Who Is Minju Kim?

What's a Minju Kim? Do I need one? Is it a form of bum-bag?
All became structured and candy pink when the Antwerp based Korean designer shone through to win the H&M Design Award this fine day. With Lady Leith Clark & Mister Jonathon Saunders aiding in judging and a chilly Stockholm silhouette, it became a moment in time that could easily redefine the hazy world of designer - high street collaborations. Echoing some notions of architectural & Japanese influences seen at Rodarte, Balmain & Balenciaga SS 13, the breathtaking twists of the bubblegum colour palate, contrasting textures and some seriously skyscraper sterdy laser cut shapes, put Kim on a enviable road of gush from editor's and commentators alike.

With the collection entitled "Dear My Friends" upon which was inspired by Japanese anime horror writer Junji, and Kim's focus on Happy, Brave, Love, provoked warm and stunned feelings amongst people present, focussing on the endearing sherbet-like palette of candy pinks, sky blues and egg yolk yellows AND all the pieces were handmade. In terms of quality of structured arms and shoulders, it definately seems a corner has been turned in avoidance of perhaps unflattering cuts. With boosts in design technology over the past couple of seasons, even people with a low budget can get access to a well designed and sculpted architectural corker. Resembling Japanese bush fighters, adorning haunting animal based headwear, Japanese illustrated leather battle plates and candy floss collars it's no wonder Leith Clark was quoted as saying "The moment I saw the collection I knew I would have it photographed", which may be the most comendable compliment a collection could achieve at such a level. Even some of Kim's previous collection have kept in tune with a similar twisted innocent colour palatte which I think will be super dreamy for the H&M Minju Kim collaboration capsule collection that will be in many a moon away, predicted A/W 2013. I think I'm a real sucker for playful yet edgy collections that offers the eye something different and get people talking. Serious shoe envy also with the statement Japansese illustrated, lace tied shoes that had a rebellious schoolgirl charm that I'm forever falling hook line and sinker for. I'm really in anticipation for this collaboration, after been in parts underwhelmed by collaborations with more well known designers and high street brands.

It's easy to get a genuine grasp of the feel of the show, that Kim followed her designer's heart and believed in her own ability to redefine a silhouette, redefine a concept and redefine what it means to have fun with your fashion. The delicate workmanship that goes into handmaking each individual look, and by gum they were individual, isn't even comprehendable. Volumes were curved, the texture contrasts were out of this world and there was even a little good old gingham thrown in for decent measure. There was PVC, metallics, fur, tassles, sweetheart necklines, pleats, very gutsy. If H&M can get this attempt at upping their high fashion quoitent, which hasn't been as successful as some may have hoped in previous attempts, right, it could really add some excitement back into accessible high-street stores and make more creative souls accessible to those in appreciation of purposeful, diverse and skillfull works of winning worthy garment art. If the capsule collection can evoke such an instant gratification to the pleasure of the eye like the original collection, surely it will sell it in a flash, and I will once more be left weeping in crave for Japanese bear fighting headwear.