Our partner Best Absolute Style had an exclusive interview with a stylist Read the interview below!

Posted by Isa

Recently, BAS had the privilege of speaking with a stylist who has worked in the kpop industry for six years. She graciously agreed to answer a few questions for us about her work with idols. 

Here is what she had to say.

자기소개랑이일에어떻게들어가게되었는지를말해주세요.
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in the industry?

My name is Alice. I was born here in Seoul, this year I am 32 years old. I became a stylist by accident. I studied graphic design in university and in my final year I worked with fashion students making unique patterns to print on fabric. One of these students rented a small boutique in Hongdae when we graduate and I worked with her. She sold dresses that used my pattern materials. They became hot items with artists and other fashionable people.

I was later hired with my friend to make clothing for a girl group that would debut so we closed the store. Because of money they were not able to debut but we became connected to our first styling team and I have worked as a stylist for 6 years.

일하면서제일좋은점과나쁜점을말해주세요.
What are the best and worst parts of your job?

The best and worst things can be the same, the person you’re working with. I have worked with idols from different generations, companies, specialties and they make your task easier or harder. Also when you work with a performer who has a passion it is a beautiful feeling.

I have worked with people like Lee Hyori, SS501, A’st1, MBlaq and many others. Work is not hard when the performer is full of passion. Maybe they do not have the best skill or the biggest fanclub but if they have passion [then] work is art. Because I have worked only with idol groups for the past 3 years I think another fun part is to learn about the members and help them develop an individual style.

Kpop이한국패션에어떤영향을끼첬다고생각하세요? 반대로는?   
How do you think Kpop effects Korean fashion trends and vice versa?

Many people believe that idols and celebrities change the fashion trends but mostly this is not true. Korean fashion is affected by Japan and the West and those trends change idols wardrobe. Especially the airport fashions. Airport fashion is planned for most groups, it must carefully display the idols personality, fashion sense, current status [place in the industry] and wealth.

일하면서아이돌에게골라준옷이마음에안들어한적이있나요? 그때어떻게했습니까? 팬들의반응도모니터하십니까, 아니면 Best.Absolute.Style (배스트.앱솔루트.스타일) 같은패션을따라가는사이트를체크하시나요?
Have the idols you worked for ever expressed negative feelings towards the outfits you’ve chosen? How is that situation handled? And how about fan reactions, do you monitor fans reactions to clothing or sites like Best.Absolute.Style that tracks idol fashion?

Many times a performer is not happy with an item or a concept but part of my job, I think is to explain why we do this, what the idea is and how it will help them.

I do not monitor fan reaction and I don’t like to listen to internet comments from fans often because they worry too much about the small details. Maybe their favorite singer’s shirt is not as revealing as other members or they don’t think that the color suits their favorite group well, but they don’t understand the reason something is like this. Maybe his shirt is bigger because he don’t feel comfortable showing his body. Things like this.

I didn’t know there were sites dedicated to the fashion of groups. I know some groups are seen as fashion icons like Bigbang but I was surprised to see so many blogs that track Korean artist style. I will work harder.

스타일리스트가아이돌의인기에큰도움이된다고생각합니까?
Do you think kpop stylists play an important role to the popularity of idols?

My pride will say that we are very important but I know that maybe fashion is only a small piece. If we help in a small way this is enough. When a group debuts, I think styling is a foundation. Later for some idols, maybe an idol in a scandal or with a negative public reaction everything they do and wear is discussed very thoroughly, so sometimes I think we do more than people know. A stylist does not get much pay and they do not have any big status but in our world I think we are as important as a manager and fans.

Kpop이세계적으로더유명해지는겄이손님에게입히는스타일을바꿨습니까?
Has the increasing international popularity of Kpop changed the way you style your clients?

I have heard for many years that kpop is growing and that the wave has spread so far. When I started I even worked with a group that was very popular in Japan, but I don’t think I understood how big the Hallyu reach was until this year because I worked with a group that is trying to move into different markets and is experiencing big love from around the world.

Fans from Dubai, Peru, Alaska and even South Africa send gifts and love. Now I try to work harder and think about everyone’s sensibility. However, I think I am an artist in my own world so maybe I don’t change just become more aware.

올여름아이돌의트랜드는뭐라고생각합니까?
What do you think are the upcoming trends for idols this summer?

I think that in the summer a typical outfit is bright and colorful but this year black and white will be popular also, together with bright colors.  Also floral print and bold pattern like SHINee’s and Infinite’s recent concepts. But idols have a group image so I think it is hard to say one trend! 

Question translations provided by Sarah of B.A.P Yes Sir! 
Answers translated by Choi Younha 
Edited by Jesse