 |
Andre KimSouth Korean fashion designer
Date of Birth: 24.08.1935
Country:  South Korea |
Content:
Biography of Andre Kim
Andre Kim was a South Korean fashion designer, renowned for his collections of evening and wedding dresses. He was born as Kim Bong-nam on August 24, 1935, in Goyang, Gyeonggi, Korea. Kim grew up in a farming family and attended Hanyeong High School before graduating from Kukje Fashion Design Institute. Little is known about his personal life, as he kept it carefully guarded from the prying eyes of the media. He had an adopted son.
Career in Fashion
Kim's career in the fashion industry began in 1962 when he opened his salon, 'Salon Andre,' in the heart of Seoul. He quickly gained recognition as one of the leading designers for men's clothing. In 1966, he became the first South Korean designer to showcase his collection in Paris, followed by shows in New York, Washington DC, Barcelona, Cairo, Sydney, and Beijing. In 1981, Kim was chosen as the chief designer for the 1981 Miss Universe pageant. In 1988, he designed the uniforms for Korean athletes at the Seoul Olympic Games. His success led to frequent invitations to work on events organized by the International Olympic Committee.
Awards and Recognition
In 1997, Kim was awarded the Presidential Culture and Art Medal in South Korea for his contribution to the fashion industry. In 2003, he received the Italian 'Cultural Merit Award' and became a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. In February 2006, Kim held two fashion shows, 'Fashion Fantasia in Hawaii,' at Turtle Bay Resort in Hawaii, featuring over 140 outfits. In November 2006, he organized a fashion show at Angkor Wat, Cambodia, making it the first fashion show ever held in an ancient temple. Apart from clothing, Kim also designed appliances for Samsung, cosmetics, golf products, sunglasses, and interior decor items.
Design Style and Influence
Andre Kim's designs combined classic elements with futuristic elements, often resulting in bold and vibrant creations with distinct Asian motifs such as large roses, birds, and blossoming tree branches. He frequently decorated his show sets in white tones to accentuate the unique colors of his collections. Kim's fashion gained immense popularity among Korean celebrities, who often participated in his fashion shows. His bridal collections, in particular, were known for featuring top Korean stars. His fame extended beyond Korea, and he was once asked by Michael Jackson to be his personal designer, but Kim declined, stating his preference for creating fashion for everyone.
Legacy
Andre Kim passed away on August 12, 2010, at the age of 74, due to pneumonia and colon cancer. His death was considered a significant loss to the Korean fashion world. Kim's vision of fashion emphasized elegance, grace, intelligence, artistic beauty, and youthful energy, rejecting stagnation in tradition. Despite his age, he always felt youthful and believed that fashion should reflect youthful and vibrant fantasies. His legacy continues to inspire and influence the world of fashion.
