many so if you are doing what you are doing with fame in mind you are in for a ride. There are many people everywhere who are unknown actors but they work at their craft for themselves!". And it applies to Fashion Designers as well. The documentary SEAMLESS that follows few of the nominees for the CFDA shows exactly that too. Thank you Zoe Hong for loving Fashion and for sharing such great content on your channel!
Thank goodness I clicked on the video, im an aspiring Fashion designer and I think my Asian Family is not gonna love my career choice 😬 I love creating and designing fashion pieces but it makes me cry, it's like a love/hate situation.
Hi Zoe! I am fascinated by your videos. I’m not in fashion, but I did do a stint in theater costuming many decades ago. My question is: What kind of clients/projects are there in the fashion world? I assumed it would only be mass production for companies, but this video talks about measuring “a client”- meaning an individual. I thought couture work was pretty much dead. Is there much of it out there? What other kinds of work do you do?
Couture and made-to-order are not the same thing. Dahae does custom made-to-order work, men's suiting usually. When you do this sort of work, you're not dressing the fashion world, you're dressing everyday people who want something special and well fitted. This sort of thing is everywhere--lots of wedding dresses, prom dresses, suits, items for special occasions where people are willing to spend a little extra.
You and Dahae make a hilarious team so much fun to watch and learn from!Thanks Zoe Hong for showing the reality that not many people will be the Yves Saint Laurent, Gianni Versace and Alexander McQueen of the fashion/design world. It seems that many people in the arts stay stagnet in the college level of doing things/projects, sure its a lot of fun but sooner than later the reality of the world/business has to kick in. I once saw an interview of Karl Lagerfeld where he said that the more you work the better you get at things, so like Dahae Kim works better under preasure. Great eye opening video!
Thank you! You made my day :)
I've just finished tailored trousers for my client before first fit, you know - bespoke, and wondering if making things in one piece makes sense. I am making whole production and selling by myself. I think every successful paing job in the industry is a win. Kisses for Zoe and Dahae from Poland!
This is so informative! I see that design and patternmaking skills are essential for a career in fashion design. Please could you share your opinion on if it's possible to be self taught in these areas using the right books and materials, or is fashion school a necessity. I ask this because the schools in my country are not world class at all, and I can't travel abroad for a long course due to family? Is any formal fashion education better than no education or self taught knowledge? Thanks!
Fashion school is not a necessity. I have a video interview with a self-taught designer coming up in a few weeks!
Yes, excellent interview. I really appreciate the reality check and inside awareness this type of interview provides. Often you speak of the practical part of the fashion design process, but this goes more in depth into the description of what the life of a designer is, what the daily reality is, and not only what to expect from a fashion school, but what to expect of yourself as a fashion student and why the instruction process is as it is. So interesting and informative. Thank you Zoe.
I wonder why does Project Runway portray the whole idea of, sketching your designs first and then choosing fabric? That's extremely misleading and bad information for all of there design viewers, including myself. I mean I know it's a television show, but at least have some accuracy when it comes to the steps as a designer. I didn't start out learning from PR but I never knew to change that concept of thinking. Thank you ladies for hitting on that topic. 😘
Omg i can stop rewatching your videos, and everytime i see the BIG difference between countrys
True Story. It is not only in this field that you need to know the full spectrum of the chosen field, it is in everything you do in life, in order for you to successfully
determine your effect you have people and the world!
I love this channel! These interviews are so refreshing and reassuring to aspiring designers. Thank you!
what I do realise is that money do motivate ppl to work lol. And being open minded is really important. Totally agree.
This video is so great. I am constantly getting into arguments with my teachers about these exact comments that you made ("Yes, ma'am, I would love to do more fabric manipulations, but, for my intended market, having hand embroidery on every piece would be too expensive. Yes, I know that this isn't the real thing, but I'm PRACTICING for real life. Yeah, I don't want to add LED lights to all of my jackets whywouldIdothatwhatdoesthathavetodowithanything. Okay, I'll take the grade reduction. Thanks for your help." This video has both taught me so much, as well as confirmed that I'm not super out of bounds for thinking this way. Thank you!
I do think it's important to explore different options and push yourself creatively before you bring it back to reality. It's about striking that balance between visually exciting and new and mass-produceable.
I completely agree with you here. I guess what I was getting to was that I wish that schools (speaking really for mine) would help to both push you creatively as you've mentioned, while also preparing us, as you mentioned more in the video. I feel like often times, my teachers are trying to constantly push me in one direction of the argument, instead of challenging us to find this balance. At my school especially, many teachers that I've had have very clearly spoken against making more mass-produced, better-level clothes, and instead only seem to encourage designer and couture level garments.
Does your school have a class evaluation form you could fill out? Just a thought.
Yeah, they do. I make sure to fill them out each semester, especially with all the changes they've been making here. Thank you for your advice/ help!
Dahae!!!! oh gosh I missed you!!
Keep these videos up!!!!! I love the knowledge under the influence, gained more clarity of how to approach my craft and business. You are the real #BOF
Thanks!
