There is nothing traditional about Kee Kim’s path to the fashion industry – but then again, neither are his designs. The Korea-born designer moved to the U.S. in 2013 to study within Yale University’s prestigious Graphic Design program. After landing a gig with design consultancy and brand strategy firm 2×4 – whose client list includes Nike, Calvin Klein, and Sies Marjan – Kim’s creative projects started to extend to the fashion world. Years of working on visual campaigns and special projects for Prada triggered an affinity for the industry. In 2018, he decided to take his newfound passion beyond the screen and translate his ideas into three-dimensional creations with his newfound label KEENKEE.

Defined by unique textiles and expert layering, the line adds a fresh perspective and twist to menswear with asymmetrical paneled shirts, layered hoodies, and pleated skirts. Ahead of his NYFW debut, we sat down with the designer to learn more about his transition to fashion and his career ambitions.

Can you tell us about your background and why you decided to pursue a career in fashion?

I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea in 1984. I studied at Seoul National University, School of Art, where I received BFA, majoring in Visual Communication Design.

I came to United States through Yale University School of Art with Graphic Design MFA program in 2013.

Graduating from Yale University in 2015, I moved to New York City since I received an offer from MTV. Half a year later, I began working at an international design consultancy called 2×4 for several years. Among many various cultural and commercial sector clients, I was given the responsibility to focus in managing the conceptual idea and design for fashion related projects, one of which was Prada. There were many different types of prompts, which contains their code and vision that I had to visualize accordingly. Naturally I had to keep thinking about fashion all the time.

As a fashion designer who majored in graphic design, I found myself working on visual graphics. During the process, I tend to associate visual elements with complicated layers and dimensionalities. To go beyond more than two-dimensional surfaces, I began creating multi-dimensional layers: clothes.

How would you describe your brand and fashion philosophy?

We provide series of tweaked conventions and filtered surreal extremes in multiple scales — relevant layers. We believe in personalization in which each person may create their own system and logic within a mixed-up situation, and the process should be playful. Ambivalence is normal, and we play with it.

What sets your brand apart? What do you hope it brings to fashion?

The brand introduces new textiles and graphics. Unorthodox details and conventions are injected within menswear vocabulary, and even sometimes proportions and details come from that of womenswear. The brand will introduce fresh wardrobe which the wearers could freely interpret with their own language.

What was the inspiration behind your upcoming NYFW show? 

Dynamics of pedestrian movements on the street of New York City: standing, hovering, walking, walking faster, and so on.

Where do you see your brand in five years? Are there any goals you hope to achieve?

I believe that KEENKEE will be recognized by people as an approachable ready-to-wear brand for both men and women.

T­he goal is to have one brick-and-mortar-retail space where the merchandising and display go experimental, and the brand will release seasonal collections in collaboration with young and unexpected talents.