Ji Won Choi, who is unveiling her new collection as part of the CFDA and LIFETWR presentation on Sept.6, was born in Seoul, South Korea and grew up in Oklahoma. A 2017 Parsons School of Design graduate, the designer has already developed an exclusive collection for Yoox and partnered with Bergdorf Goodman. Her unique upbringing is reflected in her work, which investigates human cultures and uses design to promote positive change. Ahead of the CFDA x LIFEWTR presentation on September 6th during New York Fashion Week, Choi shares the story behind her highly personal upcoming collection.
Describe your design for Series 6 and what the inspiration for it is?
My collection for Series 6 is about collecting and taking control of my own identity. I’m a Korean immigrant who grew up in Oklahoma, and I felt like an “other” and out of place for the majority of my life–like I didn’t belong in the country that I love so much. It led me to reject my Korean culture completely when I was growing up. Now that I’m older and have experienced so many other cultures, I learned to see the beauty in our differences and have finally embraced my own. This collection was born from a recent realization that I don’t have to choose one singular culture to identify with and that I can be both Korean and American and whatever else I am influenced by.
I was inspired by the idea of piecing different cultural design elements – that don’t necessarily go together – to create a whole. That was very symbolic of how I feel about my own cultural identity.
What does this opportunity means to you?
As a young, emerging designer, this opportunity means that people actually care about my work and what I have to say. There are so many talented young designers out there, and to be selected to present new work is incredible and very humbling.
What are you looking forward to the most on Sept. 6?
[Telling] my story about being an immigrant in the US and struggling with self-identity.
Being very passionate about addressing issues in our society, I’m hoping that creating a collection that confronts this topic can help even one person who is struggling with their own cultural identity.
Where do you hope to be career-wise in five years’ time?
I just hope still be creating! I really hope that I have established my label and continue to create work that I am passionate about.
