Ahead of our LCFMA18 MA Fashion Design Technology Menswear catwalk show on Friday 5 January, our Graduate Spotlight series turns to MA Fashion Design Technology Menswear student Sohyeon Park from South Korea, who will be showing his final collection at the show. Here, he talks to us about his inspiration, final collection and why he chose LCF. Tune into the MA18 Menswear live stream at 10.30am on 5 January.
Tell us about your final project…
My MA project is about my father who lived in 1970s Korea. The starting point was sustainable fashion. Current fast fashion affects issues like the environment and ethics. In order to resolve the issues, I have personally paid attention to sustainable fashion and turned my eyes to retro or vintage items. As we still keep our old stuff and parent’s items like old jackets and rings containing their memory and humanity, I think that retro fashion could help to sort out the problem. Therefore the project is designed to realise nostalgia into collection through my father’s youth story as well as adding current trend to reflect it into future. I did some research about the movement of trend between the current and 1970s era, and the two sides of approaches are shown in my final collection.
Talk us through any specific techniques you used
Most of the techniques I used for the project were around asymmetry pattern. Based on research about level or class of fashion, while one side is oversize such as drop shoulder and long lapel length, another side is fitted – maintaining traditional appearance of men’s suit. After joining those separate patterns, oversize part became twisted into another side by using different position of buttons.
What influenced your final collection?
The most influential thing was my father and social classes. Based on his story, I found out that 1970s Korea prevailed for strong division of social classes, and I applied this to my project.
What would be your top tips to new students…
At the beginning of the course, I couldn’t move forward and experienced a feeling of being stuck from my old work. While experiencing this hard time, I read an interview with Yohji Yamamoto who said the most important thing is to follow your heart and focus on yourself. So, I focused on what I am good at and what I wanted to learn through this project, and then did my best to avoid regret after graduation. Consequently following yourself is my top tip instead of swaying away from yourself.
What made you chose LCF and London…
London is the most famous fashion city, representing tradition and the latest fashion at the same time. Also, it’s a place where a variety cultures are exist in one place, and I expected to experience various styles and designs and break down any walls of prejudice. LCF met my expectations for this! As well as focusing on the technical analysis curriculum, I looked forward to enhancing my design and communication skills through, whereas I felt most other design schools neglect technology and focus on the design and theoretical side only.
What were the highlights and biggest challenges of your course…
Time management was the biggest challenge whilst studying. I was also working a part time job at a restaurant whilst studying, which exacerbated the situation. In the beginning, I couldn’t even submit my unit one outfit properly, and I barely escaped from a fail. After trial and error, I learned how to divide my schedule efficiently and finally I became expert at time management, which was a highlight for me!
What song or album are you currently listening to?
Dean, Hyukoh, King Krule. Basically I love music so much. I am trying to listen a various types, countries and centuries of music. The three artists I am currently listening are reflected in my personality and even fashion in these days. Dean and Hyukoh are Korean and are an alternative R&B and indie band. These artists are trendy and retro in their style of music.
Have you been on a work placement or internship…
In Korea, I worked at fashion textile trading company for one year. During the period, I learned how the fast fashion system works, from design to final production as well as fabric. With building basic knowledge, I decided to move to London to expand my experience. After I worked with Jade Kang studio as an intern for 2015 F/W menswear, I fell love with menswear – especially suits. After that I got a job as an assistant at a tailoring shop, so I could understand more about the construction of garments.
My biggest inspirations and muses are…
People around me are the biggest inspiration. I observe what people wear on the streets, regardless of whether they are stylish or not. Even though people wear the same clothes, they represent different atmosphere and styling, because each body and personality is different. Balenciaga and Magaret Howell are also muses. When I studied fashion in the beginning, Balenciaga was my role model as he invented a number of different silhouettes and regarded fabrics as important before designing. As for Margaret Howell, my dream is to run a label like hers – aiming for basic items with good quality materials and having a unique mood.
Describe your work in 3 words… 1970s Korea, father, class.
What are your plans for life after your MA…
I would like to work at company where I can learn more about fashion business and trend. After creating my own know-how, I am planning to run my own label like Margaret Howell.
- Find out more about LCFMA18
- Find out more about MA Fashion Design Technology Menswear
- Find out more about other postgraduate courses available at LCF
- Sohyeon on Instagram
- #LCFMA18 on Instagram