Korean designer Nicole Kim on her unisex label of timeless, genderless pieces
The designer, who splits her time between Seoul and Los Angeles, tells us why luxe streetwear comes with punk attitude
You split your time between Seoul and Los Angeles. How does each city affect your creativity? “First and foremost, I am Korean and I am proud of it. I was fortunate to spend time in the United States when I was growing up and to develop myself in two different cultures. Living in a Western country as an Asian was quite challenging but I believe I am who I am now because of those challenges.
“I love the energy I get when I’m in Seoul. It’s a vibrant city, fast-paced and dynamic. When I need to get something done, I can get very motivated and feed off the energy everyone has. Los Angeles is the opposite, so laid-back and calm. I love the smile I get when I step out of LAX and feel the sunshine and dry breeze on my face. It’s that west coast vibe that is inherent in our collection.”
