SOLZ: What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to get involved in the fashion industry?
Dahae:
1) “throw out your fantasy”
Fashion designer’s life is not as glamorous as you see in media or you imagine. This is pure hard work. There is enormous amount of detail you have to take care of. You have to deal with perfection, pressure, stress, harsh critiques and communication all the time. Also, opening a business takes a long time, and establishing and settling down as a independent company takes longer time. Finance is not the best friend to fashion designers as well. So, throw away your fantasy, and get ready to be in real tough world and fight through.
2) “don’t lose your faith”
It is tough, not as easy as you think. But as long as you have faith in yourself, you can do anything. It may sound corny but it is true and always the first thing I say to myself and others. You have no idea how hard it was to come this far. Fashion industry itself is very tough. As an international graduate, It was way harder for me to work in a start-up fashion business. Issuing visa, finances, living life… I had to deal with a lot of difficulties. However, even with all the hard times I went through, I have never wanted to quit what I do because of my faith. I knew I could do it. I knew I have strength in my to push it through. That is why I am who i am now. Don’t lose your faith, and be passionate then it won’t betray you.
from The Emergence of Dahae Kim
She’s so cool!