THE KOREAN AMERICAN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2011
Woman of the Year
MARJA VONGERICHTEN KOREAN AMERICAN MOM, WIFE AND STAR 0F KIMCHI CHRONICLES
INTERVIEW WITH FASHION DESIGNERS
DIANNA SOHN & J-PARK HOLIDAY FEATURES
HALLOWEEN & THANKSGIVING
& MORE
KOKOLIVING.COM
LIVING BEAUTY
Beauty Care from Head-to-Toe Exclusive
Skin Care Center
156-17 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354 T 718. 445. 4300 www.alexcosmeticusa.com
editor’s letter
Taking KOKO Living The Korean American Lifestyle Magazine for Women EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Kathy Lee Choi FASHION EDITOR
Tiffany Baek
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jasmine Kim, Eunmi Oh, Calvin Lim EDITORS
Jeanie Chang, Jenny Gill, Tiffany Baek
MANY PEOPLE HAVE ASKED me why I started a magazine. I thought about it and I could only come up with one thought. It’s just something I always wanted to do. One day in Junior, I was alone a great and a rusty typewriter. For some reason, instead of playing with my sisters, I decided to draft a newsletter that afternoon. It came out great and I was very proud of it. I don’t remember what the stories were about, probably lunch room chatter, but it needed to be created. That’s the same way KOKO Living Magazine began. With my graphic design background, I took to the computer with one mission – to share stories. I’m glad that I started KOKO Living magazine that one fateful day and with our 5th issue here for you to read, I’m ecstatic to share that I didn’t design the magazine, but have found talented women to help bring this childhood dream alive. Have you seen the new cover? We have Marja from the Kimchi Chronicles on the cover. We have so many great pics with Marja, but couldn’t fit them all into the article, so visit us our Behind the Scenes web page to see me and my team feasting on Marja’s cooking and chatting away. Also, I want to take us all on a trip to unchartered destinations. KOKO Living is the first Korean American Lifestyle Magazine for Women in English. Write me and let’s share stories with and keep the passion for living alive!
KATHY@KOKOLIVING.COM KOKOLIVING.COM FOLLOW US @
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
Ma rja in her kitch en, havi ng lunch with the KOK O Livin g tea m.
Having fun with Marja in here New Y ork City apartment,
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fashion picks
I’d own the entire miu miu collection if I could.
BY TIFFANY BAEK
www.miumiu.com
Jason Wu Jourdan black chain cross Body Handbag $1,595.00 www.jasonwu. com
Topshop Antonia black elasticated side heeled ankle boots $124 www.topshop.com
Wish List
Our fashion editor’s favorite items for a fun fall seasons
Mans wool Crombie coat by boutique Topshop $350 www. topshop. com
mania miania - Isis slave bracelet in brass $260 www.maniamania.com
Suno pintuck drawstring skirt $584 in large olive roses www.sunony.com
Uniqlo premiuim down light jacket in black. $149 www.uniqlo.com
Zara printed trousers $89.90 www.zara.com
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SALON TECHNOLOGY. CATWALK STYLE. A COLLECTION OF PROFESSIONAL HAIR TOOLS IN A RANGE OF HIGH FASHION PRINTS.
www.ti-style.com Ti Style,PO Box 515381 #8880, Los Angeles, California 90051-668.Tel:919-838-0536. www.facebook.com/ticreative
beauty picks BY TIFFANY BAEK
Look inside our fashion editor’s must haves for this season. 1. Just a little bit of gray shadow and some Aquaphor on the lids creates a pretty smokey, glossy eye. Loreal color smokes eye shadow blackened smokes. Loreal, $6.39; Aquaphor, $4.63 at CVS stores. 2. A couple drops of Rodin’s oilio lusso face oil over my moisturizer seals in moisture and makes the skin look fresh and not oily. I also love the scent so it doubles as a perfume. $140, www.oliolusso.com. 3. A favorite new find is the lavendar honey organic cleansing foam from Pure Cosmetics because its completely natural and doesn’t dry out my skin. It doesn’t have any detergents or harsh ingredients so its very gentle. $18, www.100percentpure.com. 4. Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero smudge lengthening mascara. It makes eyelashes look super long. $21, esteelauder.com. 5. A rescue option for dried out hair is: Ojon Damage reverse instant restorative hair serum. $25, Sephora.com. 6. A layer of essie “over the top” and a second top layer of essie “golden nuggets.” Comes out of coppery and irridescent, and I love that it looks like a different color in different lighting. Its a perfect color for fall. $8 each, CVS stores. OCT/NOV 2011 KOKOLIVING.COM
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fashion BY TRACY EUNICE SHIN
What Is Your
Ladies, what is your purse saying about you?
