Onjoo Mac

A true idealist, designer Onjoo Mac has big dreams: for herself and the fashion industry.  Since the early age of 12, Onjoo knew she wanted to be a designer after she knitted her first jumper.  Now, she constantly thinking bigger and better, expanding her dreams and the goals she wishes to accomplish.

“I want to have my own shop.  I want to have a three-story building in the middle of Soho.  The ground floor would be my shop.  The next floor would be my studio, and the top floor would be my living area,” Onjoo said.  “I want to be recognized by people from the industry, not just customers…(I don’t just want to be) an idol for the customers, (but also an) idol for fashion designers.

I don’t think Ralph Lauren is an idol for fashion designers.”However, just because Onjoo has a large imagination does not mean her head is in the clouds. “This business needs creativity as well as organizational skills and business skills,” Onjoo said.  “I think I have both, so it is perfect for me.”  Despite her belief, Onjoo worries that she is missing items that the fashion industry requires.  “Sometimes people (who have) a lot of money and now a lot of people (are) successful…(even though their) clothes might not be good quality,” Onjoo said with a frown.

“A designer with talent and drive may not become successful because of lack of funds.”  Like many of us, Onjoo seems to have a love/hate relationship with money.  She sees it as not only hindering her success but also as stunting creativity and originality by promoting fashion trends.  “Everyone’s body figure does not fit that design, but every designer will design the same thing just to sell,” she said.  “I wish people didn’t follow trends,

so you can have your own style.  Then, you can show your personality more and you don’t have to worry about what other people think of you.  It makes the fashion industry more interesting.”  Onjoo implied that trends end originality.  “Everyone looks the same,” she said.  When designing her own clothes, Onjoo said she draws her inspiration from everything around her, especially 1990’s street culture.  She said her style is

“bringing wild and raw feelings into structured form.”  Her incorporation of different materials is what Onjoo believes makes her work unique.  “I mix unexpected fabrics with conventional materials.  Other designers change shapes or have detailed patterns.  Mine is actually textiles.”

*****Onjoo’s collection can be viewed in London at Margin, September 8-9, and Profile, September 15-16.******

Dasia Abel

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