Today’s subject was originally introduced to us by Gsus López, the fashion filmmaker we interviewed a few months back here at So Catchy! Where Fashion Begins. For his film, “It Melts”, he used some of Tae Seok Kang’s bags, and needless to say, when we saw them, we fell in love.
Tae Seok Kang, from Korea, has studied in two of the most important places for design in the world, the London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins. He’s currently working on his own brand and designing accessories for Alberta Ferretti, and internationally, he has worked on many different projects, including one with the actress, Kate Bosworth.
In 2014 he won the Vegan UK PETA Award for the category of “Most Stylish Bag” and he uses materials and shapes that are unusual in the world of handbag design, like teats plated in gold and tassels made from hair.
SO CATCHY!: So why how did you decide to focus your design career on creating bags?
TAE SEOK KANG: I always wanted to be a handbag designer like Jimmy Choo is in the Shoe industry
SC!: Some of your bags are more commercial and others seem more special and full of meaning. How would you define your style?
TSK: They are all from my sexual curiosity.
SC!: Where can we find your bags?
TSK: There are seventy-five of them in Red Church Street and MK2UK online.
SC!: We have seen you work with many unusual materials. Do you have any favourite materials?
TSK: Calf leather.
SC!: Are there any techniques or specific materials that characterise your work?
TSK: I use moulded leather and hair and casted body parts and I use them to make my ideal design of bag.
SC!: What do you want people to feel when they wear your bags?
TSK: I hope that anyone who has something from my collection will feel they have a special and luxury item.
SC!: Do you have one bag that you feel especially proud of?
TSK: Every one of my bags.
SC!: What’s the perfect bag for you?
TSK: The Hermes Kelly.
SC!: A place you are in love with…
TSK: Primrose Hill is my favourite place in London.
SC!: A word of advice for someone who wants to start up their own business label?
TSK: Have confidence in your identity what you can do.
SC!: Where do you see yourself in the near future?
YSK: I will build up my label more and collaborate with more luxury labels and celebrities.
All images courtesy of Tae Seok Kang.
Translation and Layout by Michael Padilla.