B
ack during my high school years (somewhere in the mid 90’s), only four brands ruled the roost when it came to designer purses: Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, and Burberry. And it didn’t matter if you were a middle aged, suburban housewife, or an aspiring fashionista in her early twenties, if you wanted to carry around the “It” purse, it had to belong in one of the Big Four. No ifs or buts. Period. But as with everything else in life, times have changed, and now the Big Four is just the way of the past. These days if I was to make up a list of the entire high end, trendy designer purses we women flaunt, that list alone would take up at least two pages of this article (heck, maybe even three!). Let’s see now, from Marc Jacobs, to Celine, to Chloe, Hermes, Bottler Veneta, Akris, Valentino, Miu Miu, Sonia Rykiel, Lanvin, Christian Dior, Dolce and Gabanna, Balenciaga, Anya Hindmarch, Rochas.... who am I kidding, let’s not even get started here. With this infinite number of worship-worthy purses we women can choose from these days, just how does one go about picking a purse? And let’s face it; even though most of us have a closet full of designer purses, if you really look back on your past year, hasn’t it been just that one special purse you’ve carried around 90% of the time? So let’s focus on this one purse. It’s obviously your most favorite purse. Now just what exactly does this purse say about you? My mother once told me that you can tell a lot about a man by looking at his shoes: Are they rigid, expensive, and meticulously clean? Or are they nicely worn in, soft, and looks totally comfortable? Maybe they are a bit flashy and ostentatious? Extremely athletic? Too casual? These days, with the overflowing number of designer purses on the market, I believe a woman’s most favorite purse says a lot about her unique personality, just like the way a man’s most often worn pair of shoes tells about a man. So to test my theory, I’ve asked four very different girlfriends of mine to send me a picture of their most favorite, go-to purse. And you know what, I must say, I think my theory was right on point.
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Jeanette Chun PURSE OF CHOICE Louis Vuitton Neverful GM A truly classic tote that defy time and age. Suitable for business, travel, or everyday use (alas, perfect for a stayat-home mommy of two!). The easy and organized layout of the interior makes the bag just as beautiful on the inside as is on the outside.
It is apparent that with all four girlfriends, The characteristics described above interchange perfectly from both purse to owner.
Lynn Liou PURSE OF CHOICE Hermes The Birkin The Birkin, the symbol of wealth, fashion, and elusiveness – now what else would you expect from the Editor in Chief of the prestigious Vivid Magazine? Many will agree this coveted and desired Birkin will always reign as Queen of all designer purses.
Suzette Haas PURSE OF CHOICE “A no name bag that I picked up at a street fair in NYC for $20” Umm, can I say smart?! This roomy, faux snakeskin bag is not only cute and stylish, but looks just as good as all the high end designer purses out there, but at only a fraction of the cost! No wonder the owner of this delight can pull off a law degree, a popular website, achieve as a fashion designer and makeup artist, and oh yeah, and be a full time mommy!
Gina Kim PURSE OF CHOICE Marc Jacobs The Delancey Grand Sleek and sophisticated, without all the unnecessary girly frills, this chic bag fits our powerhouse, corporate attorney to the letter.
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interview
Necklaces from left to right: star bunny, moon rabbit, odang girl
AEIN HOPE DESIGNER AND OWNER OF OKITOOKI
Even when I see myself in my drea ms I have pink hair. How was it growing up Korean American?
My mother is Korean and my father is Scottish/German/Irish. I have a little sister that’s only one and a half years younger, so we are pretty close. I grew up in a small town in the “Bible Belt” South. There is a small Korean community there, but because we are mixed, my sister and I were not accepted by either community. Before the first grade, I wasn’t aware that I was “different.” Experiencing racism at a young age was very disheartening for me, but despite that, I became more interested in Korean culture after I turned thirteen. My mother taught me how to read and write Hangul and I began listening to 90’s K-pop music like the bands S.E.S. and g.o.d. I was also collecting Korean stickers, stationery and anything with Hangul on it. It wasn’t until I moved to Los Angeles that I be-
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kkooom (drea m) earrings
F lower Foxes series
gan to really study the Korean language. When I went to Korea in 2009, I thought that I would experience the same rejection, but I was delighted to meet such nice people there. I looked around for accessories that had Hangul, but I didn’t see many options. So when I got home I decided to make my own. It’s taken me a long time to become comfortable with myself and grow out of the hurt from my youth. It is still a work in progress, but learning more about my heritage has helped me overcome it.
Tell us a little bit on why you chose to color your hair pink and not another color. It’s been so long it’s really hard to remember exactly why! My original hair color is a dark brown. My favorite color has always been pink. And I used to get red highlights for a long time. I think I just decided one day four years ago to just go all out and dye my whole head pink and I’ve kept it this way since. I can’t think of myself in any other way, though sometimes I do want to go back to natural! Even when I see myself in my dreams I have pink hair.
How did you come up with oki tokki?
Carrot bag
The name “oki tokki” came from a bilingual pun I made up using the phrase “okie dokie” and the Korean word for bunny, “tokki.” I wanted the name for my business to be something related to both of my heritages and decided that “punny” phrase I came up would be a perfect fit. I’ve always believed that art is a wonderful way to share one’s culture and language, so with oki tokki I strive to maintain a positive, educational approach to my designs. Incorporating Korean influences into my designs is a way to help me discover and connect with the culture. I hope that people can learn little tidbits about Korean culture or language through my designs as well.
How did you start designing jewelry?
My girl friend once showed me how to put together a simple pair of earrings and ever since I’ve been “hooked!” I’ve always wanted Hangul earrings and could never find any, so I decided to start designing my own. I think that jewelry is a form of “shareable” art. It’s something very noticeable that one can wear. For example, I can’t remember the type of pants someone wears, but I can always remember her necklace. I’ve received messages saying that wearing my jewelry is a way that they can meet other people with similar interests and I think that’s a wonderful thing!
Where can we buy your products?
2cranes
Currently, I offer my products on my website www.okitokki.com and on Etsy okitokki.etsy.com.
