How did your sewing journey begin, and what first inspired you to start making your own clothes?
My sewing journey actually started with a very practical task: my husband always needed his new pants hemmed! So, I started by shortening his pants. From there, I moved on to making small accessories, and I even tried quilting for a bit. But I quickly realized that garment-making was where my heart truly belonged.
As a Korean designer, do you feel your culture or the fashion you grew up around has influenced the way you design today?
Absolutely. Korean aesthetics have always been about clean lines, relaxed silhouettes, and a subtle structural balance—elements that naturally find their way into everything I design. Growing up surrounded by Korean fashion, I learned to appreciate effortless elegance and functional simplicity early on.
The biggest transition for me has been blending those design sensibilities with Canadian lifestyle preferences. Where Korean fashion often favours lightweight, easy-care fabrics, Canadian style heavily leans toward natural fibres. Merging the two has become a core part of my process—bringing that signature Korean drape and refined silhouette into beautiful, breathable natural materials that fit seamlessly into everyday life here.
Looking back, do you remember the first garment you made that truly felt like you?
Yes! It was a simple, loose-fitting dress made from a Japanese sewing book. What made it so special wasn't a complex technique, but how it felt the moment I put it on. The proportions were just right, the fabric felt gentle against my skin, and it was effortlessly wearable. That piece made me realize that great design isn't about complexity—it's about the harmony between fabric, fit, and daily life.
Are you mostly self-taught, or did you study fashion? What was the biggest challenge when you first started sewing?
After a one-day class to pick up the absolute basics, I mostly taught myself as I went along. I always chose manageable projects, letting my skills build naturally with each new piece. Whenever I bumped into a trickier technique, I'd take a quick class to get guidance from a teacher and work my way through it.
What does your creative space look like today, and how has it changed since you first began sewing?
My studio today is in my living room, and it's just perfect for my creative workflow. It holds my cutting table, sewing machines, filming gear, and the desk where I edit my sew-along videos on my laptop. When I first started, my setup was just a small table with a sewing machine tucked into a tiny den in my apartment! Over time, it has evolved into a well-organized space designed for both precise pattern drafting and peaceful making, with my Royal Dress Form now taking centre stage.
When you're creating a garment, what matters most to you: the silhouette, the fit, the fabric, or the feeling someone gets when they wear it?
They are all closely connected, but for me, it always starts with the silhouette and proportions, and ends with the feeling someone gets when they wear it. A well-proportioned silhouette catches the eye first, but how the piece actually feels on the body is what gives it life. When a garment offers both effortless style and complete comfort, it builds confidence and a sense of pride. That emotional connection to a handmade piece is truly what makes sewing so special.
Your work always feels very intentional. Where do you usually find inspiration?
Inspiration comes mostly from everyday life and functional details. I find myself observing what people wear in TV dramas and how clothing moves during daily routines. Other times, inspiration comes directly from a new fabric—as a small fabric shop owner, a beautiful linen or a unique jacquard texture will practically tell me what kind of garment it wants to become.
Before discovering Royal Dress forms, what was your experience with dress forms like? Were there any challenges or frustrations you kept running into?
Before getting my Monica from Royal Dress forms, I had a dress form I brought from Korea because it was more affordable than what was available here in Canada. It was soft and pinnable, but it lacked realistic body proportions, and over time, the surface wore down and shredded quickly. I honestly thought that was just standard for dress forms—until Royal Dress forms completely changed my perspective. The precise lines and realistic shape have made a world of difference in my sewing and pattern making, making it so much easier to drape accurately and gauge length and proportions properly while drafting.
How did you first hear about Royal Dress forms, and what made you decide to try one?
I can't recall the exact moment, but I think I first saw it on the Instagram feed of a sewist I admire. When I saw the anatomical realism and the quality of the materials, I knew it would be an invaluable tool for drafting and styling my makes.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone who's just beginning their sewing journey, what would it be?
It might sound a bit cliché, but embrace the process and enjoy making mistakes! Sewing is a technical skill, but it's also a way of living. It isn't about filling in the right answers—it's about creating your own world. Technical perfection can never replace the pure joy of making.
Thank you Sara Kim