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Interview with Minki Bae from Rosemin
by Simone Turner
So you want to be a fashion designer...
Ever dreamt you'd work for one of Melbourne's exclusive fashion labels? Maybe imagined seeing a garment you designed on a celebrity? Or perhaps, longed for the freedom to be creative and express your own ideas in your everyday job?
It can happen...
Meet Minki Bae, 22 year old fashion designer for Rosemin, Melbourne, Victoria. She already works for a successful fashion label, has traveled half the world, owns a wardrobe to die for, and a blooming career. Anyone wanting this kind of success may feel envious, but before you think "oh it's who you know", think again. Minki comes from Korea and landed in Melbourne knowing only one person. Her career proves that if you want to get somewhere the number one thing is to believe in yourself and have that drive and persistence. "Don't be afraid and just be confident. Some of my friends have wanted to go for jobs but say "oh I would never get it though", but I say "don't worry about that, give it a go and don't be scared".
One of the reasons why many of us doubt ourselves is because firstly, we think we don't have enough experience to be a fashion designer or secondly, we're simply not good enough.
Minki gives us the low down on how she broke into the fashion industry and why she never stopped believing in herself.
Minki Bae with Australian designer Roger Grinstead
Where she began...
Born in Korea, Minki completed High School and decided to travel the world before studying full time. Although she has now lived in Australia for five years, she knew no English and learnt it from scratch! While being lucky enough to have a mother who also carries a creative streak in interior design, but also fashion, Minki says "my Mum's a very fashionable person. When ever I look at my baby photos I see I always had fashionable clothes, like a yellow dress with a yellow head scarf, or a little skirt with a cap". Yet as well as a creative gene from Mum, she believes that even from a young age, she always loved clothes. "I wanted to study and I wanted to be a doctor. But then I hated school, my Mum said "don't worry about studying", I love clothes so that's how I started".
What got her where she is today...
"I highly recommend RMIT Fashion School in Brunswick. They push you so hard, I studied from 9 - 3.30pm everyday, it's like a high school, but I learnt heaps in such a short period of time" she says. RMIT is Minki's recommendation, although there are others throughout Australia. Not all designers start off here, but RMIT provides a great start for anyone wanting to learn the essential tools of fashion design. Another important aspect which goes for any career is work experience! Don't be afraid to approach top designers, volunteer for a day and help out in any way you can.
Minki admits she was lucky to have people pushing her to show off her designs. "I worked in Rosemin as a casual staff (voluntarily), just for a day. I was still at university. When I started they knew I was at fashion school. The girls really pushed me... I really appreciate those girls so much for that", she says. Minki says she then had an interview with Rosemin who wanted me to show her designs to her. "I brought all of my dresses and things I made, Rosemin loved it and asked me to start placement upstairs just for one day".
Although she had a little push, Minki believes work-experience and persistence are the key for anyone wanting to break into the industry. As mentioned earlier, the problem is that many people doubt them selves of what they are really capable of doing. Some people don't go for jobs or push them selves to get that work experience. Minki was lucky to have some extra support, but she knows it was volunteering and getting experience, that helped her get where she is today.
Designing for Rosemin...
Minki says "Rosemin's designs include about 80% of dresses, though we have now started doing leather jackets and little shorts too". Rosemin's target market is from the ages 15 - 40. Minki states "although Rosemin's older she doesn't look old at all and is really young inside. She doesn't care about age and feels every woman deserves to feel sexy". Seeing Rosemin's garments, it's easy to see she designs to suit many different peoples taste and body types. Whether be slim, tall, short, curvaceous or pear shaped, Rosemin believes every woman, no matter what age, should get to feel special. Although Minki designs for Rosemin, she still has the freedom to express her ideas and be creative. Rosemin contributes to the designs, so they design together. "Rosemin and I compliment ideas. I design it, she designs it", Minki says.
Australian fashion and living in Australia...
Admittedly Minki doesn't think Australian fashion is that great, but says she just loves Australia. "It's so relaxing and there's just something about it, I love it". Minki believes Australia's lifestyle is definitely more chilled. In Korea, the busy 7.30am - 8.00pm daily schedule is stressful and exhausting, "they work really long hours and just stress all the time" she says. She believes Australia is more relaxing and cool and loves the great friends she's made along the way. Another bonus is she lives so close to her work.
The thing about Australia is that Australia is one season behind, so even Europe and Hong Kong are way ahead of us. Minki says "my Mum sends me photos because she'll buy a bag and I will be like, what is that!?" and then she will see those bags a few months later in Australia. Her Mum also sends her magazines from South Korea which Minki believes helps her create the latest looks. "Even Borders Bookstores are two months behind, magazines such as the French Vogue, are always behind".
One down-side of living in another country is missing your close friends. Although Minki loves the Australian culture, she admits it's her friends and her own culture that she misses most. "Another thing I get really frustrated with in Australia is that the shops are not open until late", she says. "In Korea the shops are open 24/7, so if you wanted to get your hair done after dinner you can, or if you want to catch up with girlfriends and say "hey lets go shopping now", you can do that too".
Highlights...
"I love when I go out to a party or anywhere, and I see someone wearing my dress and they're looking amazing in it", admits Minki. Last year was another proud moment. "I was having breakfast at a café with my girlfriend and was reading the Herald Sun, Krystal from Big Brother was wearing one of my dresses, I was so excited, I was like oh that's my dress!".
In the future...
At 22, the world is still at Minki's feet. She would still like to have her own fashion label but says "while working for Rosemin, I really only have time for one at the moment. I definitely want my own label in the future".
Take the risk...
If you are like Minki and want to work for a high profile fashion designer remember, don't be afraid to take the plunge! Whether you're interested in designing overseas or interstate within Australia, there are plenty of design schools around to help get you started.
TIPS FOR STARTING OUT:
* Believe in yourself, what you do, and be as confident as possible, if you want others to take you seriously, you must believe and take what you do seriously
* Don't be afraid to apply for work experience or a job. What have you got to loose?
* Get inspired! Don't just follow the trends around you wherever you are, get inspired by overseas fashion, your friends, family, anyone or anywhere. Be as creative as you can and always broaden your horizons where possible!
* If you intend to go to fashion school, research your schools well. This can be done easily on the internet. There are many fashion schools overseas and throughout Australia which can be found using this directory.
* Other Major Fashion Schools in Australia:
Academy of Design - Queensland
TAFE - NSW
RMIT -- Melbourne
Whitehouse Institute of Design - Sydney
* It's not an easy industry to break into, but remember, persistence does pay off!
Written: 31st July 2007 at 17.33
Comments: Click Interview with Minki Bae, designer for Rosemin Boutique to read comments.
