A leading pioneer in global fashion, Sung-Joo Kim has also been hailed for her humanitarian work which has changed lives.
Sung-Joo Kim is a recognised force in the world of fashion. After launching brands such as Gucci, Sonia Rykiel, YSL Marks & Spencer and MCM in Korea, Ms. Kim is synonymous with Korean fashion and luxury brands. For anyone interested in fashion, she is a household name. For others, she is celebrated more for her humanitarian work.
As a believer in purpose-driven leadership, Ms. Kim inspires both as a businesswoman and humanitarian – living, and thriving by her mission, ‘Succeed to Serve’. Since 1990, the Sungjoo Group, (the organisation she founded and continues to lead) commits more than 10 per cent of all net profit back into society. This contribution has supported over 60 Korean and global NGO’s each year.
Ms. Kim has been lauded for her ethical and humanitarian practises by publications, governments and non-profit organisations. In 1997, Ms. Kim was selected as a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum. In 2009 she received the Ethics in Business Award from the European Union and in 2012, was selected as one of Asia's 25 Hottest CEOs by Fortune. She was also listed in Forbes' Top 50 Asian Business Women and was invited by the United Nations to be a part of "Innovation 101" at the Decide Now Act summit. In 2015, Ms. Kim was awarded an OBE for her contribution to strengthening bilateral ties between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea.
In June 2017, she completed her term as the president of The Korean Red Cross, a role she has occupied with a transformative energy since 2014, helping secure a future for people who once lived without hope.