JiyongKim's "Daylight Matters" First Collection Is a Study of Weathering
A striking sustainability-focused range dominated by sun-faded fabrics.
Standing as an emerging disruptive force, Jiyong Kim, the young South Korean designer behind the eponymous label JiyongKim, is questioning the 92 million tons of waste generated by fashion every year in his own manner. Despite being a recent graduate of Central Saint Martins, Kim has already designed for Lemaire and worked as a Design Assistant at Louis Vuitton under Virgil Abloh.
For his graduate menswear collection, the designer put together his “Daylight Matters” first collection. The sustainability-focused range of eight looks is constructed of reclaimed vintage garments, textile industry offcuts and antique fabrics. Straying away from the traditional square cut textile pattern and extensive waste of water and use of harmful chemicals with standard dyeing production methods to further cut down on waste.
Continuing his environmental outlook, the designer also harnessed a powerful natural source of energy to continue his disruption of the fashion life cycle. Each garment assembled with reclaimed fabric and hardware is placed on mannequins and left out in the sun to trigger a study of weathering. Left up to five months, the natural sun-faded effect leaves the finished clothes with unique and dynamic patterns of discoloration. Expedited by repeated rainfall and movement caused by wind, the vintage fabrics fade much faster than new textiles for a visual depth that cannot be replicated by man. Kim’s garments lean on the drapey side to create relaxed forms that play off of the dynamic designs left by the sun-fading.
Check out the “Daylight Matters” first collection above and take a look at the sun-fading efforts of JiyongKim in action below.
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