Comeback Kid
Prestige Singapore|November 2016

Known to her Instagram followers as @ireneisgood, Korean American Irene Kim is a breath of fresh air in the often cutthroat and competitive world of so-called “fashion influencers”. vincenzo la torre reports.

Comeback Kid

IT'S NO NEWS that South Korea is having a moment and that the country’s pop culture has come to eclipse the influence of Hollywood, at least in this part of the world. Irene Kim, who grew up in Seattle, is part of a new generation of Korean-Americans who, aware of this phenomenon, have embarked on a sort of reverse diaspora and decided to go back to the country their parents had left for a better future in the US.

After moving to Seoul, Kim started working as a model, and in spite of her decisions to not undergo plastic surgery and to dye her hair pink and blue (both against the advice of her manager), she’s become one of the few personalities to make it big both in the rarefied world of global high fashion and the buzzy reality of K-Pop. On a recent visit to Hong Kong, where she took part in a Max Mara photography exhibition celebrating the Italian’s label’s 101801 coat, Kim took some time to sit down for a chat.

HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN FOR YOU? 

I would say that all of this happened organically. I didn’t plan anything. I think that along the way I started planning, but really it was that I loved talking about fashion, posting about fashion and posting outfits. I guess people were inspired by it. I’ve just been myself throughout the whole thing; like I just felt like colouring my hair one day and I didn’t tell my agency and I just went in with blue hair and they were like: “You’re not going to book any jobs any more.” Because at that time, there was no Asian girl with coloured hair. I was modelling at the time and that season, I booked the most shows during Seoul Fashion Week. So it shows that when you do something, just do what you want and stick with it.

HOW DO YOU SELECT THE BRANDS YOU WORK WITH?

Denne historien er fra November 2016-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 2016-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA PRESTIGE SINGAPORESe alt
Sailing Into A Dream
Prestige Singapore

Sailing Into A Dream

Scenes from the fantasy feature Game of Thrones come to life in the otherworldly landscapes of the Arctic Circle.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
Here Come The Sun Seats
Prestige Singapore

Here Come The Sun Seats

Italian furniture has long held the crown for blending luxurious, sophisticated design with impeccable craftsmanship.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
ABSOLUMENT FAB
Prestige Singapore

ABSOLUMENT FAB

France's premier fair for fine-art and antiques returns for its third edition inside its new home in the Grand Palais.

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
Through the Director's Lens
Prestige Singapore

Through the Director's Lens

Filmmaker JIA ZHANGKE and his protégé RAFAEL MANUEL share their perspectives on life, cinema and their current projects.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
THE CUTTING EDGE
Prestige Singapore

THE CUTTING EDGE

Having long played quiet supporting roles in the gem industry, gem cutters are finally having their day in the sun. Four acclaimed independent master gem cutters share more about their love of the craft and the creation of their best pieces.

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
Spheres of Power
Prestige Singapore

Spheres of Power

Following up on the gold- and titanium-focused Tiffany Titan by Pharrell Williams launch collection, the superstar now turns to pearls for a softer, but no less striking, second act.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Horological Masterpieces Reimagined
Prestige Singapore

Horological Masterpieces Reimagined

Beyond the wrist, these timekeepers transcend all traditional boundaries.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
WILD IMAGINATION
Prestige Singapore

WILD IMAGINATION

Cartier's latest category-spanning Panthère de Cartier novelties showcase the endless ways in which the panther continues to inspire.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
READY FOR ACTION
Prestige Singapore

READY FOR ACTION

The latest watch to come from the celebrated Richard Mille and McLaren partnership looks set to be another trailblazing timepiece.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
THE RIGHT ANGLES
Prestige Singapore

THE RIGHT ANGLES

Twenty-five years after the launch of its last new collection, Twenty-4, Patek Philippe introduces the Cubitus range.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024