André Kim

Infobox Fashion Designer


|caption=
name=Andre Kim
nationality=Korean
birth_date=1935 (72 years old)
birth_place=Goyang, South Korea
death_date=
death_place=
education= Kukje Fashion Design Academy
Hanyeong High School
label_name=Andre Kim
significant_design=
awards=Cultural Merit Award (Italy)
Presidential Culture & Art Medal
MBC Honorary Award
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
Hawaii's Plaque of Appreciation|

Andre Kim (Hangul: _ko. 앙드레 김) is a Korean fashion designer based in Seoul, South Korea. He is known predominantly for his evening and wedding gown collections.

Biography

Andre Kim, Bong Nam Kim, was born in Korea, in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, in 1935. The son of rural farmers, Kim attended Hanyeong High School and graduated from the Kukje Fashion Design Academy. [ [http://english.kbs.co.kr/society/people/1353837_11774.html "Endless Pursuit of Creativity ("KBS Global")] 2007] Kim’s personal life has remained relatively private; all that is known is he has never married and has not indicated a wish to do so, although he has an adopted son.

Fashion Biography

Kim has been in fashion design since 1962. At the age of 27 he opened "Salon Andre" in Sogong-dong, Central Seoul, becoming Korea’s first male fashion designer. In 1966 he became the first Korean to hold a fashion show in Paris. He would later go on to hold many other fashion shows in New York, Washington DC, Barcelona, Cairo, Sydney and Beijing. [ [http://www.koreafocus.or.kr/culture/view.asp?volume_id=47&content_id=101196&category=C "The ‘Andre Kim Effect’ ("Korea Focus")] April 27, 2006]

In 1981, Kim was selected as Chief Designer for the 1981 Miss Universe beauty pageant. In 1988, he designed the uniforms of the Korean athletes for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Following this, he became a repeated invitee for occasions held by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In 1997, he was presented with South Korea’s Presidential Culture and Art Medal for his contributions to the fashion industry. In 2003, he was awarded Italy’s Cultural Merit Award and was elected as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador.

In February 2006, Kim hosted two elaborate private shows in Hawaii called, "Fashion Fantasia in Hawaii," at the Turtle Bay Resort during the SBS Open featuring over 140 garments. Gov. Linda Lingle and Mayor Mufi Hannemann attended and stayed until the wedding finale, which featured seven unique gowns and a groom. The hairstyles were fashioned by Aveda Salon and Spa and Liberty Salon Hair and were in keeping with Andre Kim’s “signature style” of parted hair embellished with rows of braids wound around the models' heads.

In the first show, four LPGA players and Korean actors, Shim Jee Ho ("Stained Glass"), Kim Min Jung ("Fashion 70s"), and Hawaiian favorite, Jeong Joon Ho ("The Twins", "Marrying the Mafia") modeled in Kim’s show. At the second show, hosted at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom, Kim's fashions were the centerpiece of a major fundraiser for the University of Hawaii at Manoa of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources apparel product design and merchandising program. Kim's shows also served as part of the 20th anniversary celebration for local television station KBFD. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/15/world/asia/15kim.html?pagewanted=print " A Longtime Shepherd of Korean Fashion ("New York Times")] September 15, 2007]

In November 2006, Kim showcased his costumes at the Angkor Wat temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Siem, Reap, Cambodia. The show was titled “Fashion Fantasia: Angkor Watt” and was the first fashion show held with the ancient temple as a backdrop. This fashion show was part of the Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2006 that kicked off in November 2006 and ran through Jan. 9, 2007. The 50-day event was titled “Ancient Future: The Myths of the Orient” and featured exhibitions on the Khmer civilization and the Silla culture “to provide an insight into the culture of Korea and Cambodia.” [ [http://mongkol.wordpress.com/2006/12/12/andre-kim-holds-the-first-fashion-show-at-angkor-wat/#more-376 "First fashion Show at Angkor Wat.("Korea Herald")] December 12, 2006] Actress Kim Hee-sun, who starred in 2005 Hong Kong Movie The Myth with Jackie Chan, and actor Kim Rae-won, leading man of a number of highly popular Korean dramas ("Love Story in Harvard","Attic Cat") and films ("...ing","My Little Bride"). That same month Kim also held a fashion show at Kyeongbok Palace on the 13th of 2006.

On February 10, 2007, Kim presented his menswear collection and was a celebrity judge for Manhunt International 2007 held at South Korea's Kangwonland International Convention Centre, a newly opened ski resort bidding for the next Winter Olympic Games. [ [http://www.manhunt.com.sg/news/news2.html "Andre Kim - The Designer Extraordinaire ("Manhunt International")] 2007] In March, Kim appeared in Shanghai, China to hold a fashion show and then arrived in Washington, D.C. on June 19, 2007 to hold a charity fashion show to benefit the UNICEF. On May 7, 2007, Kim held a fashion show at the Big Pallet Convention Center in Koriyama, Japan to mark the year of Korea-Japan friendship. [ [http://english.kbs.co.kr/society/people/1353837_11774.html "Endless Pursuit of Creativity ("KBS Global")] 2007] He also designed uniforms for the Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies in Yongin and took a foray out of clothes into designing washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners for Samsung. [ [http://blog.scifi.com/tech/archives/2007/02/02/glam_up_the_lau.html "Glam Up With A Gilded Washing Machine ("Scifi Tech")] February 2, 2007] Kim also has launched lines in cosmetics, golfing goods, sunglasses, and interior design of apartments. [ [http://www.koreafocus.or.kr/culture/view.asp?volume_id=47&content_id=101196&category=C "The ‘Andre Kim Effect’ ("Korea Focus")] April 27, 2006.]

