Chae Yoon Yoo

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Chae Yoon Yoo ("CYY") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

CYY : When I was young, growing up at my mother’s design studio, my mom’s professional background as a fashion designer enabled me to have earlier access to experiment with colors, textiles and sketching idea of my own. I was born in South Korea and went a private art boarding school in US, Vermont. I studied BFA Fashion Design at Parsons the New School of Design, New York. At the same time, I completed a special 4 years course for a tailoring, draping, and pattern in Mods Fashion School.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

CYY : I choose to become a fashion designer. I always wanted to be part of fashion world and see my collection in runway.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

CYY : I design ready to wear women’s collection. My focus is on Outerwear design. I like to set silhouette structured and tailored because it’s the most effective way to give a woman strong looking wear. I design the collection that women can feel empowered by wearing a garment.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

CYY : I believe there is no such as good or bad design, but it is important who is my customer. I am an fashion artist and a selling merchant at the same time. When I create my collections, I always ask to myself where do I sell my garments and Who will be my customer.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

CYY : Yves Henri Donat Mathieu - Saint Laurent

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

CYY : Saint Laurent’s trend-setting Le Smoking evening trouser-suit for women. The look of Le Smoking is the one of biggest mater-pieces by Yves Saint Laurent and it gave me a huge inspiration for my design style.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

CYY : I must be in this fashion industry, but I might be a fashion buyer.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

CYY : My designs represent myself. My collections reflect my journey, background, ego, thought, interest, and life.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

CYY : Living in this complicated world, we undergo and experience many social issue. A fashion designer cannot directly solve a social issue or problem right away, but can keep telling to the world what is wrong through creating a related collection or slogan print on garment. Instead of just designing a looking good collection, it’s also important a designer should be aware of and responsible with helping society and environment through collections and designs.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

CYY : Monochromatic colors like white and black. Gold and silver hardware. The combination of monochromatic colors and bold shiny hardware is always right.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

CYY : Walk on the street. Since I have lived in New York City, I walk more than riding a car. The entire city gives me motivation and inspiration. There is a moment suddenly thinking of some designs, or concepts and branching many ideas of collection design on my mind by walking on the street. I usually make notes on my phone and develop those ideas on my designs.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

CYY : Well, I am not sure it was obvious that i would be a great designer but I have a moment that I decided to be a fashion designer. I had a small fashion show in high school. It was an annual event for kids who took a fashion design class. I still remember that feeling of excitement that more than hundred of people looking and taking pictures of my garments. After that, I truly wanted to be a fashion designer.