LAUREN
HAEUN
KIM

Q: What's a fashion trend you absolutely despise and love?

A: I don't necessarily despise any trends, but there has been a lot of trends that I would not participate in. I remember the tie dye trend from the beginning of 2020 that got pretty big, but I never got into it. I never despised it and I think tie dye could be really cute, but it just got excessive and repetitive at times. There's a lot of trends that I love currently- my favorite right now being earth tones. I've been getting super into them lately and I think I'll be incorporating a lot more of those tones into my outfits. I also really love the Y2K trend going on and it's one that I'm trying to get a lot more into in the future.

Q: How has your platform on Tiktok and Instagram change your fashion style? Do you feel like expressing your style online has enabled you to become more confident? 

A: I started making TikToks at the beginning of quarantine and it's definitely helped me in many ways including my style. I don't think my style changed drastically, but I do get a lot of inspiration from watching other creators or friends I've made through TikTok. As for my confidence, I used to struggle with it a lot while growing up. But, as I got older I learned how to love myself and fashion played a big role in making that happen. TikTok is just a way for me to share my style with others, and hopefully help others find the same confidence I found through style. One thing I would definitely say is that making videos and putting them out there on a platform taught me to not care what others thought of me.

Q: What's a stereotype or stigma you dislike that is often associated with fashion? Thrifting, fast fashion- it can be anything.

A: Something that I hear a lot of people say is "you have to be rich to have good style." It is true to some extent, but I don't think style is all about having the most expensive brands in your wardrobe. I started thrifting in middle school, so I would say at least 80% of my wardrobe is thrifted from all kinds of shops. Throughout the years, I've gotten real good at finding the best clothes at a certain store. While I don't have many branded items besides from the times I've gotten lucky, I've always managed to walk out the store with pieces that express my style the best.

Q: Show your favorite piece of clothing from your wardrobe! Include the brand, price and where you got it.

A: This piece right here would probably be my all-time favorite essential in my closet. I remember when I saw it at the thrift store, I was so happy that I already decided to buy it before trying it on. I've had it for over a year now, and it's still one of my favorite and desired pieces. 

Q: Show a piece of your closet that holds a special meaning to you. Include the brand, price and where you got it.

A: A piece in my wardrobe that is particularly special to me is this vest hoodie that was originally my mom's. I remember growing up she would wear this hoodie a lot and I also see this hoodie in a lot of her old photos. She never wears it anymore and has passed it on to me. It originally had sleeves like a normal hoodie, but I decided to make it my own by taking the sleeves off to make it into a vest. Every time I wear this piece, it reminds me of my mom and the times she would wear it when I was a lot younger.

Q: If you could make your own clothing line, what concept or name would you give it?

A: If I were to have my own clothing line, the concept would definitely be along the lines of 90s grunge with a little playful twist on it. I absolutely love 90s grunge, as well as playful and colorful aesthetics. I love seeing it all combined into one look; a nostalgic childhood meets 90 grunge creates an iconic concept. I'm super into the whole KAWS Sesame Street x Uniqlo collaboration because of it's unexpected twist, yet it still working out in the best way possible.