Ahead of our LCF MA17 menswear catwalk show on Friday 6 January (watch the live link here), we’ve been talking to the MA Fashion Design Technology Menswear graduates who’ll be showcasing their collections at the show. Next up is Jooin Yang, who explored dressing, undressing and redressing in performing garments. He was inspired by the late Italian artist Lucio Fontana and Spatialism while developing his Undressed to Redress collection.
MA Fashion Design Technology Menswear graduate Jooin Yang. Cover Image: Michiel Meewis, Hair: Waka, Visage: Dora, Assistants: Christiana, Jay and Matteo. Model: Tarum @ Models 1.
Can you tell us about your collection?
My collection focused on the exploration of dressing, undressing and redressing in performing garments to create corridors of pattern cutters. The idea behind my collection was the former Italian painter Lucio Fontana and Spatialism, plus the way he used canvases. I like how he differed from two-dimensional space to three-dimensional space, I wanted my work to look at different elements. I was also inspired by British contemporary installation artist Mike Nelson. He uses space in a beautiful way, creating lots of room and spaces in the same building. I was inspired by his book and photographs, and what he did with corridors and made them look like they were moving. Movement and moving space was what I wanted my collection to be about. I tried to practice different ways of wearing garments and dressing so I could find a new way of designing garments to the body. The collection is called, Undressed to Redress, it’s all about movement and space.
Where did you study prior to your MA at LCF?
I graduated in South Korea many years ago then worked for a Menswear fashion company for over five years. I was a technician and pattern cutter back home, but I needed more experience to move up so I decided to come to London and study MA Menswear.
Reflecting back on your MA, and thinking of any prospective students thinking about starting an MA, what would be your top three tips/bits of advice for them?
- Time management – it’s very important to balance your schedule and have everything ready.
- Lifestyle balance! You need to keep a healthy lifestyle balance between working and food.
- Be prepared on time as deadlines come round very quick.
Why did you choose LCF and MA Fashion Menswear?
I heard that London College of Fashion is really famous for its menswear course. When I saw the curriculum for the course I thought it was very suitable for me. Tailoring played a big role for me as I was a pattern cutter for five years. I saw this as a way to build my design skills. I was previously very focused on the technical parts of the garment, I need to focus and develop my designs skills – that’s why I wanted to apply to LCF.
What have you found the most enjoyable and interesting parts of your course? And what have you found the most challenging?
Studio work! Bouncing off my course mates and seeing different design concepts from all over the world was the most enjoyable part of the course for me. This was the most enjoyable because working, learning and spending time with my course mates has really inspired me. I was a little worried about being on the course at first because of the age gap, I’m 33, and many of my course mates are a decade younger than me.
Communication and time management was a very challenging part of the course for me and still continues to be. My English is very limited which makes things difficult, especially during tutorials with my course leader as I struggled to explain my vision and idea to him.
What was your favourite thing about studying in London?
I really love London! This city has incredible artistic resources available to everyone. There are art galleries and museums for everyone, also the fashion community is inspirational. I love Savile Row! I also really love how British people respect culture and tradition. I really like the British lifestyle.
Describe your work in five words…
Undress, redress, performing, tailoring, and menswear.
Do you have a muse? If so, who and why?
I don’t really have a muse but I really respect all tailors. I’m also really inspired by YSL and Dries Van Noten.
What are your future plans and how do you think the course will help you to realise these plans?
I really want to stay in London after the menswear show. I’m going to try and look for a job in the city, gain some experience, and hopefully in the future start my own business. LCF has really helped me understand my design style and vision for the future. I really do think it’s helped me understand what I want to do. My course leader Darren and Jay (who teaches on the course) have been very inspirational!
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