Yes agree...in whatever profession we are in, we need to get rid of our ego. Don't get too big headed.
what about buying a bunch of textbooks about fashion merchandising and being self taught? do you think taking classes is necessary?
These two being like spirit animals to each other and referencing Beyoncé and Sir Mix-a-lot, can we have a revisit video of some kind with her
I understand you so much @Dahae Jim!! Love her.
She's awesome!
Oh wow Zoe! U r fabulously instrumental. Thanks so much for having her.
Being a student u should learn everything from sketching, sewing and do costing, communication skills, and most important is the attitude..passion..
Omg you guys are so funny and fun!!! And smart. Love it.
Thanks!
Great video Zoe. A great exposure to the reality. I would love to see more interviews like this as it will help to understand the realities in a better way. Thanks a ton for this video.
I have one question - how small can one start? I mean the size of collection as well as the number of pieces for each design (of collection) in terms of size/color etc.
Thanks Again Zoe.
You can start as small as one style. How many pieces you produce depends on whether you want to cut to order or you want to produce before you get orders, whether or not you want to do wholesale or direct to consumer. There are SO many factors. This website is run by a very smart friend and I encourage you to check it out: fashion-incubator.com
I am struggling between finalising cut to order and produce beforehand. In both cases I am not able to figure out fabric sourcing. If suppose I choose to cut to order then how should I work on sourcing fabric before actually producing the collection (as I won't have the quantity estimates). And in other case of producing beforehand quantity remains a concern that what minimum amount should I be producing to start (budget remains a constraint). Additionaly, about sourcing fabric, if my collection is small and also pieces are less then my fabric requirement will be less, then in that case should I connect with a retailer? (it will become too costly). I am sayin this because I had been to a fabric trade fair, when I enquired about the quantity, their minimums are too high. Sorry for the long query, but guidance will be really helpful.
Thanks.
And, thanks for the link, I'll check it out too. :)
Your query is one that requires a lot of research and many conversations with someone well versed in production, but here are a few things: there are a few fabric companies that specialize in smaller minimums. Check out this resource: www.fashiondex.com. When you get sample yardage, you need to get lead times from all your suppliers so that you can give an accurate delivery date to your accounts. The way you decide to sell is not really something I can advise you on, as there are pros and cons to each option. Good luck!
Thanks a lot Zoe. Really appreciate.
Hi Zoe, I have been binge watching your videos because i just found you, everything is so helpful. My problem is I procrastinate alot, always finding a reason why I shouldnt practice but I plan on following every single one of your tutorials. I have a request, Can you do a video dedicated to how to draw fabric wrinkles and what types of fabric wrinkles form around different parts of the body?
Yes, that has been on the queue for a while and videos on how to draw drapes and folds will be in a series coming out this summer.
Thank you so much for sharing such useful information from "the real world"!
awesome video..
thank u so much fr arranging an interview of fashion designer..
i learnt so much frm ths interview..
i always design dresses frst n thn decide th fabrics..now learnt tht why th fabrics are important to be decided frst..
also learnt that fr a single design, we need to make 10 sketches..
i do my portfolio collection wise..spring summr n autumn winter n i make separate collection fr evening wear..
and each collection contains 46 designs..so total 150 designs approximately..so.. i learnt tht i need to make 1500 sketches..
😊😊
thanks Zoe..
that's an eye opening video..
💕💕💕😊😊
I'm glad you learned a lot! You're welcome!
Zoe Hong
😊💕
This is an amazing key view of designing!
Yes! Dahae is super smart.
Absolutely!
Are you Korean? I'm sure Dahae Kim is Korean...! haha ;) It's great to discover your channel ! I love your personality !! so funny and professional...! As fashion design student, learn so much from your videos thank you.
Yes, we're both Korean. Thanks for your compliments!
I really 😍 this interview...i learn so much ,amazing advices thanks God Im good as a pattern maker...Lol...You girls rock.Thanks.
You're welcome!
What an eye opener! Thank you so much for this gold mine, Zoe and Dahae!
Question! Since Whichkim is a small brand, how many pieces does it usually have in one collection? And how often does it release a new collection (i.e. only SS and FW?) Thanks again!! :D
You're welcome! I'll ping Dahae later and have her answer your question.
That would be super! Thanks! :)
🙌🏽😍 thank you! Yes def interested in more interviews!
OMG this interview has been so insightful. Can't believe I'm just seeing this video! great. Although i have an issue with a difficult client, shes's rejected my work for the third time! I'm thinking to myself how I can resolve this conflict, I am very passionate about my work, I don't know what to do.. Any ideas please?
Dahae kim I feel you hit my head not the table ^_^
and I like your interview I learn a lot thing and I disappoint.
It’s so true passion for fashion! It says everything!
For me it is logical to choose fabrics first because I havd been sewing since childhood and my interest for illustration and design is new. Although,I feel a bit discouraged because you make it seem like you can't seriously design without a fashion school:(
One can only speak from their own experience and since we are both designers who went to fashion schools, we can only speak of how that shaped our careers. Although, I do think we talked quite a bit about things school did not prepare us for. There are also plenty of designers who either didn't go to school or dropped out. But the reality is, if you want to work for a medium-large-giant company, they will look for a degree on your resume.