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AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY REVEALING THE LIFE & DREAMS OF MARJA VONGERICHTEN, STAR AND HOST OF THE KIMCHI CHRONICLES. BY JEANIE CHANG
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Marja 3 yrs
Marja 3 yrs old at Father Keanes house Marja’s mother and father (1975)
Marja at 1½ months old with her natural mother (1976)
Father Keane saying good bye to 3yrd old Marja at his home (1979)
Marja with Miss Park (social worker) at Father Deanes home (1979)
sits down with KOKO Living in her beautiful New York City apartment which she shares with her husband (celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten) and their daughter Chloe. We cooked up an awesome conversation that centered on Marja’s passion for Korea and its culture. You’d think by talking with Marja that she lived all her life in Korea. Her knowledge, enthusiasm and joy is clearly evident and she knows her Korean food. The fact is, Marja didn’t experience most of her beloved Korean culture and cuisine until her late teens. She was adopted at the age of three in Korea by loving American parents, Colonel James Phillip Allen Jr (who was stationed in Korea as a US Marine) and had just gotten married
to Margo McKay. Marja left Korea almost a year later and grew up the next 17 years in suburban Northern Virginia. Her emotional reunion with her birth mother in Brooklyn when she was 20 years old certainly made a tremendous impact in her life bringing her back to her Korean roots, but Marja says she actually rediscovered Korean food when she was 14 after buying her first bottle of kimchi at a local supermarket. She bought a jar seeking a connection to her birth culture and after taking that first bite, she was hooked! She’s been passionate about everything Korean from that moment on. On the Kimchi Chronicles PBS TV Series, Marja tries all sorts of Korean delectables while traveling all over Korea! She loves being able to show
and promote Korea and all its wonders through the Kimchi Chonicles, but says the real “sweet part” of her success surrounding Kimchi Chronicles is the “benefit of having a voice that people listen to” - especially in showing Korean culture which has long been overlooked. Marja says she grew up feeling a little lost in the midst of her environment where there were distinct groups of Asians and African-Americans. She felt as if she didn’t belong anywhere, but now with the success of the Kimchi Chronicles, the world is hers to explore. Her joy and gratitude is evident as she shares about how her recent success affects her daughter Chloe who she says is her “greatest achievement in life.” Marja says she’s thankful Chloe is growing up in such a
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Marja loves to use the korean spices in her cooking.
Marja sharing her recipe, she loves to share about her heritage with others.
Demonstrating the recipes from Kimichi Chronicles cookbook.
diverse environment. Although Chloe definitely identifies with being Korean, Marja says she tells her daughter that she’s actually a great representative of the world because of her diverse ethnicity! Marja’s show and cookbook may be about Korean food, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t passionate about other ethnic foods! She was raised in the south and is known for her famous Mac & Cheese recipe - served as Marja’s Macand-Cheese at her husband Jean-Georges’ Mercer Kitchen, NY. Some of her favorite NYC restaurants are Mezzogiorno in downtown NYC where she savors the carpaccio and penne arrabiata, Balthazar restaurant and Cipriani Downtown. For her Korean fixes, she heads to NYC’s Korea town to eat at Kun Gip, Suje-
bi and Arirang for its kahlgooksoo! Outside of the city, she’ll head to New Jersey because it’s closer and easier for her. It’s great seeing Marja’s excitement for what she’s doing to promote Korean culture and what it means to her to do this. She says she dedicated her cookbook to her two moms – “the one that gave her life,” and the “one that helped her live her life.” Marja says she believes in what she’s doing and her capability to do so. She’s been cooking since she was 12 years old so this is confidently her foray in life. As for what the near future will hold, Marja says she’s in talks with some Korean companies who are interested in marketing their products here in the U.S. and she’ll gladly help in any way she can to promote high quality Korean products in the US.
But she does have another dream! Since she studied and is an interior designer when she’s not promoting the Kimchi Chronicles, someday she hopes to create a furniture line – taking traditional Korean arts and “marrying them” with a more contemporary design without changing the technique of the art pieces to create a unique furniture line which represents Korean culture . We want to thank Marja who let us into her home and heart. She is amazingly kind and she shines a bright light on Korean American women which we thank her for. For more on Marja, buy a copy of her cookbook “The Kimchi Chronicles” or “The Kimchi Chronicles DVD” containing all 13 episodes.
