Yuna Yang, the "Sure Winner" who has shone at New York Fashion Week twenty times,

interview and text by writer Lee Soo-jung, Storyteller

Drawn to opera and Leonardo da Vinci, she set off for Italy. There, she encountered "fashion" as if by destiny. In the heart of fashion, Italy, she studied fashion in London and gained practical experience. Despite working overnight in unheated spaces and suffering from frostbite, her heart remained warm with the dream of launching her own fashion brand by the age of thirty. In 2010, following New York Fashion Week, the media hailed Yuna Yang as a "Sure Winner." Since then, she has participated in New York Fashion Week twenty consecutive times, an event often described as "like picking stars from the sky." Today, "YUNA YANG" has established itself as a top luxury brand sought after by Hollywood's leading film studios, the world's top models, and famous celebrities. This is the story of Yuna Yang, whose shining name has become possible.

Yuna Yang studied Western painting in Korea and took a design course at the prestigious Instituto Marangoni in Milan, Italy. Her unique designs, blending Eastern culture and Western aesthetics, caught the eye of Alviero Martini, a luxury brand designer in Milan, and she showcased her evening dress collection at Milan Fashion Week in 2002. She then moved to London, gained experience at the renowned Central Saint Martins, and launched "YUNA YANG" in New York based on her experiences in Europe. In the 2010 FW season, she debuted at New York Fashion Week and was selected as one of Manhattan Magazine's "5 Rising Star Designers" and one of Moze Dubai Magazine's "5 International Designers to Watch" in 2012. She has continued her successful journey, collaborating with 20th Century Fox, the Met Gala, and various prestigious department stores.

Meeting fashion, which would become her "calling," felt like destiny.

As she approached graduation from her painting program, she found herself contemplating whether she could live her life as an artist. While she enjoyed the creative process, she wondered if she could endure a life of solitude in a studio for long periods. She felt the need to organize her thoughts. Having admired Leonardo da Vinci and enjoyed opera, she decided to study Italian in Milan. Little did she know that this six-month language program would completely change the course of her life.

The language school where she learned Italian was located in the heart of Milan, on Via Brera. Every day, she would stop by the espresso bar in front of it for a cup of coffee. At that time, young Asian women were rare in Milan, attracting curious glances. One day, while ordering coffee, an Italian grandmother asked where she was from. Without thinking, she replied "artist," and the grandmother, who turned out to be a "craftsman" who had worked for 30 years at the luxury brand Valentino, invited her to her studio. For the first time, Yuna Yang was introduced to a fantastic couture workshop, opening the door to a completely new world. Captivated, she stepped confidently into that world.

She enrolled at Marangoni, one of Italy's top fashion schools, in a short course that allowed her to complete the three-year program in one year. At that point, she knew little about fashion. The language was still a barrier. However, when her instructor Marcella saw her sketches, she exclaimed, "Oh my, she must be a genius." That one comment became a guiding light for her. Through her studies at Marangoni and her work in the field, she learned what fashion truly is: a combination of art and business. Unlike fine art, it involves engaging with contemporary issues and communicating them through collections. Collaboration is essential, as one must work with many people. While she sometimes envied fine artists who could work on long-term projects, Yuna Yang discovered her own heartbeat as she prepared for new seasons. She had found her calling in fashion.

After passing through London, she finally entered New York.

At crucial moments, good people always provided accurate advice. A senior designer, ten years her senior, asked her what she hoped to achieve in ten years. She replied, "I want to launch a brand where I can tell my own story." The senior suggested that if her goal was to launch an independent brand, she should consider studying further. Following that advice, Yuna Yang flew to England to study at the prestigious Saint Martins while also working.

The women's wear course at Saint Martins was filled with promising, talented designers from their respective countries. Although they were students, they proudly referred to each other as "designers." There were times when she felt intimidated by their remarkable skills. Whenever difficult moments arose, she recalled Marcella's advice: "There will always be designers who are better than you and those who are worse. But the design you create is unique in the world." Remembering those words gave her strength.

As graduation approached, while researching various cities, she realized that Manhattan's Garment District would allow her to start an independent fashion brand even without significant funds or manpower. The saying "If you succeed in New York, you can succeed anywhere" came to mind. If she was going to take a chance, New York's toughness made it even more appealing.

In New York, everything was new and challenging again. First, she had no connections. She packed samples into an orange suitcase and went around workshops, PR companies, and showrooms to find buyers. She often heard that while her designs were good, the brand name was unfamiliar and the prices were high. Some even told her, "You won't sell a single piece of clothing." She considered giving up, but since she had come all the way to New York, she thought she should challenge herself at New York Fashion Week. It was an all-or-nothing mindset. In 2010, she participated in New York Fashion Week, and the outcome was successful. After her debut show, she was featured on the cover of WWD, known as the "fashion bible," and received high praise as a "Sure Winner." She was also recognized as a "designer to watch" by New York Magazine and Manhattan Magazine. Over the next ten years, "YUNA YANG" has continued its record-breaking journey as an independent high-end designer brand, participating in New York Fashion Week a total of twenty times.

"Participating in New York Fashion Week for ten years has not been an easy process. I faced challenges in terms of capital, networking, and everything else. Fortunately, thanks to the support of those who provided venues almost for free from the first season, I was able to continue showcasing my work. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude."

Yuna Yang's designs are beloved by countless stars in Korea, including Uhm Hyun-kyung, Lee Yoo-ri, Park Joo-mi, and Hwang Shin-hye.

She finds happiness in doing work that makes her heart race.

Having participated in New York Fashion Week in 2010 after passing through Milan and London, she received high praise as a "Sure Winner" after her debut show, being featured on the cover of WWD.

Stars who love Yuna Yang's designs include Julianne Hough from "Dancing with the Stars," Jessica Lowndes from "Beverly Hills 90210," Grammy winner Carrie Underwood, legendary supermodels Karol Art, Brittany Snow, and the Kardashian family, as well as Korean superstars like Hwang Shin-hye, Kim Min-jung, Kim Hye-ri, Byun Jung-soo, and Bae Jong-ok. The list of stars who adore Yuna Yang's designs is too long to mention.

Julia Perry, vice president of the global film company 20th Century Fox, also sought out Yuna Yang. When asked, "Where do you find inspiration when creating clothes?" she answered, "Women." Shortly after, she was entrusted with designing promotional outfits for the Fox-produced films "Water for Elephants" and "Red Tails." What is the reason behind the intense love for Yuna Yang's designs? She believes in creating collections that make her heart race with a creative mindset. She also values collaboration with local artisans and believes in maintaining a firm conviction, even at a loss.

As expected from the fashion capital, New York's fashion scene is tough. However, over the past decade, she has learned that there are many warm-hearted people in this world. While she works intensely, she never forgets the warmth of relationships, which is reflected in her designs. The philosophy of the "YUNA YANG" brand resonates deeply with that sentiment: maintaining a continuous interest in social issues and striving to create a slightly more beautiful world. Because of this, Yuna Yang also offers warm advice to those aspiring to become fashion designers today.

"Fashion is a challenging field, but what in the world isn't difficult? Take the challenge. And if you're not happy, it's okay to quit. Whatever you do, I hope you choose something that makes your heart race with happiness. I do this work simply because I love fashion, and it makes my heart race and brings me joy."

Yuna Yang's smile, as she finds happiness in doing work that makes her heart race, seems to beautifully illuminate the new year of January 2021. It is the confident and gentle smile of a "Sure Winner.