André Kim
Encyclopedia
Andre Kim was a South Korean fashion designer based in Seoul, South Korea. He was known predominantly for his evening and wedding gown collections.
, as Kim Bong-nam. The son of rural farmers, Kim attended Hanyeong High School and graduated from the Kukje Fashion Design Institute.
Kim’s personal life remained relatively private. He had an adopted son.
. He would later go on to hold many other fashion shows in New York, Washington DC, Barcelona, Cairo, Sydney and Beijing.
In 1981, Kim was selected as Chief Designer for the 1981 Miss Universe
beauty pageant. In 1988, he designed the uniforms of the Korean athletes for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games
. Following this, he became a repeated invitee for occasions held by the International Olympic Committee
(IOC). In 1997, he was presented with South Korea’s Presidential Culture and Art Medal for his contributions to the fashion industry. In 2003, he was awarded Italy’s Cultural Merit Award and was elected as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador
.
In February 2006, Kim hosted two elaborate private shows in Hawaii
called, "Fashion Fantasia in Hawaii," at the Turtle Bay Resort during the SBS Open featuring over 140 garments. Gov. Linda Lingle
and Mayor Mufi Hannemann
attended and stayed until the wedding finale, which featured seven unique gowns and a groom. The hairstyles were fashioned by Aveda Salon and Spa and Liberty Salon Hair and were in keeping with Andre Kim’s “signature style” of parted hair embellished with rows of braids wound around the models' heads.
In the first show, four LPGA players and Korean actors, Shim Jee Ho (Stained Glass), Kim Min Jung
(Fashion 70s), and Hawaiian favorite, Jung Joon-ho
(The Twins, Marrying the Mafia
) modeled in Kim’s show. At the second show, hosted at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom, Kim's fashions were the centerpiece of a major fundraiser for the University of Hawaii at Manoa
of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources apparel product design and merchandising program. Kim's shows also served as part of the 20th anniversary celebration for local television station KBFD.
In November 2006, Kim showcased his costumes at the Angkor Wat temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Siem, Reap, Cambodia. The show was titled “Fashion Fantasia: Angkor Watt” and was the first fashion show held with the ancient temple as a backdrop. This fashion show was part of the Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2006 that kicked off in November 2006 and ran through Jan. 9, 2007. The 50-day event was titled “Ancient Future: The Myths of the Orient” and featured exhibitions on the Khmer civilization and the Silla culture “to provide an insight into the culture of Korea and Cambodia.”; special guest models were actress Kim Hee-sun, who starred in 2005 Hong Kong Movie The Myth
with Jackie Chan
, and actor Kim Rae-won (Love Story in Harvard
,Attic Cat). That same month Andre Kim also held a fashion show at Kyeongbok Palace on the 13th of 2006.
On February 10, 2007, Kim presented his menswear collection and was a celebrity judge for Manhunt International 2007 held at South Korea's Kangwonland International Convention Centre, a newly opened ski resort bidding for the next Winter Olympic Games. In March, Kim appeared in Shanghai, China to hold a fashion show and then arrived in Washington, D.C.
on June 19, 2007 to hold a charity fashion show to benefit the UNICEF. On May 7, 2007, Kim held a fashion show at the Big Pallet Convention Center in Koriyama, Japan
to mark the year of Korea-Japan friendship. He also designed uniforms for the Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies
in Yongin
and took a foray out of clothes into designing washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners for Samsung
. Kim also has launched lines in cosmetics, golfing goods, sunglasses, and interior design of apartments.
Kim hosted at least two fashion shows during the summer of 2007. On July 12, Kim held a fashion show in Wuxi, China at the invitation of the Wuhsi municipal government and the large shopping mall ITFM (International Textile & Fashion Megamall) to celebrate both the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 15th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Korea and China. The show was the tenth Kim has held in China so far since his first in 1993 to mark the first anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The show was entitled "Four Seasons Fantasy" and showcased some 180 costumes highlighted by several themes such as "White Night," which held Kim's clothes against a snowy backdrop, and the "World's Immortal Masterpieces," which featured medieval paintings on clothes. Several Korean celebrities modeled; singers such as Choi Siwon of Super Junior, Ivy
and Son Ho Young
walked down the runway as special models, in addition to all 65 contestants of the 2007 Miss Korea Beauty Pageant. In August, Kim staged a show celebrating the opening of a large art hall at Seoul National University
.
In the fall of 2007, to celebrate the coming of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
, upon invitation from the Chinese government, Kim presented his designs, modeled by Korean actor Kim Rae Won
, making this his second appearance on an Andre Kim fashion show, and actress Kim Tae Hee
(Love Story in Harvard
, Stairway to Heaven
), at a fashion show in Qingdao, China in the September On September 15, 2007 a fashion show was held in Sabuk, South Korea
. On November 27, Kim held another fashion show featuring Korean actress, Choi Ji-woo
of Stairway to Heaven
and Aircity fame.