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(In order from eft to right) Amy Kang, Daughter Madeline (12), Daugther Madison (5), Son Matthew (10), Husband James
PHOTO BY: EUNMI OH – WWW.ILLUMIA-NYC.COM
AMY KANG - LOVING MOTHER AND WIFE, ALSO THE WOMAN BEHIND NYC’S SAGAPONACK BAR & GRILL + MADELINE’S CATERING Were you born in the US? I was born in Seoul, Korea. I came to the states in 1987 and started 10th grade in high school. How was it growing up in the US as a Korean American girl? When I first came to the states, it was hard to adjust to the new culture and language. After attending one year in high school, I was able to adapt to the new environment and learned new language. What did you study in college? I studied Education (major: Early childhood, minor: child psychology) in NYU (graduated 1994), and continued Master in Columbia Teacher’s college (graduated in 2001). I was going to Cornell Hotel Management and got accepted, but my father was against. He was a restaurateur in Korea (but he was a teacher before he jumped in restaurant business), and knew how hard it was to be in a restaurant business. He wanted me to be a teacher and get married and have a normal life- but I met my husband who is a chef, and somehow I got into restaurant/event business. How did you meet your husband? When I was a director of YWCA preschool, one of the parents (now, my sisterin-law) introduced me to her brother-inlaw. He is “chef”. He went to Johnson & Wales Culinary School and specialized in French food. He has been working in a kitchen over 25 years, but now he is a builder/developer. He is also a fly fishing captain out in the Hamptons (Montauk)
How many kids do you have and how is it being a mommy? I have three kids. It is a tough job being a mom. Even though I studied early childhood Education and child psychology, it is hard to raise my own kids. Theory and practice is totally different in this world! What are you doing these days? Event coordinator, Restaurateur, Mom - It is hard to juggle everyday and try to balance between work and kids. Every day, I commute from Long Island to Manhattan and I can’t be around my kids to take them to after school activities & play dates. What are some of your passions? I like to help out less fortunate kids. Who is your role model? Mrs. Shin Choi designer- While she raised 2 wonderful children, she worked hard to make her brand to the top level. She is a down to
earth person who always helps out others. What was one of the hardest moments in your life? When my mom passed away in a car accident. I was 19 years old, freshman in college. What was one of the best moments of your life? When my kids come in first in swim meet. Two of my kids are swimmers. If you can inspire or share one word of wisdom to Korean American Women, what would you share? No matter what you do, always make time for yourself. If you are happy, whole family is happy. If you are miserable, whole family will be miserable. “Happiness” is something you find within yourself. When you find out how blessed you are, you are the happiest person in the world!
Check out Amy’s website at www. sagaponacknyc.com and www.madeline catering.com
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AN INTERVIEW WITH INWHA HUH KIM, CO-FOUNDER OF ARTISAN SNACKS Were you born in the US?
I was born in Seoul, and came to the US when I was 5. I grew up in Seoul, NY and Manila. After college, lived in Washington DC, London, NY and Seoul.
How was it growing up in the US as a Korean American girl? I lived in NY for 3 yrs until I was in 2nd grade and came back for university. For
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the first 3 yrs in NY, I went thru the stereotypical experience of wanting to be Barbie, ie blond. After leaving NY, I grew up attending International Schools, which by definition is a diverse, international population of children of expats and diplomats. That has taught me to be naturally global minded as I grew up. My father was a diplomat and has instilled in us that our world is beyond the community we live in,
and we should be knowledgable about different cultures. My father is an ex central banker and now teaches at Yonsei University. He has instilled in us hard work ethics and the constant drive to excel, and the need to make 5 yr plans! Since we were teenagers, he would ask us what our 5 yr future plans were, it drove us nuts. One summer when I was 15, my father made us memorize poetry in english and chinese,
and was required to explain the meaning. My mother is a professor, painter, author. She has a huge heart and spoiled us with her love of food. Food is at the top of her priority list, she has written various books on traditional Korean food.
What did you study in college?
I studied economics in undergrad and international finance in grad school. Prior to college, I wanted to be a fashion designer. In middle/high school, my sister and I atended fashion design school after school, designed swimsuits and clothes, and directed fashion shows at school. I realized later however that it is more fun to be able to afford the fashion rather than create it! My sister went on to become a fashion designer and designs for Michael Kors.
How did you meet your husband?
We first met at the Yonsei Korean language summer program when we were both 17. Nine years later we bumped into eachother in NYC and got married a year later. Crazy. He is an ex-banker turned entrepreneur. He started Artisan Snacks Corp. Artisan Snacks is all about global, healthy, traditional snacks that are made to appeal to the younger generation. Our first product is Go-ggi, a Korean bulgogi flavor beef jerky. The recipe for Go-ggi is from my husband’s great grandmother and have been made for 2 generations by my mother in law and her 7 siblings. Go-ggi has had tremendous success with men, women and even children to our surprise. We have made it at home for 10 years serving it along with drinks, until our friends encouraged us to start selling it. We started selling it to gourmet/specialty stores in westchester county, and have now spread to 30+ stores in the tri-state and LA. It has further spread to mini bars at boutique hotels across the US, currently in 50+ hotels. We are developing new products at the moment, that will be from different countries, so stay tuned!
Tell us a little bit about your kids.
We have 2 kids, Shira and Max. Shira is 9 yrs old, enjoys tennis, horseback riding, and playing violin. She wants to be a model. What I tell her is she can be any-
thing she wants to be, and modeling can always be done on the side. Max is 5, he is a bundle of energy, is a comedian and very charismatic. Being a mom is an absolute blast! there is nothing more fun and rewarding than spending time with the kids. We love to travel with our kids. Last yr we went to Portugal, France and England. In Portugal we rented a house in Algarve so that the kids can experience local living. They really took in the beauty of Algarve and local cuisine. My motto is work hard, play hard.
I am back to work - either for GE or for Artisan Snacks. I moved to GE Capital from Deutsche Bank after our second child, Max was born. There was no way to be a mom and commute 2 hours to Wall St! Now my office is 15 min away so I am able to see my kids AND work! My theory for working moms are - if you can develop a system that works for you and your family, you can have both a career and be a mom. We had a live-in nanny for 7 years, which allowed us to have the flexibility as well.
