The Designer
GRACE MOON: Fashion Designer
Fashion Designer
Grace Moon, a veteran in the international fashion industry, amassed an experience of close to 30 years in the United States of America. The fashion designer carries a portfolio of showcasing her work at the New York, Paris and Lond Fashion Week. Setting a standard of her own in fashion, the fashionista fulfilled the role of a judge at the Face of Asia model contest. An Asia Model Awards show featuring Asia’s and Korea’s top models. Now, setting her foot in Bangladesh as one of the judges of the international panel of jury for the Face of Bangladesh 2020, Moon shares a glimpse of her realm in fashion.
Her Style Mantra
Inspiration comes from all places, but for me, it comes from culture. In most of my designs, I have always attempted to fuse Korean heritage with a more Western expression seamlessly. Blending and showcasing my bi-cultural background, innately American and innately Korean. You must stay connected to your roots and adapt to your environment to create something you can call it your own.
Blending past and present
Trends reemerge time and again. As such, lots of “past trends” have and are coming back with modernised twists. My cultural heritage plays a massive part in relating past and present trend. I draw heavily on Korean cultural attire called “hanbok” which have been worn for hundreds of years. I utilise the specific aspects of classic trends as the base and add my knowledge of the current trend to bring a unique and fresh take on “trends of the past”.
The meaning of success
The fashion industry changes from season to season, so it’s essential to keep abreast of the trends. Behind the creative flair of the fashion industry is the business acumen needed to keep a company running. In addition to getting hands-on experience in the field, you should also familiarise yourselves with what goes on behind the scenes—such as finance, sales, and marketing. You have to have the foresight of what you want to represent in your creations. You have to be unique, and that can be different things to different people. You have to hone the ability to see the harmony in different cultures, race, sex or religion to inspire yourself truly.
The Dream Maker
SEUNG WON KIM: Makeup Artist
Makeup Artist
The art of makeup isn’t restricted to women only. Makeup artist like Seung Won Kim has proved the world that art has no gender. The renowned “dreaming artist” (as he refers to himself) believes in finding something worth doing and refuses to work only for financial gains. The man truly believes in the inner glow and is the definition of hard work will take you to the stars. As one of the judges of the international panel of jury for the Face of Bangladesh 2020, Kim shares his drive as the renowned makeup artist.
Changing tracks
I majored in animal husbandry in college. While working at a chemical company after graduation, I became determined to find a profession that I could enjoy and appreciate. After contemplating for six months, I finally discovered my holy grail in the realm of makeup artistry.
Expert advice
When you are applying makeup on yourself, it is very crucial how you hold your mirror. The common misconception is holding the mirror directly in front of you while squinting your eyes for applying makeup. That forms wrinkles, and you end up with a disproportionate makeup on your face. First, remove any makeup that you might have slept in, and wash off makeup from earlier on in the day. If you try to apply more makeup over the top of old makeup, your end look will appear caked on and more unnatural than makeup applied on a fresh face. Secondly, when you are ready to do your makeup, make sure that you are holding or keeping your mirror below your chin. In that way, you are looking down at the mirror and can apply makeup proportionately without having to squint your eyes.
Driven by Beauty
When my clients look in the mirror with their transformed look after my job is done, they break into a broad smile. At that instance, I feel that their happiness is coming from their very heart. Nothing can beat that feeling. That is what I aim to achieve with every client of mine. Watching them leave with a smile and with the belief that they are beautiful is what drives me to do better. Whenever I have done my work on my clients, I hope that I was able to make their day a little brighter. If I succeed in doing so, I find happiness as well.
The Entertainer
BENEDICT GOH: Fashion Week Organiser
Fashion Week Organiser
Best known for hosting the TV show The Pyramid Game, Benedict Goh is more than what meets the eye. The suave man can easily pass for someone a decade younger. He is a man wearing many hats as an actor, model, client officer of interior design firm Fide Living who refuses to age. He is a style icon for many youngsters, even now.
Sharing the Vision
In essence, you need to find the right partners who share the same vision as you have. Being an event organiser means that you will depend on a lot of people. The show producer, the AV guys, logistics guys and various more parties will be involved, which is why your team needs to be strong and be on top of every aspect of an event.
His Motto
Sincerity and honesty go a long way. In addition to that, your partners need to have the same mindset as you do. For example, in my experience, I was urged to do a fashion show with the option of taking funds from the government. Getting funds from the government might be easier than the private sector. However, that also means that you’ll have to assign front-row seats for government officials in a ramp show. It just doesn’t go together. It is also imperative to choose your sponsor carefully. You have to determine whether their vision is lenient towards yours.
Facing the Challenge
It was in an event in Singapore. We were informed that our venue was no longer available less than two weeks before the first day of our event. It was a nightmare; we had to tell all of our sponsors and our fashion designer that the layout of the venue has changed. We had no plan B until we decided to set up a massive tent outside of the venue. It was like a Ballroom. It had everything the venue would have. However, it was a terrible headache to deal with. I believe in Murphy’s Law, what can go wrong, will go wrong. So you always have to be on your toes, hope for the best, prepare for the worst.