On June 13, 2008, Andre Kim held a fashion show in Kyonggi-do, South Korea. Several Korean celebrities modeled including Honey Lee
, 3rd runner up in Miss Universe 2007
, Tim
, a Korean ballad singer, actress Lee Eun-sung (Evasive Inquiry Agency,Que Sera, Sera) and actor Ha Seok-jin
(Hello! Miss
). Interestingly, the latter two will soon be co-starring in the 2008 Korean drama, I Am Happy.
His designs are held in high regard by Korean celebrities, and many of these celebrities model in his fashion shows. His wedding dress fashion shows are particularly renowned for showcasing famous celebrities. Kim’s fame also extends beyond Korea’s borders – Michael Jackson
once asking him to be his personal designer. However, Kim declined stating his clothes were for everyone.
Kim has said, "Fashion should portray grace, intellect, artistic beauty, and youthful energy. Not too classic. I don't like 'old.' Even though I was born in 1935, I don't feel my age. I feel like a teenager who is 10 or 15 or 20 years old in a fairy tale, a fantasy, young and brilliant."
and colorectal cancer
at age 74.
The Korean press described his death as a loss of a Korean fashion icon.
Biography
Andre Kim was born in Goyang, Gyeonggi, KoreaGoyang
Goyang is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Goyang includes the new city of Ilsan, which is connected to Seoul via Seoul Subway Line 3. Goyang is bordered by Seoul to the south; walls of the Bukhan Mountain Fortress lie along a small portion of this border.Several institutions of higher...
, as Kim Bong-nam. The son of rural farmers, Kim attended Hanyeong High School and graduated from the Kukje Fashion Design Institute.
Kim’s personal life remained relatively private. He had an adopted son.
Fashion career
Kim has been in fashion design since 1962. At the age of 27 he opened Salon Andre in Sogong-dong, Central Seoul, becoming Korea’s first male fashion designer. In 1966 he became the first South Korean to hold a fashion show in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. He would later go on to hold many other fashion shows in New York, Washington DC, Barcelona, Cairo, Sydney and Beijing.
In 1981, Kim was selected as Chief Designer for the 1981 Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
beauty pageant. In 1988, he designed the uniforms of the Korean athletes for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
. Following this, he became a repeated invitee for occasions held by the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
(IOC). In 1997, he was presented with South Korea’s Presidential Culture and Art Medal for his contributions to the fashion industry. In 2003, he was awarded Italy’s Cultural Merit Award and was elected as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador
Goodwill Ambassador
Goodwill Ambassador is a collective term sometimes used as a substitute honorific title or a title of honor for an Ambassador of Goodwill; but, most appropriately for a generic recognition, it is a job position or description that is usually indicated following the name of the individual recognized...
.
In February 2006, Kim hosted two elaborate private shows in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
called, "Fashion Fantasia in Hawaii," at the Turtle Bay Resort during the SBS Open featuring over 140 garments. Gov. Linda Lingle
Linda Lingle
Linda Lingle was the sixth Governor of Hawaii. Lingle holds a number of distinctions: first Republican elected governor of Hawaii since the departure of William F...
and Mayor Mufi Hannemann
Mufi Hannemann
Muliufi Francis "Mufi" Hannemann is an American politician. He is the former Mayor of Honolulu. Hannemann has served as a special assistant in Washington, D.C., with the Department of the Interior, where he was selected for a White House fellowship in the Reagan administration under Vice President...
attended and stayed until the wedding finale, which featured seven unique gowns and a groom. The hairstyles were fashioned by Aveda Salon and Spa and Liberty Salon Hair and were in keeping with Andre Kim’s “signature style” of parted hair embellished with rows of braids wound around the models' heads.
In the first show, four LPGA players and Korean actors, Shim Jee Ho (Stained Glass), Kim Min Jung
Kim Min Jung
Kim Min Jung is a South Korean actress. She began her career at the age of 7. She graduated from Han Yang University with a degree in Theatre Arts...
(Fashion 70s), and Hawaiian favorite, Jung Joon-ho
Jung Joon-ho
Jung Joon-ho is a South Korean actor, who gained fame in the 2000 series, Women Like You, . His recent hits are The Last Scandal of My Life and IRIS. Jung Jun-ho has a passionate interest in singing...
(The Twins, Marrying the Mafia
Marrying the Mafia
Marrying the Mafia is a 2002 South Korea film released on September 13, 2002. It was an instant hit, beating out other 2002 film competitors such as Jail Breakers, The Way Home and Sex is Zero....
