Lee Goes From Playing Cello to Designing Clothes for Rockers
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
How does someone who grew up playing the cello and on her way to becoming a professional musician, end up designing clothes worn by the likes of hard rock musician Marilyn Manson?
This is exactly what fashion designer Lee Ju-young’s story is about. Lee has played the cello since she was 10 years old, even going to the United States to study at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and Rittenhouse Academy. Even with her musical talent, Lee grew up surrounded by fashion. Her mother is well-known designer Sul Yun-hyoung.
In an interview with The Korea Times at her shop Resurrection in Cheongdam-dong, Lee said her mother wanted her to pursue a career in music, not in fashion design.
``I think she hated it (my decision to go into fashion). I think she thought I would have a more comfortable life as a musician, and I can earn more money. But even when I was doing classical musical recitals and performances, I would always design my dresses,” she said.
Her music career appeared on track, even performing at Carnegie Hall and White House. She also completed a master class under renowned cellists Yo-yo Ma and Mstislav Rostropovich.
However, it seemed the lure of fashion proved to be too strong. After years of studying music, Lee said one day she just decided to go into fashion design.
``I think its the same, music and fashion. … I started designing in college but I took a designing course at the Parsons School of Design. Then I came back to Korea and worked for my mom for 10 years,” she said.
By 2003, Lee knew she was ready to start her own collection. Her collection, Resurrection by Lee Ju-young, is a far cry from her mother’s designs featuring classically beautiful, traditional Korean hanbok.
Lee’s style is more of a glam-rock-and-roll style, with lots of black, leather and shiny fabrics, as seen with the fall/winter collection she presented during the Seoul Collection last March. Her collection featured modern, stylish clothing perfect for rock stars with attitude on the red carpet. Models walked down the runway to the beat of music composed by her husband rock musician Kim Ba-da.
``This time, for my concept, I thought about industrial rock. I used a lot of shiny materials, leather. I had a more structured silhouette,” she said.
As proof that rock-and-roll musicians love her clothes, even hard rock music icon Marilyn Manson has worn several of Lee’s creations. ``Marilyn Manson loves my clothes. For his new album cover, I'll be doing his clothes. He came to Korea three years ago for a concert. I sent him some clothes and he loved it. I also did his wedding and music video, too,” she said.
Her shop in Cheongdam-dong reflects Lee’s style philosophy. Black furniture, chandeliers and unique crucifixes from all over the world create a modern, gothic ambience. Lee said she enjoys collecting crucifixes when she travels around the world. The crucifixes are a reference to her brand name Resurrection, which in Christianity refers to the rebirth of Jesus Christ who died on the cross.
Top Korean music stars such as Yoon Do-hyun, SG Wannabe and TVXQ have worn Lee’s edgy designs. Lee admits ``star marketing” is very powerful tool for fashion designers in Korea.
``If a celebrity is seen wearing your clothes and they know the designers, it sells out so fast. Koreans like to follow celebrities for trends and even lifestyle,” Lee noted.
Like many young Korean designers, Lee also dreams of making it in the competitive fashion industry in the United States. ``I’m planning to go to some trade shows in the United States next year. I’ve only had my shop for three years, so I’m still starting out. But I hope it works out,” she said.