+Zoe Hong Thank you for the reply! I get what you are saying and completely agree when it comes to working in the industry. There are so many great designers that come from amazing schools and I wish I could have attended one,but I still hope to be able to do what I love. Thanks!
I have been watching your channel for about 3 months and every aspect of this channel is fascinating to me, and I want to dig deep into fashion design and I want to know about the sewing the patter the flats the fabrics and even the drawing and I have few basic skills in every part of everything you talked about but how do I pick a school how do I start applying to fashion schools when they ask for a portfolio that frankly I’ve never created. I’m winging it here but I want to do this that scares me but know that I love doing on my spare time and feel excited just by sewing on a simple tshirt sleeve almost perfectly! I want this so badly but how do I even start. I want to go from amateur semi designs and cut and sew to just being a part of every step of what it takes to create a line!
Go see my Fashion School playlist.
I loved the Briana Kranz interview. And Dahae was great too! Love love love. moar moar moar.
:D I have a couple more cool people lined up!
Hallelujah hallelujah I feel the same way I can make my own patterns and I can sketch I am a fashion designer that’s what I call myself I totally agree with the Kardashian‘s no offense but thank you so much for clarifying
Omg this waas amazingly amazing i learn so so much im kinda disapoint with da fact i dont know how to pattern making its not my fault i dont have good fashion school in my area but i beg you to make tutorials zoe please and this interview was great love you and thanks much love from africa
Thank you, but no, I will not be doing pattern making tutorials.
Zoe Hong oh OK lol no problem i was sayin ull kill me if you read this ahahaha but dont worry you great tanks so much
Zoe Hong you know wat...when i watch ur videos an i don't expect you say everyting...an than you detail evrything loool and im like is she reading my mind to know wat im asking for..your and angel zoe just sittin lookin an havin fun at the same time makes a lot to me i wish the BEST for you
Awww, thank you! You're so sweet.
Great interview, thank you!
oh. my. gosh.
THIS. is the BEST. fashion-related interview. that. is. out. there.
Everything said in this video, from both Zoe and Dahae, are so true and relatable.
This is some money content yall, $$$ MONAY
Thank you Dahae for being real and genuine about the kinks and grits of the reality of being a designer in this industry, and thank you Zoe for offering this platform to leak out such knowledgeable and vital info to us!!
Glad you enjoyed!
Oh my God! Y'all two are look beautiful! you and Dahae Kim are the best fashion designers ever! 💖💖💝💋💋💋😍
Thanks!
You're welcome! Keep up the good work.
Poor Dahae, she has tu sucked it up.. 😅.. Me too.. We had the same experienced, have to go through it witj smiles...
So great, now I feel inspired. I wish you all the best )) hope to see more))
Awesome! Now go design cool things!
My fav Video , I loved it. where I can buy it Dahae Kim ?
This is so real. I 💜 it
Love your videos 💕
I’m learning a lot
Keep it up 👍🏽
Happy Anniversary Zoe!
I loved this interview omg, thank you Zoe
Hello Zoe, Can you make a video about inequalities between men and women in the fashion field? for example salaries, discrimination of women or people of colors..v. I would love to hear your opinions if you've ever had experience one.
I'm a fan of your channel.
I loved the interview!!!!
Do you have any recommendations for men’s clothing making?
I enjoyed that very much. Thank you!
lmao. i totally understand that joy of finishing a garment and then calling a friend to show them.
hahahahaha years later and she still does it hahahaha
I love your clothes!
You, ladies, are funny. I like this interview.
Yes yes...this interview give me a realistic idea on how designer's life actually rather than thinking that their lives is awsome, sits in a cafe and do sketchings.. 😅 😅 😅..
I like this designer shes funny and good energy
Please add the caption, thank you :)
pursuing design is literally about not wasting anybody's time!
When I see this video, I'm questioning myself:
It is important for students to have field experience first even before they started their school. It happens to every field that students have no idea what they study and the purpose of the study. If they know the purpose of the subjects, experience them, they can use it and be more effective utilizing their knowledge instead of blindly follow the curriculum and don't know to use the knowledge.
Good teachers will explain to you why you have to learn each subject. You should feel free to ask. Having some retail experience or doing a summer internship before school would help.
Truly honest talk.Thanks ka.
You're welcome!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ the best interview
I want to party with you girls. Seriously. Great video.
Hi Zoe. I am wondering what do you think about fashion education after age of 35. I am that women with 2 daughters and I sew since age of 16. I did a fashion drawing course like years ago. Than I attended pattern making course. I kind a have basic sewing skills. I studied economics when I was at the university. Worked for 10 years as a businesswomen and a stay at home mom for last 5 years...
Great interview!
Hello from Malaysia... 🌹
Thank you ❤
Hi, Dahae,
If you want to produce like Dahae, what are the steps. Like First step, second step, etc.
Thanks,
Roxana
Thank you for the reality check ! 😂😂 I can't believe u got her drunk
Haha that's how you get the truth out of people!