KOKO Living Magazine Aug.Sept - Issue 4 by KOKO Living

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Falling Forward... ��

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Thanks to our team! Jeanie Chang Co-Editor

Samantha Graphic Designer www.papermints.com

Tiffany Baek Senior Fashion Editor

Jasmine Kim Photographer & Fashion Editor

“Blue Dale V-Neck sweater” ~ Shin choi Pants - 1950’s trousers & bergdorf’s racoon fur trim sweater ~ Vintage from ritual vintage Shoes from Deena & ozzy ~ www.urbanoutfitters.com

Dressing the Modern Woman

Fashion editor + Stylist: Tiffany Baek STYLIST + Photographer: Jasmine KIM Model: Michelle LIM

Striped Dress & Black Hooded wool Jacket ~ shin choi Sungalsses & Shoes ~ Vintage

“Blue Dale V-Neck sweater” ~ Shin choi sunglasses ~ Vintage Pants - 1950’s trousers & bergdorf’s racoon fur trim sweater ~ Vintage from ritual vintage Shoes from Deena & ozzy ~ www.urbanoutfitters.com

“Tape Judy V-neck Sweater” ~ Shin choi Skirt ~ by H&M Necklace ~ Stylist’s own

“Copper Pots Tanya Skirt” “Sand Jaspa Trench” ~ by Shin choi Socks ~ H&M Blouse ~ Madewell Shoes by Deena & ozzy ~ www.urbanoutfitters.com

Red Sweater “Poppy sophia cashmere sweater” ~ By Shin Choi black pants and Beige Suede shoes ~ H&M

SHIN CHOI fashion Designer

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An Interview with Korean Australian Designer

Yeojin Bae ��

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a model’s story

Vintage Reborn!

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e g a t n i V

ld O s v New

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rebornprocess.com

Korea’s Thanksgiving Day I��

September 12 | “HAPPY CHUSEOK!”

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Back To School ��

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An American “Bento Box” ��

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My Korean American Princess ��

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Magazine Presents:

Woman of the Year

2011

Marja Vongerichten

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g: Starrin ngerichten Vo Marja

DVD Series & Recipe Book

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I was born and raised in Virginia. I am the youngest of four daughters. My family was one of the first Korean families in Roanoke at the time. My father is a physician and my mother was a Stay-at-home mom, now owner of a real estate company. My sisters and I grew up very Americanized and all of our friends were Caucasian. There were no other Koreans let alone Asians in our school or neighborhood. Despite this lack of diversity, I was comfortable growing up as a Korean American girl. In fact, I was happy to be unique amongst my friends. I am sure it helped having three older sisters who were always there to help or give me any needed advice. I remember my hometown as a very closely-knit community with the kindest people. Like many Korean-Americans, I can half joke when I say my sisters and I would rotate as conveyer belts taking turns in either piano, violin or cello lessons each week! While my friends enjoyed leisurely summer days at the pool, I was off to symphony camp to practice the violin for 6 hours a day. Sometimes in my sleep I can still smell my violin teacher's White Shoulders perfume as she drilled into us week after week.

KOKO Living: What is your favorite childhood memory? Anne: Growing up, I was a competitive gymnast. One of my favorite memories as a child was performing gymnastics at the World Expo '88 in Brisbane, Australia. Even today, if I watch gymnastics or think about it, my heart pumps faster.

KOKO Living: Tell us a little bit about being a mommy and having your own children now.

Anne: My daughter is 5 years old and will start Kindergarten this fall. Being a mommy can be exhausting but it is the most rewarding job in the world! It requires an incredible amount of patience, energy, organization and hard work. I highly recommend motherhood and Venti sized iced coffees to get you through the day!

KOKO Living: Share a story if you'd like on an event or daily happenings. Anne: My best friend from Los Angeles was visiting recently and we took our kids to The Museum of Natural History in NYC. We had the best day! Our kids were thrilled to spend time together and see the Butterfly Exhibit. My daughter loves this museum no matter how many times we go. She is really into dinosaurs so this is an amazing place for her. I want to say I take her to museums and literary places every weekend but that isn?t the case? Lucky for me, my daughter would be happy just going to the park and then heading to Pinkberry.

