A conversation with designer Lie Sangbong
CULTURE & MUSIC
Designs by
Lie Sangbong
Photographed by
Kevin Sinclair
Lie Sang Bong began his career by creating couture garments for private clients at his atelier in Seoul. In 1993, he presented his first ready-to- wear collection, “The Reincarnation,” during Seoul Fashion Week. He quickly gained favor among Korean celebrities and the press; in 1999 he received the ‘Designer of the Year’ Award from the mayor of Seoul. Wanting to expand the brand’s business into Europe, LIE SANGBONG began to show during Paris Fashion Week in 2002. As the notoriety of Mr. Lie’s collections continued to grow, he participated in several col- laborative projects. In 2007, he created the Cyon Shine Mobile Phone by LIE SANGBONG with LG Electronics.
One of the first limited-edition cell phones to be designed by a fashion designer, it features a modernized pattern of Hangul characters etched into the casing. Continuing his exploration of Hangul characters, he also designed several porcelain pieces with Haengnam Porcelain Com- pany which later became part of the permanent collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Among his numerous other accomplish- ments, he has also created uniforms for the A1 Grand Prix Korean national team (2008) and de- signed an exhibit to celebrate the first anniversary of the Korean Cultural Center in London, later displayed in Trafalgar Square (2009). Lie Sang- bong has continued to expand its international business and, after 12 years of showing in Paris, the collection celebrated its New York Fashion Week debut with the Fall-Winter 2014 collection. “My goal is always to move design forward in a way that pays respect to tradition while providing something that is relevant for the present.
The confident, intelligent women of New York have an innate understanding and appreciation for this balance and I am excited to have the opportunity to share my collections with them,” says Mr. Lie.
Lie Sangbong continues to receive critical ac- claim and has been featured in publications including: Vogue, Vanity Fair, W, The New York Times, Le Figaro, The Telegraph, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. Mr. Lie has dressed notable women such as Korea’s First Lady, Beyoncé, Ri- hanna, Lady Gaga, Rosario Dawson, Kelly Row- land, and Juliette Binoche. An influential artistic and cultural figure in Korea, he currently acts as the president of CFDK (Council of Fashion De- signers of KOREA) and a cultural Ambassador for the City of Seoul.
Designs by Lie Sangbong. Photography by Kevin Sinclair. Hair by Elsa Model Sasha V @ Muse Model Management
What sparked your interest in fashion?
I originally started out as a theatre & film student at the Seoul Institute of Arts whom unintentionally stumbled across a fashion advertisement that peaked my interest and decided to sign up for a couple of design courses. From there, I began to fall in love with the architectural and artistic expressions that derives from a beautiful garment.
Are you self-taught or did you study fashion design?
I eventually graduated from the Fashion pro- gram after 2 years of vigorously applying myself. There were definitely many sleepless nights all year round. I was fortunate enough to be able to start my career in the fashion industry soon after.
How has your work evolved since you began your own label?
My earlier collections began as mainly artistically-inspired concepts transformed into wearable sculptures. But I wanted to challenge myself further. As a designer, we are given access to many types of platforms to exhibit our work, I believe they’re also opportunities for us to create something meaningful and impactful to society, which is why I began incorporating important cultural heritage or events into my collections such as the recent Pyeong Chang 2018 Olympics into my Fall & Winter 2017 Collection and had the runway show in Ghangzhou as a way to promote peace between Korea & China.
What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?
Other cultures, significant events, and artists are usually the inspirations to my collections. Each collection allows me to study these events more in-depth and reimagine them into modern garments.
What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your company?
To be able to understand the past, live in the present, and create a path for the future. Every steps must be planned and strategically implemented for a successful future.
What advice would you give to young designers?
Being passionate about what you do is very important. When you are passionate about your work, it translates into what you produce and the audience can definitely feel it. Natural talent may not be an over- night discovery, it could take a bit of time and may require a lot of effort but that’s the beauty and excitement of challenging yourself.
What would you like to achieve before the end of the year?
As the Dean of Graduate School of Hongik University, I would like to end the semester well and lead the high school fashion contest once again. The contest originally started in a smaller setting and is now available internationally for students in countries such as France and China to participate.
Are you superstitious or do you have any rules you live by?
Not so much superstitious but 37 was a big milestone in my life where I encountered many obstacles and underwent a lot of changes in my life. I learned many things about myself that year and will always con- sider it a significant symbol of growth and enlightenment.
What’s your motto?
I spoke numerously about challenges, so my personal motto would be to always question, always be curious, from obstacles arises many great inspirations and the end results are much more fulfilling.
“To be able to understand the past, live in the present, and create a path for the future. Every steps must be planned and strategically implemented for a successful future.”
Order your copy of issue 02 here