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The Global Fashion Hub and Ye Jin Song's Journey
The city of New York, renowned for hosting one of the "Big Four" fashion weeks, stands as a global beacon of style. Attracted by its diverse opportunities and celebrated design teams, many designers and international students pursue their dreams in this bustling metropolis. Amidst the intense competition fueled by passionate designers worldwide, Korean designer Ye Jin Song has carved out a prominent role at the global fashion brand DKNY. Song transitioned from a stable designer career in Korea to pursue her grander ambitions by studying at New York's Parsons School of Design, eventually becoming a designer at DKNY (Donna Karan New York).
Interview and Article by Hari Ju, Intern Editor
Photo Credit
Q: When did you first aspire to become a fashion designer, and what led you to this career?
From a young age, I enjoyed creating various things, including doll clothes and occasionally altering garments as a hobby. However, it wasn't until before high school that I contemplated pursuing a career as a fashion designer. One day, I was captivated by a "Project Runway" episode where contestants designed and presented clothes within a limited time frame and specific concepts. I was drawn to that challenging environment, striving to produce the most beautiful creations under time, concept, and budget constraints.
Q: What is your current role at DKNY?
I serve as a designer on the Women’s Outerwear team at DKNY—Donna Karan New York. Every item of outerwear, including coats, down coats, and leather jackets produced and sold by our company, passes through my hands. During each season, all teams—including design, sales, production, and fabric teams—convene to establish concepts and schedules. The design team is actively involved from start to finish, deciding seasonal colors, developing samples, and leading the process to final products. Since outerwear is manufactured overseas, coordinating with international vendors via email ensures everything runs smoothly and addresses any issues.
Q: What do you find captivating about being a fashion designer?
Seeing my designs consumed by a wide audience is incredibly rewarding. Fashion design, to me, is a commercial art form that's close to the public. It’s not just about creating beautiful works I love; these pieces must also be adored by many. I continually ponder what designs people might prefer, which elements are appealing, and what might cause discomfort. This close connection with consumers brings immense satisfaction and is the true allure of the fashion designer profession.
Q: Why did you decide to study fashion in New York after establishing yourself as a designer in Korea?
Although working in Korea was challenging, it was truly enjoyable. However, I aspired to experience and learn within a larger market. I wanted firsthand exposure to the global fashion infrastructure. My ambition was to harness beneficial insights to invigorate Korean fashion. After much deliberation between France and the U.S., I realized that my fashion goals aligned more closely with New York's industry. Ultimately, it proved to be the right choice.
Q: Having worked in both Korea and New York, how do you compare them?
While it depends on the company, broadly speaking, work hours in Korea tend to be longer, with the demanding nature of fashion design often seen as a given. Fashion design is indeed labor-intensive, requiring extensive hours of work. Yet, if fair compensation accompanies these efforts, designers can work joyfully. In the U.S., although fashion designers work relatively longer hours compared to other jobs, completing work on time is valued, and overtime is compensated, which seems quite rational. Moreover, separating work from personal life after hours enhances personal focus. Outside company dynamics, the Korean fashion industry has its strengths. Korea excels at swift fabric and trim development with outstanding quality, which was surprising to discover many American companies use Korean fabrics and collaborate with Korean factories. Unlike other countries, Korea boasts a unique system where all fabrics and materials are centralized in one place, like the Dongdaemun Market. The rapid market responsiveness to trends is another substantial advantage of the Korean fashion industry.
Zero waste, Recycling project featuring a cape-like coat.
Q: What are your future ambitions and goals as a designer?
My future aspiration is to create a brand that embodies my philosophy. While it may seem naïve, I desire a world where everyone is happy. The challenge before my brand launch is producing goods that satisfy both producers and consumers. Quality must pair with reasonable pricing and minimized environmental impact. Designers are increasingly focusing on ethical products, yet attracting public interest remains challenging. I'm still exploring the best ways to achieve this. Currently, I'm engaged in "Zero Waste, Recycling" projects to eliminate fabric waste or transform old clothes into new garments. My designs, like the cape coat and a dress made from my husband's sweatshirt, have been well-received by both professors and friends. I look forward to sharing these methods with others.
Ye Jin Song
Ye Jin Song holds a degree in Fashion Design from Kyung Hee University. She began her career as a designer at KIOK and NUDYMELLOW in Korea before relocating to New York to graduate from Parsons with a degree in fashion design. Following her stints at globally renowned brands JILL STUART and ELIE TAHARI, she is now thriving as a Women's Wear Designer at DKNY, Donna Karan New York.
