The Meteoric Rise of Miss Sohee
The Rome Film Festival’s premiere of the new ‘Eternals’ movie had our eyes glued on two things, Angelina Jolie’s horrific hair extensions and Gemma Chan’s eye-catching velvet skirt and crop top set with Swarovski adorned headpiece. While many focused firmly on this excellent red carpet look, those within the fashion world took note of the brand Chan wore - Miss Sohee.
Image: Franco Origlia
Miss Sohee is the eponymous brand of Sohee Park, a 2020 graduate of Central Saint Martins raised in Seoul but now based in West London. Her designs have been growing in popularity steadily but surely, not just because her looks are new and exciting but because of the impressive celebrity endorsements the brand has already achieved. Sohee’s graduate collection “The Girl In Full Bloom” which featured voluminous gowns with nods to 1960s glam and Old Hollywood references was noticed by many, including Miley Cyrus, the first celebrity to embrace the brand. Cyrus wore an iridescent, bubbled ballgown for a performance on The Graham Norton Show in 2020, quite the way to launch a brand straight out of CSM!
The first unofficial brand ambassador being Miley Cyrus suits this brand impeccably, the designs are rarely designed with everyday wear in mind and extravagant, over the top details are prominent. In simple words, Miss Sohee designs are exciting, invigorating and daring. Sounds rather like Miley Cyrus too!
Since this first endorsement, Miss Sohee has continued to be worn by notable figures in 2021. Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Naomi Campbell on the cover of The Cut and BLACKPINK star Lisa. A reminder once again, Sohee Park graduated last year and is already being worn by literal supermodels. This sort of success is a rare occurrence, to begin with, but to reach these levels so quickly is sure proof of genius.
Sohee’s designs are a breath of fresh air, yet they carry a comforting sense of nostalgia. All of the brands designs have a clear route of inspiration, from the opulent age of Old Hollywood, the dazzling motifs of the roaring 20s to the glamorous 1960s. Sohee’s 2021 Autumn/Winter collection, her second full collection, “Hanyeo” is inspired by her childhood by the sea. Hanyeo is a Korean word meaning ‘sea woman’ and according to Sohee these sea women "are old female divers that harvest shellfish in the island of Jeju in South Korea. They were my muses for this collection. Their ways of living, harmony with ocean, and motherhood truly touched me while creating this collection."
While Sohee’s designs are refreshing, her take on sustainability is also to be welcomed with open arms. Speaking to Vogue about her latest collection, Sohee spoke about sourcing more sustainable materials for her pieces:
“I sourced recycled crystals, sponsored by [glass manufacturer] Preciosa, and I found this interesting fabric made from the abacá plant, a species of the banana tree, that looks shimmery and beautiful. I used a lot of fabrics from Nona Source, which is an LVMH-run brand that resources deadstock designer fabrics directly from their labels.”
Sustainability is also a player in drawing Sohee into couture fashion, “Being sustainable is a responsibility for emerging designers,” says Sohee Park. “It’s why I’m drawn to haute couture—there’s no mass production and only what is necessary is used.”
The future of Miss Sohee cannot be completely known, but it seems promising! In just over a year a CSM graduate has found her designs being worn on red carpets and in editorial shoots, and right now the sky is her limit. Miss Sohee is a brand you need to be keeping your eye firmly on.
