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Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection

In an ode to her vase collection, Jisoo Jang’s graduate collection highlights the art of storytelling with an environmental conscious

Jisoo Jang is the type of person who believes in the value of storytelling.  “I’m the type who, when I wear clothes, chooses the perfume that matches the look and becomes the person who fits the mood to enjoy the day.” For the Korean designer, each design decision is underscored with purpose. “When buying a flower, it’s put in a vase that matches its scent and appearance because the scent, mood, and emotion conjure up memories.” Why is her process so thorough? “Because then what I spend [my money on] is emotionally durable, worth cherishing. It doesn’t just end up simply as consumption, but it makes a special day-to-day-experience.”

Check Jisoo Jang’s portfolio on Pinterest

Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang, Final Collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection

“I’ve always thought of myself to be a person who can enjoy nature’s beauty by developing sustainable techniques and materials.”

Tackling the hedonism of the fashion industry head-on, at the core of Jang’s principles as a designer is the environmental impact of her work. Graduating from Central Saint Martins with a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design with Knitwear, Jang cites her practice as a testament to her rural upbringing in the countryside of Islan, South Korea, a small city situated to the northwest of Seoul. “I used to run around the mountains,” she reflects. “I think my values about nature come from these good memories of my childhood, where I could enjoy the purity around me. I loved the colours, the scents and textures. So from there, I’ve always thought of myself to be a person who can enjoy nature’s beauty by developing sustainable techniques and materials.”

Jang’s final collection titled ‘The Collector’, pays homage to her hoarding habits. “I can’t explain my taste without [referring to] my collection of things. I find happiness when I pile them up and look at my collections. You might ask what’s the criteria, as they’re so various, but it reflects my personality.” Jang’s shrine of objects and trinkets prompted her to deliberate on the meaning of what we deem as precious. “These days, there’s a lot of products coming out, and I want to talk about continuous consumption and the future of the Earth.” Her virtuous intentions have manifested into a collection that honours preservation over wastage, savouring versus discarding. In an ode to her fondness for vase collecting, Jang constructs a story for each ceramic vessel, the agent in her final collection, fashioning six muses. “Assuming that each vase was a character, I imagined a collection and matched the scent to her. They became a part of me, my memories, my experiences and my happiness.”

Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang, Research and Design Development
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection

Unpacking the possibilities behind wearable objects, Jang’s research began with an object called an ‘air vase’, which is made with paper and laser cutting. Creating a lattice effect, the technique implores  a sculptural feel to Jang’s voluminous collection, while also citing the works of Caroline Broadhead, a jewellery artist in the ‘70s – and CSM alumna holding the position of the Jewellery and Textiles Programme Director and BA Jewellery Design Course Leader for almost ten years –  exploring the intersection between object and garment. The multi-dimensional structures are a testimony to Jang’s early training growing up, studying ceramics for eight years and attending a specialised creative high school, focused on traditional Korean art. Yet, despite her piqued interest in ceramics throughout her childhood, Jang pinpoints the moment she decided to map her affinity for her collectables onto the runway. “During a foundation class at CSM, I saw the White Show, and felt my heart thump.” In rapture with the silhouettes, the textures, to the production, it marked her first fashion show, and by result the catalyst for her foray into the industry.

“As a knitwear student, I was so sad that I couldn’t use the knit workshop for ideas I’d developed for a long time, so I had to change the knit techniques into crochet.”

Produced under the confines of lockdown, Jang returned home to Korea, and as a result, was forced to reduce the number of looks. “As a knitwear student, I was so sad that I couldn’t use the knit workshop for ideas I’d developed for a long time, so I had to change the knit techniques into crochet.” But in the face of global travesty, Jang found some benevolence, collaborating with her mother on a crochet dress for the collection, something she’d never imagined in London. Despite the unforeseen deviations, the theme behind Jang’s collection is poignant for the period of its creation,  boasting zero-waste patterns and sustainable materials, Jang wants her clothes to provide emotional longevity. “I want my designs to make people happy, joyous and know their choice is sustainable; that sustainable fashion is not that difficult and can be fun. Not everyone is interested in fashion, but people wear clothes everyday, so even those who aren’t interested should think about where the clothes are coming from.”

Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang, Research and Design Development
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection

“I met so many amazingly creative people and could live every day surrounded by arts in London which was a new world for me. I cannot imagine myself without the five years in CSM.”

Navigating graduate life, Jang has since seen her work worn by the likes of Lady Gaga for Billboard Magazine. She remains humble, reflecting on her tenure in Granary Square as the most memorable time of her life. “I met so many amazingly creative people and could live every day surrounded by arts in London which was a new world for me. I cannot imagine myself without the five years in CSM.” Were she to do it differently, Jang considers that she, “Should have enjoyed London more, hung out with fun friends, gone to galleries and places that I never been to. For designers it’s really important to have fresh stimulation. There’s so many things to enjoy and get some new inspiration, so never hesitate to have fun!” What comes next for the designer? “I’m preparing my own brand with my friends who also graduated this year. I feel like I’m so ready to start a new collection!” And long-term, Jang is bursting with ambition. “I want to build up a big company like LVMH and scout many young artists who’re doing something fun, not just restricted to fashion, maybe a collaboration with a scientific brand or a housing brand?” While her own personal pathway for the future remains open-ended, Jisoo Jang remains certain of one thing: “making the future of the Earth happy.”

Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang, illustrations
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection
Jisoo Jang wants to “make the future of the Earth happy” with her graduate collection