What are you doing these days? I
My dream is to develop Artisan Snacks as a successful family owned business where we can have legacy and financial stability for our children. Both my husband and I have worked for some of the largest companies in the world (JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, GE), and realized once you leave the companies there is nothing that tangibly remain. To have our own successful business in what we love (food!) and to run it our way is our dream. Another dream would be to get back to the arts that I used to love so much - scultping and painting. I have started to get
have been in banking for 18 years. I am a managing director at GE Capital, responsible for a global team in capital markets and business development. On the weekends I help my husband run Artisan Snacks. It is a non-stop, crazy busy schedule, but being a working mom is super rewarding at the end of the day. There is a way to have it all, on most days! I start the day with 7am calls with Europe or Asia, see the kids off on days I don’t have early meetings in the office, and then off to work. I see the kids for dinner and when they are down,
What are some of your passions?
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ments when both kids were born!
If you can inspire or share a word of wisdom to Korean American Women, what would you share?
Korean women are some of the smartest women I know in the world. We should use our talent to rise to the global stage more regardless of industry, and build a sense of bond and support for each other which I believe is lacking in most industries.
What do you see yourself doing in the next 10 years?
By then Artisan Snacks should be an established venture selling not only in the US but globally. We hope to have a second home in one of the islands and split our time between the two.
If you were on a deserted island and had only one thing to eat everyday, what would it be?
Grilled calamari or shrimp. LOVE seafood. My husband’s would be prime rib. Close second being fois gras and caviar. back into learning painting with a local artist in her studio. It enables me to use a different part of brain that has been untapped for too long! Lastly, another dream would be to devote more time in helping the needy children in emerging markets. When Shira turns 12, we plan to go to Brazil through programs run by Cross Cultural Solutions to assist poor children thru community work. Also, I always had dreams of writing a Korean cookbook that would appeal internationally and to the younger generation - had a publisher accept my proposal but never finished the book!
Who is your role model?
My mom. She put her career on hold for 20 years to raise us, and afterwards still managed to get back on track to become department head at the university she taught at. She has also done tremendous work with students to give to less privileged communities, childcare & elderly centers. She lived in Vietnam for few months building and teaching a new school for young girls. She is a talented painter, and has recently been chosen in
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the national art exhibit in Korea. Above all, her love for us (3 siblings) is unbelievable. Although I am not around for my kids as much as she was for us, I try to show my devotion to our own kids remembering how it felt to receive hers. My motivation comes from the desire to build an amazing life for our kids.
What was one of the hardest moments in your life? My pregnancy with Shira. I was sick as a dog, and had 2 false positive test results and had to make the toughest decision of our lives. We are thankful everyday how perfect she turned out to be!
What was one best moment in your life?
There are a lot. To name a few recent ones.. Having an amazing meal at Alsace in Paris with Rob and the kids, and seeing Shira start to eat raw clams! Having family portraits done at Montmartre and laughing hysterically. Watching the sunset at the cliffs in Portugal with the family. And of course the unbelievable mo-
Where do you like to shop for clothes?
I am not big into high fashion for clothes these days, I enjoy the basics at Theory, Vince, JCrew. I travel a lot so when I do, I tend to go all out on local fashion in Brazil, Spain etc. I believe clothes get boring too quickly, thus the investment pieces are for bags and shoes! LVMH, Chloe, Jimmy Choo are my all time faves.
What do you do to relax?
We are foodies, so we try different restaurants with our kids. Sadly I don’t have much time to relax, so eating and drinking with family and friends are my way to relax. My husband is a fly fisherman and a bow-hunter. He takes the kids fishing often and bonds with the kids by teaching them about the outdoors. Its great as we live in Westport where there is a wonderful beach and river, so very accessible.
What are your favorite restaurants? Ours being Jojo, Yasuda, Bohemian, the Modern, Blue Hill at Stone Barnes.
LOS ANGELES DESIGNER, JULIE PARK AND NYC DESIGNER DIANNA SOHN’S FASHION WORLDS MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME ON OUR PAGES. FASHION STYLING BY: TIFFANY BAEK PHOTOGRAPHY JASMINE KIM
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Top, Placket shirt in Foil Silk Chiffon, Dianna Sohn. Pants, Black skinny jeans with side zip, Topshop. Shoes, Nude pumps with silver heel, Steve Madden. Cheese grater cuff in Gunmetal, Alexis Bittar
Top, Placket shirt in Foil Silk Chiffon, Dianna Sohn. Cardigan, Boy cardi in charcoal/heather graphite, J.Park.
Shirt Dress in Silk Lurex, Dianna Sohn. Vest Jacket, Vintage. Belt, Banana Republic. Shoes,
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Top, Combo sleeve tee in silk and silk lurex, Dianna Sohn. Reversible vest in faux fur and felt, Dianna Sohn. Asymmetrical shirred skirt in stretch microsuede, Dianna Sohn. Black suede wedge booties, Zara.
Dress, Asymmetrical Shirred Dress in Silk, Dianna Sohn. Hand Knit Pull Over in Dusk, J.Park
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Dress, Asymmetrical Shirred Dress in Silk, Dianna Sohn.
Top, Black lace corset, Vera Wang. Bottom, Multi Pleat skirt in Heather Gray, J.Park. Black fur coat, vintage. Shoes, Steve Madden.
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INTERVIEW WITH
BY: TIFFANY BAEK 30
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ounded in 2009, DIANNA SOHN is a carefully developed collection of ultra lush modern pieces inspired by all things, but especially by New York City, where the designer currently resides. The shades of black and gray, use of structure, glossy textures, and a chic simplicity in Ms. Sohn’s Fall 2011 collection would make one think of New York City as a major source of inspiration. Her versatile collection includes a sheer silver button down shirt, an asymmetrical black wool zip cape, and a reversible faux fur vest.