) modeled in Kim’s show. At the second show, hosted at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom, Kim's fashions were the centerpiece of a major fundraiser for the University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Hawaii at Manoa
The University of Hawaii at Mānoa is a public, co-educational university and is the flagship campus of the greater University of Hawaii system...
of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources apparel product design and merchandising program. Kim's shows also served as part of the 20th anniversary celebration for local television station KBFD.
In November 2006, Kim showcased his costumes at the Angkor Wat temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Siem, Reap, Cambodia. The show was titled “Fashion Fantasia: Angkor Watt” and was the first fashion show held with the ancient temple as a backdrop. This fashion show was part of the Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2006 that kicked off in November 2006 and ran through Jan. 9, 2007. The 50-day event was titled “Ancient Future: The Myths of the Orient” and featured exhibitions on the Khmer civilization and the Silla culture “to provide an insight into the culture of Korea and Cambodia.”; special guest models were actress Kim Hee-sun, who starred in 2005 Hong Kong Movie The Myth
The Myth
The Myth is a 2005 Hong Kong fantasy adventure film directed by Stanley Tong, starring Jackie Chan, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Kim Hee-sun and Mallika Sherawat.-Plot:...
with Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
, and actor Kim Rae-won (Love Story in Harvard
Love Story in Harvard
Love Story in Harvard is a 16-episode romantic Korean television drama broadcast in 2004, set in the United States and South Korea...
,Attic Cat). That same month Andre Kim also held a fashion show at Kyeongbok Palace on the 13th of 2006.
On February 10, 2007, Kim presented his menswear collection and was a celebrity judge for Manhunt International 2007 held at South Korea's Kangwonland International Convention Centre, a newly opened ski resort bidding for the next Winter Olympic Games. In March, Kim appeared in Shanghai, China to hold a fashion show and then arrived in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on June 19, 2007 to hold a charity fashion show to benefit the UNICEF. On May 7, 2007, Kim held a fashion show at the Big Pallet Convention Center in Koriyama, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
to mark the year of Korea-Japan friendship. He also designed uniforms for the Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies
Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies
Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies or HAFS is a private boarding school located in the northern part of Yongin, South Korea.- Founding :...
in Yongin
Yongin
Yongin is a major city in the Seoul National Capital Area, located in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. With a population of nearly 1 million, the city has developed abrutly since the 21st century, recording the highest population growth of any city in the country. Yongin is home to Everland and...
and took a foray out of clothes into designing washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners for Samsung
Samsung
The Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea...
. Kim also has launched lines in cosmetics, golfing goods, sunglasses, and interior design of apartments.
Kim hosted at least two fashion shows during the summer of 2007. On July 12, Kim held a fashion show in Wuxi, China at the invitation of the Wuhsi municipal government and the large shopping mall ITFM (International Textile & Fashion Megamall) to celebrate both the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 15th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Korea and China. The show was the tenth Kim has held in China so far since his first in 1993 to mark the first anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The show was entitled "Four Seasons Fantasy" and showcased some 180 costumes highlighted by several themes such as "White Night," which held Kim's clothes against a snowy backdrop, and the "World's Immortal Masterpieces," which featured medieval paintings on clothes. Several Korean celebrities modeled; singers such as Choi Siwon of Super Junior, Ivy
Ivy (singer)
Ivy is a South Korean singer, model and occasional actress.- 2005: Debut :A former JYPE trainee, Ivy first appeared in Lee Soo Young's music video "Holding onto the Flowers" in 2001. She officially debuted as a singer in 2005 with the single "What Happened Tonight"...
and Son Ho Young
Son Ho Young
Son Hoyoung is a K-pop singer, known for being part of the popular group g.o.d.-Life and career:Son was born in New Jersey, United States....
walked down the runway as special models, in addition to all 65 contestants of the 2007 Miss Korea Beauty Pageant. In August, Kim staged a show celebrating the opening of a large art hall at Seoul National University
Seoul National University
Seoul National University , colloquially known in Korean as Seoul-dae , is a national research university in Seoul, Korea, ranked 24th in the world in publications in an analysis of data from the Science Citation Index, 7th in Asia and 42nd in the world by the 2011 QS World University Rankings...
.
In the fall of 2007, to celebrate the coming of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
, upon invitation from the Chinese government, Kim presented his designs, modeled by Korean actor Kim Rae Won
Kim Rae Won
Kim Rae-won is a South Korean actor and model. Kim graduated from Joong-Ang University and his childhood dream was to become a basketball player, but his dream was shattered when he hurt his ankle tendon....
