I was born and raised in South Korea. I have spent over a decade working on the design teams of various global fashion houses before launching my brand, Ashlyn in 2020. My brand expresses a confident, modern interpretation of traditional tailoring with a focus on clean silhouettes and comfort.

Yohji taught me to question everything in my designs: what is the purpose of each detail? Do we really need that trim? Because of this, I am constantly asking myself about sustainability: who benefits from it and how it can be achieved?

The collection draws on milestone points along the way of my life, the periods that I feel really shaped who I am today. The happy memories of the 90s: in Tokyo where I was educated and first employed, and in New York, where I moved in my 20s and discovered my independence. I recall these moments filled with fun and joy, a time when love triumphed over everything.

There is something so uniquely appealing to see a confident woman in a perfectly tailored garment. I’ve always been intrigued by the internal construction of a garment, which is just as important as what the garment looks like from the outside. I think it’s interesting to expose these inner workings through deconstructed details, and let the wearer showcase their unique style.

At the heart of every woman’s wardrobe is a core collection, the pieces that they gravitate to on a daily basis. However, I think we also need to be inspired by daring designs that have the power to evoke different feelings and emotions.

I am continually asking myself about sustainability: who benefits from it and how it can be achieved? The fashion industry produces so much waste. I decided that I needed to address this problem head on, so I launched my Zero Waste capsule collection. These garments are constructed from a single piece of fabric cut and produced with zero waste product. In addition to my Zero Waste garments, my entire business model was conceived to change consumer consciousness and behaviour. I offer bespoke tailoring; a pre-order option allows me to responsibly create pieces that are produced only after an order has been received, and my garments are made from responsibly sourced, low-impact natural fibres such as linen, reiterative wool, and organic cotton.

Yes, I believe it is our duty.

I see collaborations as the greatest form of inspired creativity. As artists, we are constantly influencing and inspiring each other. I believe in the power of shared creativity and the unique hold it will have over the future of Ashlyn.

I started designing the Autumn/Winter 2021 collection during the pandemic, a time of serious pause, reflection and rebirth for me. I challenged myself to reevaluate my role as a designer: how could I change the fashion system to reduce its adverse impact on the environment? I committed myself and my company to make this change. I focused on eliminating waste in cutting and adjusting my production system.

Every moment from that experience seems miraculous and like a dream. I am always looking for new goals to achieve and this level of recognition is pushing me further into my work.

I always tell my daughters: never give up on yourself. Throughout my career, so many people told me that I would never be able to pursue my dream of launching my own brand, while also raising a family. Industry norms prevent women from balancing career and personal life. It’s like pick one: brand or baby. I don’t believe in that. I’ve cut out wasted time to work super efficiently with my team so that they too can enjoy their personal lives. We all deserve happiness.

I’m committed to doing my part to better the fashion system. I want to continue to build my atelier in my own way, to create a happy and healthy environment for my team so that we can reduce waste in all forms. I have a great respect for the artistry of design; the attention to every detail, and the focus on perfecting the interior construction of the garment. I will continue to work in this way and share this technique with my team and future generations of designers.