KOKO Living: What are some places you love taking your daughter? Anne: We have enjoyed family vacations to Europe, Mexico and The Caribbean. We would love to take her to Korea one day in the near future.

KOKO Living: What are your hopes and desires for your daughter? Anne: I hope for my daughter to be happy! KOKO Living: What did you study / major in during your college years which school?

Anne: I majored in Economics with a focus in Business Management at Sweet Briar College. I am also certified to teach Elementary Education K-5 in the State of New Jersey.

KOKO Living: How did you decide on taking on this new career? Anne: I grew up on Hummingbird Lane and wanted my store to reflect my simple memories as a child. Hummingbird Lane was started as a hobby after giving birth to my daughter. I searched high and low for the perfect baby blanket to no avail! And, I know of almost every little baby boutique in Manhattan so I did my due diligence! That planted the seed five years ago. I decided to design her a cashmere sweater and baby blanket myself. My daughter loves them and my company was born. My blanket collection is exclusively sold online at this time. I'm currently working on some new blanket designs. I would love to open up a physical store one day. For now, I'm content selling online and enjoying my priority of being a mom. KOKO Living: What kinds of items do you create and sell? Anne: Hummingbird Lane creates hand-loomed pure cashmere knit baby blankets. I wanted my collection to exude classic luxury, style, comfort and warmth for babies and children. Some of my designs include preppy stripes, a fun football, sweet ladybug and cuddly teddy bear. I consider each blanket an heirloom quality keepsake. KOKO Living: Where can we find your products? Anne: Hummingbird Lane blankets are sold exclusively online at www.Hummingbirdln.com KOKO Living: What is your most favorite item that you sell? Anne: At this time, my favorite items that I sell are the Dog and Teddy Bear designs. They are sweet and simple. KOKO Living: What is your favorite Korean food? Anne: I love Korean food! Soon doo boo Jigae, Kalbi, Naeng Myeun, Dolsot Bibimbop and Kimchee Mandoo are some of my favorites! KOKO Living: What was the most delicious thing you've ever eaten? Anne: A steaming hot plate of linguine with lobster at a restaurant called Ciao in St. Kitts, West Indies. KOKO Living: What is your favorite movie? Anne: One movie that stayed with me through the years is "Lost in Translation". I thought it was so beautifully written and bittersweet without the corniness you see in lot of the movies. I used to wonder, like most people I'm sure, what could Bill Murray have whispered in Scarlett Johansson's ear? It's a perfect movie because I do not know. I don't want to know. That last scene made the movie perfect. Well, that and the lounge singer every night because it's quintessential Asia, right? KOKO Living: What is your favorite restaurant? Anne: I love Fred's Restaurant inside Barneys, New York. It's a NY institution as far as I'm concerned. I get so happy riding the elevator up to the 9th floor thinking about my tuna tartare and spaghetti with meatballs. KOKO Living: What is your favorite color? Anne: I'm really feeling all shades of green right now. I wear mostly black and neutrals but I was just in Mexico on vacation and the color of the ocean was a perfect shade of turquoise. I want to put that color in a new blanket design. It was absolutely gorgeous! KOKO Living: What is your favorite Korean Drama (if you know of any). Anne: I haven't watched that many Korean Dramas but they are hilarious! The last drama I watched was called Smile Mom! You know I grew up, very Americanized so watching this Korean culture is pretty fascinating. Everything revolves around unrequited love and misunderstanding. I swear it could start from a guy putting in the wrong amount of sugar in the girl's coffee. The girl would say "Why are you putting two spoonfuls of sugar when you know I take 1 1/2. That's how my 2nd cousin once removed drinks her coffee. How did you know this? Where were you last night?" You get the picture. These shows are instant gratification! KOKO Living: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Anne: I would love to continue my work with Hummingbird Lane. Adding a clothing or accessory line could be a distinct possibility. In 10 years, we may move back to the city once my daughter enters high school. My family moved to New Jersey because my husband and I wanted to raise our daughter in a more tranquil setting. Thank you Anne for sharing your story with us!

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To see more cashmere blanket designs from Hummingbird Lane, please visit

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