, making this his second appearance on an Andre Kim fashion show, and actress Kim Tae Hee
Kim Tae Hee
'Kim Tae-hee is a South Korean actress and model. She has appeared in several Korean Dramas such as My Princess, Iris and Stairway to Heaven.- Career :...
(Love Story in Harvard
Love Story in Harvard
Love Story in Harvard is a 16-episode romantic Korean television drama broadcast in 2004, set in the United States and South Korea...
, Stairway to Heaven
Stairway to Heaven (TV series)
Stairway to Heaven is a South Korean television drama series broadcast by SBS between late 2003 and early 2004. It stars Choi Ji-woo, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Tae-hee, and Shin Hyun Joon.-Plot:...
), at a fashion show in Qingdao, China in the September On September 15, 2007 a fashion show was held in Sabuk, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. On November 27, Kim held another fashion show featuring Korean actress, Choi Ji-woo
Choi Ji-woo
Choi Ji-woo is a South Korean actress.- Career :Choi was first discovered when she won a talent audition organized by MBC in 1994, and made her debut in the 1995's War and Love, after which she adopted the stage name Choi Ji-woo....
of Stairway to Heaven
Stairway to Heaven (TV series)
Stairway to Heaven is a South Korean television drama series broadcast by SBS between late 2003 and early 2004. It stars Choi Ji-woo, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Tae-hee, and Shin Hyun Joon.-Plot:...
and Aircity fame.
On June 13, 2008, Andre Kim held a fashion show in Kyonggi-do, South Korea. Several Korean celebrities modeled including Honey Lee
Honey Lee
Lee Ha-nui , better known as Honey Lee in the Western media, is a South Korean beauty pageant titleholder, classical musician, gayageum player, and actress. She represented her country at the Miss Universe 2007 pageant in Mexico City.-Background:Lee is the middle child of two daughters and one son...
, 3rd runner up in Miss Universe 2007
Miss Universe 2007
Miss Universe 2007, the 56th Miss Universe pageant, took place on May 28, 2007 at the National Auditorium in Mexico City, Mexico. 77 delegates competed for the title. Riyo Mori of Japan was crowned the winner of the title by Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico....
, Tim
Tim (singer)
Hwang Young-Min , best known by his stage name Tim , is a Korean American k-pop ballad singer. His songs are mostly about unrequited love or parted lovers. He has come into the spotlight as the next successor of male ballad singers in South Korea after Shin Seung Hun. and Lee Seung-Hwan...
, a Korean ballad singer, actress Lee Eun-sung (Evasive Inquiry Agency,Que Sera, Sera) and actor Ha Seok-jin
Ha Seok-jin
Ha Seok-jin is a South Korean film and television actor.- Filmography :He appeared in the Inbetweeners near the London club.*** Music Video Appearance...
(Hello! Miss
Hello! Miss
Hello! Miss is a South Korean drama series broadcast by KBS in 2007.-Main Characters:...
). Interestingly, the latter two will soon be co-starring in the 2008 Korean drama, I Am Happy.
Style
The designs of André Kim are said to "combine classical designs with futuristic elements", often resulting in distinctive designs with bold, rich colors and motifs of Asiatic patterns, often of large roses, birds, or tree branches. For his fashion shows, Kim favors white-toned settings to bring out the unusual colours of his designs.His designs are held in high regard by Korean celebrities, and many of these celebrities model in his fashion shows. His wedding dress fashion shows are particularly renowned for showcasing famous celebrities. Kim’s fame also extends beyond Korea’s borders – Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
once asking him to be his personal designer. However, Kim declined stating his clothes were for everyone.
Kim has said, "Fashion should portray grace, intellect, artistic beauty, and youthful energy. Not too classic. I don't like 'old.' Even though I was born in 1935, I don't feel my age. I feel like a teenager who is 10 or 15 or 20 years old in a fairy tale, a fantasy, young and brilliant."
Death
He died on August 12, 2010 due to pneumoniaPneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
and colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer caused by uncontrolled cell growth , in the colon, rectum, or vermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from anal cancer, which affects the anus....
at age 74.
The Korean press described his death as a loss of a Korean fashion icon.
Honors
- Chief designer of the 1981 Miss Universe beauty pageant
- Italy's Cultural Merit Award, 1982
- Presidential Culture & Art Medal, 1997
- France's Art and Literature medal, 2000
- MBC Honorary Award, 2000
- UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, 2003
- Honorable Ambassador at GwanGju, 2004
- Plaque of Appreciation from the Honolulu, Hawaii's Gov. Linda Lingle, 2006
- Official fashion designer of Manhunt International, 2007
- Mentioned in H20, a manhwa by Hwang Sook Ji