R.I.P. Andre Kim ( 12th August, 2010)
He knew how to brand himself. He cut an indelible, if somewhat ridiculous figure, on the runway with his mascara-lined scalp and white clothes; apparently Korean comedians love to mimic his dramatic flourishes and he knew how to leverage on his social network.
There's not much info on his own "rags to riches" story or in his case, how he rose from obscurity and transformed himself from Kim Bong Nam, son of a farmer to become Andre Kim, Korea's first male designer.
Andre Kim in the 1960s - before he redesigned his own image.
His brand name soon became associated with " luxury and romanticism" and he was the first designer to have a fashion show in front of the pyramids of Egypt and the man who turned down Michael Jackson's invitation to be his personal designer. ( For a list of other 'firsts' and feathers in his cap, click here)
He was open to the suggestion of a diplomat from the French Embassy to adopt an “easy foreign name” as the first step towards becoming a world-class designer. He seemed to have done a fair bit of networking with the expat community and the diplomatic corps, learning more about the world through his contacts as well as taking the opportunity to share with foreigners his pride in his own culture.
For Hallyuwood stars, like Choi Ji-woo and Lee Young-ae, invitations to appear in his fashion shows became a yardstick of their own popularity. His commercial savvy prompted him to let his name be linked to other products like Samsung washing machines, Hankook Chinaware and wallpaper. It would be interesting to know how well his company has been doing actually, in terms of domestic and international sales, who his main customers are and more importantly, what direction his company will take after his demise.
Here's what Andre Kim once said in an interview with the Chosun Ilbo:
" During the Japanese colonization and right after the Korean War, my village in the countryside was very poor. Yet a new bride wore new clothes for a year. Though it was economically difficult, people were always clean, neat and beautiful. The kitchen was gleaming, and my mother always wiped the floor clean. When I see today's well-off people with their dirty houses, I get really annoyed. Even when we were poor, our food, clothes, and houses were clean and aesthetic. We are people with a high taste for culture."
I very much doubt I'll ever wear any of his creations but here's what I will remember the man for:
- his incredible work ethic - did you know he taught himself English and took pride in his ability to use Queen's English? He woke up at 5:30 a.m. every day and read 17 newspapers to keep himself updated and in touch with events.
- He personally made Christmas trees and had them delivered in style to his friends. That puts me to shame when I'm so bad at even sending out Christmas cards.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hEawusZ9yZM_kQZS8okDk6odMkrA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Kim
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/08/113_71362.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VydypYHRtRE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZanqu27kWI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlk2SRcoqvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAHV6VzOj4M&feature=related
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/08/113_71362.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/08/13/2010081300532.html
http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?sec=8&id=4459
http://en.akihabaranews.com/9568/misc/samsung-does-tuning-for-washing-machines
http://www.korea4expats.com/news-Andre-Kim.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/07/13/2007071361019.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/11/20/2009112000316.html
