Today we speak to MA Fashion Design Technology Menswear student Jekeun Cho who tells us about his collection inspired by the suicide of Robin Williams, his favorite artist and the best thing about studying in London.
Photography by Felix Cooper and styling by Anders Sølvsten Thomsen.
Tell us about your final collection?
It is called ‘Degrees of Depression’ and I was inspired by the suicide of Robin Williams and how internally he was very depressed but externally he was a very happy person and made other people happy in his job as a comedian. It made me think that everybody must be different internally and externally. You might wear dark clothes all the time and express yourself as a sad person but inside you are a happy person, or you might wear very bright clothes and inside you are very depressed. The silhouette of my clothes is created from a depressed/hunched posture but the colours and tufted surfaces are very bright and delightful to express happiness. Accessories that cover the mouth and black lining represent the metaphor of the depression.
Where did you study prior to your MA at LCF?
I studied a BA in Public Administration in China and then I came to LCF to study the Introduction to the Study of Fashion.
Why did you choose LCF and MA Fashion Menswear?
I always wanted to study at LCF. I don`t know how to exactly explain it. I researched all the other fashion colleges when I was studying in China and LCF always seemed right. Everyone says there are many good fashion schools across the world but LCF suited me.
Reflecting back on your MA what would be your top three tips/bits of advice to prospective students?
Always express your character through your work, this might be the last time you show a collection to an audience so make it true to yourself
What have you found the most enjoyable and interesting parts of your course? And what have you found the most challenging?
The making process is the most enjoyable and the most challenging. This was my first collection so I did everything from start to finish and found all the problems you get when trying to make problems. I was able to sort out these problems through collaborating with the experts – I wouldn’t have been able to do it by myself.
What was your favourite thing about studying in London?
London is such a different thing compared to my cultural background. There are lots of people who aware of what they love, express exactly what they want. I like to see them and those people in London have helped break down my stereotypes.
Have you won any prizes?
No but my collection has been sponsored by Gutermann thread company
Have you undertaken any work experience or done a placement whilst at LCF? Where and how did you secure this work experience or placement?
I have interned for Byungmun Seo whilst studying. He is from Seoul, graduated from LCF in 2012 and is now running a successful menswear brand. It was great experience and I was able to view fashion from a different angle because his brand has totally different style to mine.
Describe your work in four words…
Delightful, depressed, metaphorical and ironic.
Do you have a muse? If so, who and why?
Murakami Takashi really inspires me. I love the ways he creates his works, using fun colours and cartoon characters. Also he is an artist who pays attention to the gap between the author`s intention and the audience`s reception. You would say “ cute” when you see his work, but it has serious meaning by him.
What are your future plans and how do you think the course will help you to realise these plans?
I have learnt so much and established my value at LCF and meet so many great people like the technicians and fellow students. I have also been able to collaborate so much with people in different areas. I hope to be able to take this experience and do some longer internships to gain industry experience before thinking about the next phase of my career.
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