How did your previous work experiences prepare you for your role as a designer? I used to work at Teen Vogue as a
photo researcher and working at magazines taught me how to delegate, and work under intense pressure and serious deadlines. It also how taught me how to work with all different types of people and personalities.
How did you start designing your own line?
At this point in my life my career is about balance and serving a function. Working at Teen Vogue showed me that fashion is such a large industry and made me realize that a career in this industry was a feasible idea. I mean people have to wear clothes everyday unless they live in a nudist community, which is not so often. I started taking night classes at FIT for design, and worked with small independent designers such as Nima, and Avion Feminin. I learned a lot working with the smaller designers because I was able to be very involved.
Have your parents been supportive of your decision to become a designer?
Yes, they are very supportive. Of course they wanted me to be a doctor like most Korean parents do and I was actually studying to be a doctor at Cornell University but I changed my major to photography and studied fine arts.
Are you a one-woman company?
Yes, I work in my studio with my dog and I do everything from designing to running errands, to taking care of press. I am my own intern. When I go to the factories to put in an order they think I’m the intern and they tell me to go call my boss to see if a change is okay. It’s just easier to play along with it so I go outside for a little bit and come back in and tell them my boss said it was okay.
Where do you draw design inspiration from?
Everything inspires.
Where are some of your favorite places to go to get away from the city?
I love Costa Rica and Tulum, Mexico. I like places where I can see and do new things. I can’t just sit by a pool and sunbath.
Do you have a vision for the growth of your company?
I want to grow slowly and organically.
in?
What is your favorite city to shop
I’m not a big shopper. I’m kind of like a guy, I know what I want and what fits me, so when I go shopping I just get in and get out. Shopping is also part of my job; for research - to see what is out there, and at what price point.
What was your experience like growing up as a Korean American?
It varied because I moved around a lot. I lived in Chicago until I was about 5 years old, then moved to Los Angeles. LA is very diverse with lots of Koreans so it was easy to fit in there. From LA I moved to Atlanta, GA until middle school. That was interesting. I was the only Asian girl in school and living there taught me how to deal with different types of people and that there are going to be ignorant people and that it’s part of life.
What is the most treasured item in your closet?
A ring that my dad carved for me out of some sort of resin or acrylic when I was little. I used to wear it all the time but now I’m too scared to wear it because I’m afraid it will break.
What kind of music are you listening to now?
Music is a big part of my life because I am usually working in the studio by myself listening to music. My playlist is all across the board. Some artists I love right now are The Cults, Bon Iver, Beach House, Panda Bear, The tallest man on earth, Gang Gang Dance, The Roots, and some classical and MPR. I am also looking forward to for St. Vincent’s next album. www.diannasohn.com
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INTERVIEW WITH At what age did you move to LA? Is there anything in particular that you liked or disliked about living and growing in LA?
Since college I’ve been living in LA. I like LA for many reasons. Since I have a four year old, I get to play the role of a suburban mom, but without losing the big city lifestyle. LA is a big mix of lots of different cultures. I think that’s the best part of living in LA without losing space. I love Korean food and I am glad that I can easily access it. I travel quite a bit and every time I come back I feel I can breathe again. Unfortunately it’s not the prettiest city in the world. I am not a big fan of mini malls and LA is full of them.
What was your experience like being an Asian American designer?
BY: TIFFANY BAEK ulie Park was born in Seoul and educated in Los Angeles. She studied at Otis/ Parsons Design College, graduating in 1990. Her first fashion venture was designing lingerie with a friend, which then led to designing women’s clothing. Ms. Park launched her namesake collection Julie Park, of women’s ready-to-wear clothing in 2010. Her Fall 2011 line is a wonderful mixture of ultra soft knits, structured separates, and very wearable cotton pieces. Ms. Park’s collection is truly an embodiment of laid-back sophistication for the modern, working woman. Hi Julie, can you tell us what project/collection you are currently working on?
I am working on Fall, 2012. I’m working on lots of easy comfy sweaters and lots of basic/fun tees. This season, I decided to go back to the basics and focus on the wearable knit wear.
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What was the greatest moment in your career so far?
I am still waiting for that moment!
How would you describe your line? How does your line compare to your personal style?
Basics and subtle statement pieces with a nod to menswear, yet accented with feminine details. My style is basic luxury with slight edge.
Who would you like to see wearing your clothes?
Some day my daughter, hana.
Do you have any style icons?
I love bonnie & Clyde looks through and through.
When was the last time you wore a hanbok and what was the occasion?
I never felt particularly different because I am Asian American. The industry is tough and I think all designers go through their own personal demons or successes.
I think at my sister’s wedding about 16 years ago.
Are there any Korean designers that you like?
Hong Kong.
I am not really familiar with other Korean designers unfortunately.
What inspired the switch from graphic design to clothing design?
It came pretty organically. I still use my graphic design skills with my business. I actually went to Otis/parsons thinking that I will study fashion but I got interested in many other fields and I am glad that I had those experiences.
Did you always want to design clothing?
Yes and no. Being a Korean American, you definitely feel the parental pressure to have some commercial success. So when I decided to go to art school, it was a triumph on my part to go through with it. My mom still believes that I should have gone into medical field. I like fashion because it really works all parts of your brain. I have more brainy friends than arty ones. And I feel somehow balanced by that. You can feel somewhat jaded in fashion. It’s pretty consuming and very commercial. At heart, I really wanted to be a writer.
