What came first, music or fashion? “Fashion was my first career – I studied styling in London and worked for Harper’s Bazaar . The problem was I only enjoyed styling myself. I was bad at doing it for others; fortunately, I realised this quickly. “I always loved music. I was going out every weekend and meeting DJs and promoters. One offered to give me lessons and I was hooked. My interest in fashion waned and I was in the studio all the time creating music. I was failing school but my mum wouldn’t let me go back to Korea until I passed.” What drew you back to fashion? “When I started DJing I would wear a white or black T-shirt. I wanted to look serious and didn’t want people to pigeon-hole me as a fashion girl. I realised I wasn’t being myself, and I wasn’t happy. After that I was no longer afraid to show off my style. Later I met fashion designer Virgil Abloh and [Italian fashion company] New Guards Group, and they asked if I wanted to create my own fashion line.” What’s the philosophy behind Kirin? “The clothes reflect my personal style [...] I don’t like to define it. Yes, I like streetwear and vintage shirts, but I also like dresses and high heels. I’m the same with my musical tastes – I don’t just want to do house, but also hip hop and other genres. I want to be eclectic when it comes to both music and fashion.” Tell us about the first collection. “We’ve created a print featuring haetae , a mythical Korean animal. We’ve also used the smiley logo from acid music, which is a sound I love. Another print features a cartoon of a man from safety cards on aeroplanes. Some are posing with a turntable and others are wearing headphones. The collection is about things I like, not what women are missing from their wardrobes.” What can we expect next season? “One lesson I took away is that I need a theme. The next one might centre on raves. I would also love to do Kirin Home – I love furniture and homeware.” Now that you have two jobs, which do you prefer? “Everyone talks about DJs becoming designers, but for me doing this line was about achieving a personal goal. I still prefer music because it’s a passion. Fashion gives me butterflies, but it’s a different feeling. Fashion is inherent inside me, but music is something I want to continue discovering.” Does K-pop style influence your work? “Not really, although I would love for a K-pop star to wear Kirin. I am a big fan of Korean fashion designers. I don’t listen to K-pop, but it has put Korea on the map, which is great.”