Kim hosted at least two fashion shows during the summer of 2007. On July 12, Kim held a fashion show in Wuxi, China at the invitation of the Wuhsi municipal government and the large shopping mall ITFM (International Textile & Fashion Megamall) to celebrate both the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 15th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Korea and China. The show was the tenth Kim has held in China so far since his first in 1993 to mark the first anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The show was entitled "Four Seasons Fantasy" and showcased some 180 costumes highlighted by several themes such as "White Night," which held Kim's clothes against a snowy backdrop, and the "World's Immortal Masterpieces," which featured medieval paintings on clothes. [ [http://english.kbs.co.kr/society/news/1466301_11773.html "Korean Fashion Gains Popularity in China ("KBS Global")] July 132007] Several Korean celebrities modeled; singers Ivy and Son Ho Young walked down the runway as special models, in addition to all 65 contestants of the 2007 Miss Korea Beauty Pageant. [ [http://english.kbs.co.kr/society/news/1462598_11773.html "Designer Andre Kim to Hold a Fashion Show in China ("KBS Global")] June 212007] In August, Kim staged a show celebrating the opening of a large art hall at Seoul National University.

In the fall of 2007, to celebrate the coming of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, upon invitation from the Chinese government, Kim presented his designs, modeled by Korean actor Kim Rae Won, making this his second appearance on an Andre Kim fashion show, and actress Kim Tae Hee ("Love Story in Harvard","Stairway to Heaven"), at a fashion show in Qingdao, China in the September [ [http://english.kbs.co.kr/society/news/1466903_11773.html "Andre Kim to Hold Fashion Show in Beijing ("KBS Global")] July 162007] On September 15, 2007 a fashion show was held in Sabuk, South Korea. On November 27, Kim held another fashion show featuring Korean actress, Choi Ji-woo of Stairway to Heaven and Aircity fame [ [http://yummycelebrities.com/2007/11/27/choi-ji-woo-catwalk/ Choi Ji-woo catwalk | Yummy! Celebrities and Entertainment News ] ] .

On June 13, 2008, Andre Kim held a fashion show in Kyonggi-do, South Korea [ [http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200806132347541010&code=100600 "Andre Kim June 2008 Fashion Show ("Newsen")] June 132008] . Several Korean celebrities modeled including Honey Lee, 3rd runner up in Miss Universe 2007, Tim, a Korean ballad singer, actress Lee Eun-sung ("Evasive Inquiry Agency","Que Sera, Sera") and actor Ha Seok-jin ("Hello!Miss"). Interestingly, the latter two will soon be co-starring in the 2008 Korean drama, I Am Happy.

For a full listing of Andre Kim's Fashion shows, visit his [http://www.andrekim.co.kr/sub_02.php official website] .

Future Plans

To be updated.

tyle

The designs of André Kim are said to "combine classical designs with futuristic elements", often resulting in distinctive designs with bold, rich colors and motifs of Asiatic patterns, often of large roses, birds, or tree branches. For his fashion shows, Kim favors white-toned settings to bring out the unusual colours of his designs.

His designs are held in high regard by Korean celebrities, and many of these celebrities model in his fashion shows. His wedding dress fashion shows are particularly renowned for showcasing famous celebrities. Kim’s fame also extends beyond Korea’s borders, Michael Jackson once asking him to be his personal designer. However, Kim declined stating his clothes were for everyone. [ [http://www.koreafocus.or.kr/culture/view.asp?volume_id=47&content_id=101196&category=C "The ‘Andre Kim Effect’ ("Korea Focus")] April 27, 2006]

Kim has said", "Fashion should portray grace, intellect, artistic beauty, and youthful energy. Not too classic. I don't like 'old.' Even though I was born in 1935, I don't feel my age. I feel like a teenager who is 10 or 15 or 20 years old in a fairy tale, a fantasy, young and brilliant."

Trivia

* Known for his many eccentricities, one of which is wearing heavy black eye-liner [cite book|last=Breen |first=Michael |title=The Koreans: Who they are, what they want, where their future lies |publisher=Thomas Dunne Books |date=2004] and wearing all-white outfits, which is said to be his favorite colour, often with a brightly coloured scarf.
* Noted for maintaining a rigorous work schedule despite his age. Rising at 5:30 in the morning, he reads 17 newspapers and watches the 5 TVs in his apartment to remain up-to-date on the celebrity world. Between arriving at his office at 9 a.m. to work with this staff, designing new clothes, and meeting with guests, Kim once said it has been less than 10 years since he started to have lunch regularly [ [http://www.koreafocus.or.kr/culture/view.asp?volume_id=47&content_id=101196&category=C "The ‘Andre Kim Effect’ ("Korea Focus")] April 27, 2006] [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/15/world/asia/15kim.html?pagewanted=print " A Longtime Shepherd of Korean Fashion ("New York Times")] September 15, 2007]
* Does not drink alcohol or coffee or smoke.
* His first name 'Bong-nam' is considered a very traditional and somewhat "old-fashioned" Korean name. His signature name 'Andre' was thus chosen at the suggestion of a friend in the French Embassy, a name that sounded "poetic" to him. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/15/world/asia/15kim.html?pagewanted=print " A Longtime Shepherd of Korean Fashion ("New York Times")] September 15, 2007]

Honors

*Chief designer of the 1981 Miss Universe beauty pageant
*Italy's Cultural Merit Award, 1982
*Presidential Culture & Art Medal, 1997
*MBC Honorary Award, 2000
*UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, 2003
*Honorable Ambassador at GwanGju, 2004
*Plaque of Appreciation from the Honolulu, Hawaii's Gov. Linda Lingle, 2006
*Official fashion designer of Manhunt International, 2007

External links

* [http://www.andrekim.co.kr Andre Kim's Official Site]

References