What is your favorite city to shop in?
Where is your favorite vacation spot and what would be some of your essential items for the getaway?
Anywhere tropical. I still remember our trip to Fiji. Sunglasses, easy cotton tops and chacos.
What is your most treasured piece of clothing in your closet?
I have this Donna Karan stretchy silk wrap dress that I bought almost 15 years ago. It has so many seams and delicate drapes but at the same time most comfortable. I still wear it time to time and it’s edgy but timeless.
Do you have any big plans for the future? Are you thinking of expanding your line?
If there is anything else you would like us and our readers to know about you, or any of your upcoming projects please feel free to share with us! At the moment, my focus is being a good parent and surviving the business. It’s tough as both are very difficult. J Park - http://www.jpark.com/
Quick costumes for your Halloween parties. BY TRACY EUNICE SHIN
y the time September arrived this year, I already had two different evites to two separate Halloween parties sitting in my inbox. How fun, right? But more than basking in the “fun” aspect of this upcoming holiday, I couldn’t help but stress over the simple, looming question of: What in the world am I going to dress up as this year? As a child dressing up was the easy part. Heck, I even had a costume lined up by the time Labor Day rolled around. And it really didn’t matter what I wanted to be, chances are, whatever I had in mind, there was bound to be a store near me with at least two of the exact costume I had grandiosely envisioned. Now you’d think after all this time, since we are the adults and even have children of our very own, we’d leave the dressing up to just the children, right? I mean, I don’t have a single memory of when my parents dressed up with me in costume for Halloween, but times have changed, really changed. Sitting in my inbox are two separate invitations to two separate Halloween parties in which I – the adult, the parent! - must come dressed in costume.
So this leads me to ask, who’s been inside a Halloween costume store lately? The last time I stepped foot into one, I had to check twice to make sure I was really in a Halloween store, and not some raunchy, over-the-top lingerie fantasy store! And it surely doesn’t matter if all that you want to be is a serene angel, or a dedicated nurse, or even a holy nun, because just about every single costume in the store will be either lacy, stringy, see-though, made of latex, leather and chains, or spiked. I’m willing to admit, had I still been in my twenties, maybe, just maybe, wearing one of these costumes, for just one night out of the year, would have been kind of fun.... maybe. But here in my thirties (let’s also not forget I also happen to be a wife and a mommy), I just don’t think a skin-tight, spiked outfit made of latex, whips and chains is too age appropriate for me... just saying. So I realized, ladies, I can’t possibly be the only one out there having a hard time finding a Halloween costume, correct? So with that in mind, I’ve complied a list for you today of the TOP FIVE most easily Do-It-Yourself Halloween costumes that are not only super easy to make, but also quite creative, fashionable, fun to wear, and most impor-
tantly, lace and leather free! #5. Miss America – It’s time to dust off your old Prom dress or bridesmaid dress! Pair it with a tiara, a sash, and your louboutins and you are ready outshine the rest of the gals all night! #4. The Cowgirl – Admit it, you know you have a flannel shirt shirt somewhere in your closet! Pair it with your jean cut-offs, a cowboy hat, and your Jimmy Choo knee-high boots and you’ll be the most stylish cowgirl to rock the party all night! #3. Sour Grapes – A purple shirt, purple leggings (and no, purple leggings are not that hard to find since purple was the “It” color of last season), and tape about 30 balloons all over yourself. #2. Bella Swan and Edward Cullen – Dress your man in a stylish shirt and jeans, paint his face white, and give his hair that messy sexy tousle by running your fingers through it. As for you, feel free to show up to the party in whatever outfit you already have on, but do make sure to look and act super awkward at.all.times. #1. Kate plus 8 – Don a blonde wig, a low-cut shirt, mini skirt, high heels, and carry eight dolls on you all throughout the night. Oh, and be sure to yell at your dolls as frequently as possible.
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Dressed to
Thrill Trick or Treat from some of our cutest little characters!
Spider costume from Childrens Place
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Golden Queen Costume Jewelry and Scepter from www.chasing-fireflies.com
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Rapunzel’s Costume Jewelry and crown from www.chasing-fireflies.com
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Golden Knight Costume Goves, and Wooden Sword from www.chasing-fireflies.com
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Cheerleader Costumes T.J.MAXX
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Robin’s Costume Toys R’Us
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Giving The
BY SALLY SHIN
In Thanksgiving CALIFORNIA EVENT PLANNER SALLY SHIN SHARES HER FAVORITE THANKSGIVING RECIPIES.
PHOTOS BY: CALVIN LIM
O
ne of my favorite books growing up, like many, was the story about the giving tree. Interestingly enough, reading it as an adult, I realized the story was not at all what I thought it was about all along. As a child, I found the story to be a clever interaction of a boy and a tree, and how brilliant it was for the author to write of all the ways a tree can be used. Reading it again for the first time in decades, I was completely inspired and humbled by the message a simple children’s book told. It’s about unconditional love and selfless giving. Something I can only understand now that I am a mom to two boys. With such a beautiful story, this year for Thanksgiving I wanted to integrate the message into what traditionally is a time of thanks. I realized giving is the action to being thankful. Whether it’s giving a little more love to someone who can’t be loved, or forgiveness and letting the past go, or friendship that goes above and beyond…the meaning of thanksgiving is not only thanks. As I look forward to another year, I am not only thankful but I am inspired…to be better, to give…to be that tree stump.
