rawsoulpic

2011년 9월 4일 일요일

Blend Magazine

V Magazine Face to Face With JUUN.J

N OUR NEW FACE TO FACE SERIES, SONNY GROO SITS DOWN WITH EMERGING DESIGNERS FOR A ONE ON ONE INTERVIEW

Photography Paul Scala
Styling Sonny Groo

Juun J is one of those designers who can give you that extra something without turning a classic piece into something extreme. The designer, who studied in Seoul, Korea, founded his own brand in 2007 after working for other companies, including Club Monaco. In 2009, Juun became the winner of the Samsung Fashion Design Fund. After a collaboration with Reebok, the fund aided him in working with other brands like Mykita and Speedo.

Sonny Groo sat down with Juun J for VMAGAZINE.COM a few days after showing his Spring/Summer 2012 collection in Paris.

SONNY GROO First of all, congratulations on your latest collection and show. What makes you come to Paris to show your collection instead of in any other place like New York, or in Asia?
JUUN J I do a show in Asia occasionally, for example in Seoul but Paris is the only place I can really show off. In Paris, the core of the industry comes together and I feel that I get more respect showing here than in any other place.

SG Would you ever attempt womenswear?
JJ Many people are asking me why I’m not designing womenswear. To be honest, my collections always show a big amount of oversized pieces—I really love the oversized aspect. For a woman to be wearing one of my menswear items, it’s already oversized on her. Therefore, I think more women should wear my menswear!

SG What is your next step?
JJ If I have the time, I really like gardening. It’s something I see myself doing when I’m older as well, maybe after my career as a designer. As for now, I will put my main focus on designing clothes as it’s the thing I do best.

SG What did you want to become when you were a teenager? Did you always want to be a fashion designer?
JJ Yes, always.

SG How would your friends describe you?
JJ I think they would say kind things. For example, that I am a caring and an honest person. Anything less normal could be that I always carry candles around, preferably from Costes or Diptyque. Now that I think about it, maybe someday I would like to have my own candle or perfume.

SG Many designers are incorporating the Internet into their shows. How important is the Internet and being online for you?
JJ It’s good that the possibilities are there. However, I find it important to have people attend my shows in person and see the clothes in real life.

SG Most of your collections consist of black and white tones. Any color is only shown at the end during the finale. Would you ever think about doing more pieces in color?
JJ It’s simple, black and white are my favorite colors. That doesn’t mean I don’t like color. Maybe the finale from this show could be the start of my next collection, let’s see.

Hair TOM BERRY using Bumble & Bumble
Makeup THOM TICKLEMOUSE using Mac Cosmetics
Model CHRIS ARUNDEL at Storm Models
Special Thanks to PRO VISION LIGHTNING AND STUDIOS

2011년 6월 26일 일요일

Review of 2012 SS / International Herald Tribune

A Raft of Champion Ideas
Breaking up

The Korean designer Juun J also is full of ideas. His collection, “Deviated,” played with the concept of breaking up the linear planes of men’s suiting.

Collars came outfitted with gold zippers, sweaters were knitted to drop into wide holes at the hip, and suits were slashed open at the wrists and ankles to expose bare flesh. The models, styled to look like sons of Mr. Spock in footwear by Kiroic that seemed chiseled out of cement blocks, had a space-age vibe.

But the asymmetrical blazers, textured leather jackets and sleeveless trench coats they wore had a noble grace, outfitted as they were with gold embellishments.

If this collection had a fault, it was the lack of editing. The designer should remember that it is possible to have too much of a good thing.

By International Herald Tribune / JESSICA MICHAULT