A Conversation With: Juun.J
Juun.J’s signature modern tailoring is influenced by street culture and sportswear and plays out as an open conversation with young generations. His term for this: “Street Tailoring”. The designer graduated in 1992 from Esmod in Seoul, launching his namesake label in Paris in 2007. Today, he his part of Chiel Industries and is considered among the most prominent Korean designers.
Are you a dreamer?
I consider myself as a dreamer. All designers are dreamers. We design clothes that people will wear a year later, considering how to dress them beautifully. We are all dreamers thinking of future’s beauty.
How do you distinguish sleep dreams and life dreams?
Sleep dreams are more beautiful and regretful. Life dreams require effort to become reality.
Had you dreamed of becoming a designer?
Becoming a fashion designer was my childhood dream. I have achieved my dream and the dream to create more beautiful design.
Why do you think people dream of working in fashion?
Fashion comes with the fantasy that it’s beautiful and fancy, which leads people to dream of working in the industry. However once that dream becomes reality, the pain of creating something new, the heavy work load, and short timeline can be stressful. I think people who also love the stress are the ones really committed to the fashion industry.
Do you try to interpret your sleeping dreams?
In Korea, there is something called ‘Hae-mong’ which means sleep interpretation. A lot of people believe that sleep dreams are prophecies, but I don’t believe so. I consider my sleep dreams to be a longing for what I imagine or want to see.
Do you get creative ideas from your sleeping dreams?
When you dream of something beautiful that is beyond words, this settles in my heart and mind.
Have you ever translated a dream into an actual design?
Those that have been accumulated over time become big data for me, and in a way, they have been reflected somehow.
When was the last time a dream came true for you?
My dream of the Fall/ Winter 2022 collection, which has been presented today. I am happy.
Name someone whose own dreams have inspired you?
Every artists’ dreams. Beautiful and original artworks.
To what extent do you think fashion is about proposing/selling dreams?
I consider fashion as giving people imagination at the closest distance — everyday through what they wear. Designers’ dreams become peoples’ dreams.
Do dreams help us make sense of reality or do they help us escape?
I tend to focus more on reality and try harder to achieve my dreams.
Do you have a dream that remains unfulfilled?
The future collections, but I shall keep on dreaming until I bring them to full fruition.
What is your wildest dream for the state of the world?
As a designer who travels a lot for work, I always dream of teleporting.
What is one dream you would like to achieve this coming year?
To put an end to this pandemic.
The photo captures the desire to travel and be teleported — with style.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.