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Candied Yam Souffle 1 1 ½ 2 1 1 1
stick butter cup light brown sugar cup chopped pecans large (40-ounce) cans large yams or sweet potatoes, drained teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon ground nutmeg (12-ounce) jar marshmallow topping
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. 2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and pecans. Simmer for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, place drained yams in a large bowl and mash finely with a potato masher (leaving some chunked pieces). Pour sugar/pecan mixture over yams. Stir until combined thoroughly. Add in cinnamon and nutmeg. Transfer to a metal pie pan. Top with marshmallow topping. Bake for 15 minutes at 325 degrees F. Remove from the oven and raise the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Bake for an additional 10 minutes at 400 degrees F to brown the top, watching carefully to keep from over-browning. Courtesy of foodnetwork.com
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Lawry’s Creamed Corn Recipe 1½ 1½ ½ 1½ 1 3
tablespoons butter tablespoons flour teaspoon salt cups whipping cream tablespoons sugar cups fresh, frozen or canned whole kernel corn
1. Melt butter in heavy saucepan; add flour and salt, stirring to blend. Slowly add whipping cream, stirring constantly until thickened. Add sugar and corn, heat. For Au Gratin, place corn in a 9 or 10 inch shallow casserole dish; sprinkle w it h ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and brown under broiler. Makes 4 to 6 servings. Courtesy of lawrysonline.come
recipe BY JULIE YOON
Halloween treats that are fun and easy to make with your kids.
MARSHMALLOWS
I
’VE BEEN EVERYTHING FROM a My Little Pony, to a California Raisin, to the Statue of Liberty. My candy bags got bigger and bigger as I got greedier with age and soon enough, I was toting a huge pillow case door to door while screaming, “trick or treat!” The cold wind would whip my face as my friends and I raced from one house to the next, hoping to avoid the boring ones that gave out little boxes of raisins. But the best part was finally coming
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home to see my dad open the door. Year after year, he’d put on these weird plastic glasses that had photos of these freaky looking eyes inside the frames, and he’d do a dance as he answered the door. On top of that, we’d be just about the only house that gave out KING SIZED Kit-Kats and Twix bars. Everyone knew about the house on the end that gave out the good stuff with the funny Asian man who danced for them.
Now that I live on the other side of the country, I’m not able to witness my dad at his usual shenanigans. All I can do is bake these marshmallow monster cupcakes and reminisce of my childhood. With some simple store-bought ingredients, a lazy Saturday, and a steady hand, these are the perfect little sweet treats to make this Halloween. Just use your creativity and have fun. And maybe you can create some memories for your own kids!
Marshmallow Monster Cupcakes 1 Box of chocolate cake mix 1 Can of creamy white frosting Food coloring gel 1 Bag of marshmallows 1 Small bag of slivered almonds 1 Green fruit roll-up 1 or 2 purple colored fruit roll-up(s) Mini chocolate chips Black cake decorating gel Cupcake pan with cupcake liners Toothpicks Styrofoam block to stick toothpicks in to let marshmallows dry 1. Line the cupcake pan and bake cupcakes according to the cake box mix instructions. Let cool. With a small pairing knife, carve out a shallow hole in the top of each cupcake, just big enough to let a marshmallow to rest in. 2. Prepare your frosting: Divide frosting into 3 separate bowls. Using food coloring gel, color one bowl lime green, one orange, and leave the last one white. Thin each frosting out with a few drops of water until it is a little runny, but still slightly thick. Add water a little at a time. 3. Stick a toothpick in the marshmallow and swirl it around in the runny frosting to coat. Let the excess drip off, then stick the toothpick in the styrofoam to let the frosting dry for a few minutes, but don’t allow to dry completely before decorating. For more recipe ideas, visit chefjulieyoon.com
FRANKENSTEIN Swirl a marshmallow in lime green frosting. Use scissors to cut a zig zag edged circle out of the purple fruit roll-up(s). Attach to the top of the marshmallow as the hair. Use two mini chocolate chips as the neck bolts. Draw two eyes, a mouth, and a head scar, with a toothpick dipped in black cake decorating gel. Insert into a cupcake.
PUMPKIN JACK-O-LANTERN
FRIENDLY GHOST Swirl a marshmallow in white frosting. Draw two eyes and an open mouth with a toothpick dipped in black cake decorating gel. Insert into a cupcake.
Swirl a marshmallow in orange frosting. Toast some slivered almonds in a dry pan until lightly browned. Stick one toasted slivered almond at the top as the pumpkin stem. Cut leave shapes out of the green fruit roll up. Use a toothpick to help bend and curve them. Attach next to the stem. Use two mini chocolate chips for the eyes. Draw a nose and mouth with a toothpick dipped in black cake decorating gel. Insert into a cupcake.
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reflections
T
he holidays are my most favorite time of the year. It stirs happy memories for me and I always reflect on my kids’ first Birthdays, Thanksgivings and Christmas Mornings. This time, I decided to look through my box of old photographs and I found this photo (above) of my first Christmas Morning. I’m the two and a half month old baby posing with mother, father and older sister. My family has grown since then and I cherish every holiday as if it were our first! Do you want to share your photos with us? Submit them for our “REFLECTIONS” page and maybe we’ll post it on our next magazine issue.
SUBMISSIONS: By sending in photo submissions, you are giving KOKO Living full authority to use your photos on the web and in our magazine. Send all images to kathy@kokoliving.com.
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