Jon Dunbar is a copy editor at The Korea Times, as well as editor of the Foreign Community page and curator of the Korea Times Archive. If you have suggestions for possible articles, or wish to contribute articles yourself, contact jdunbar@koreatimes.co.kr.
Skunk Itaewon hosts DIY fashion pop-up
Models wear clothing by Eyeronxc. Courtesy of Eyeronxc
By Jon Dunbar
An American artist named Kylee is officially launching her upcycled fashion brand Eyeronxc this weekend in a collaborative pop-up with her friend Tejin's brand, Flirty, at Skunk on the Sunset, the punk headquarters of central Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood.
"I don’t really see myself as a designer — more like an artist using clothes as my medium," Kylee told The Korea Times. "I never make the same piece twice. Each piece I modify is a one-of-a-kind creation, transformed into something new. Each item is unique, shaped by what I have on hand and the direction I’m feeling at the moment."
Kylee models some of her creations in front of a curtain with her design at Skunk on the Sunset in central Seoul's Itaewon. Courtesy of Eyeronxc
Starting at 2 p.m., they will showcase their collection of punk-vibed and upcycled clothes and accessories. The collection on display includes pieces from Flirty modified by Kylee.
"I’m excited to see how people connect with their new form," she said.
They will also operate a DIY badge-making station offering customized designs for 32-millimeter pins or letting people decorate their own.
Model Song Suejung wears Eyeronxc designs at the now-closed Skunk Sindang. Courtesy of Eyeronxc
Kylee admitted she struggled for a while coming up with the right name for her brand, going through a few names before settling on Eyeronxc, which she explained is pronounced the same as "ironic."
"If anyone knows me, they know I love eyes. It’s my favorite thing to draw," she said.
"When I thought about how irony could play into the work I do, I realized the act of upcycling donated clothes is, in a way, ironic. We live in a world where once something is worn out or outdated, it’s often discarded, considered worthless. But in my work, I take those very items — things others might overlook — and transform them into something new, unexpected and brought back to life. It’s the opposite of what you’d expect — something discarded becoming something appreciated. So as I say, your trash is my treasure."
Dorothy models Eyeronxc's clothes at Skunk Sindang. Courtesy of Eyeronxc
Upcycling involves giving new life to discarded materials and repurposing one material for something else.
"When I first started, I actually used dental floss for stitching, but quickly realized it was definitely not sustainable," she said. "So I switched to waxed thread, which ended up being cheaper and way more durable in the long run. I would burn the ends with a lighter so they’d melt into the pieces instead of tying them. After experimenting with other materials that didn’t melt well, I tried different threads, which I’m still exploring today."
Nizzelle models clothes designed by Eyeronxc. Courtesy of Eyeronxc
Upcycling fashion is a natural fit with the DIY ethos of punk.
"I’ve always been drawn to alternative fashion," she said. "I’m drawn to how expressive it is — not just in fashion, but in hair and makeup, too. That influence definitely comes from my experience as a hair designer. I think punk is really just a term people use to express a desire to be liberated in the way they present themselves to the world."
Her work found inspiration especially in crust punk, a fusion subgenre of anarcho-punk and extreme metal also known for its visual style. Patches, spikes and visible stitching feature heavily in Eyeronxc designs. The clothes look like they're about to fall apart, fastened back together or with unmatching parts, the fashion world's version of Frankenstein's monster. Some designs appear to be spray-painted on.
Paula models designs by Eyeronxc. Courtesy of Eyeronxc
Having lived in Korea since 2015, Kylee is fully aware of the reactions her designs get in public, and she takes it in stride.
"I think in any community, Korea or not, especially in environments where there’s a certain expectation for how people should look or behave, standing out can make others uncomfortable — whether out of fear or envy," she said.
Tejin wears a sweater collaboratively designed by Eyeronxc and his own brand, Flirty. Courtesy of Eyeronxc
Whether you're looking for a new miniskirt or battle vest or just want to satisfy your curiosity, all are welcome at Skunk's Itaewon location. The event starts this Saturday at 2 p.m. and runs until 7 p.m.
"Even if I don’t make a profit, my goal is simple: to show people that they can take something they already own and transform it into something they truly love — giving it new life and meaning," Kylee said.
Visit @eyeronxc on Instagram or lateforgig.kr/Flirty for more information.