Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 24, 2025

Meet Sohee Park, The New-Gen Couturier Loved By Bella Hadid And Cardi B

Meet Sohee Park, The New-Gen Couturier Loved By Bella Hadid And Cardi B

The South Korean-born, London-based designer and founder of Miss Sohee explains why the future of haute couture lies in emerging talent, and how her latest collection is an ode to her grandmother.

“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.” Since launching her eponymous label, Miss Sohee, the 25-year-old creative director has not only employed an eco-conscious standard by using deadstock and recycled fabrics, but has amassed a star-studded following that includes Cardi B, Miley Cyrus, and Bella Hadid.



Raised in Seoul and now based in west London, the Central Saint Martins graduate has a taste inspired by trinkets of the past, combined with her signature ultra-feminine panache. “I’ve always been intrigued by old things such as vintage clothing and antique furniture,” says Park. “I see potential in the classic and timeless because many of those get forgotten.”

Her fall 2021 couture collection is an intimate ode to childhood holidays spent by the sea with her beloved grandmother, who sadly passed away last year. “I grew up being inspired by her because she was such a skilled sewer who loved to embroider everything,” she says. “I lived in the city, but going to her house by the seaside was total escapism. She lived in her own world.”

Here, Vogue catches up with the designer on the inspirations behind her latest collection, why sustainable practices are crucial, and how the future of haute couture lies in emerging talent.



Alex Kessler: Hi, Sohee! What was the moment that got you interested in fashion?


Sohee Park: Initially I wanted to be an illustrator because my mother is a children’s book illustrator and I grew up playing in her studio. The turning point came when I was 14 and saw the Chanel spring 2012 couture show on television at my grandmother’s house. I was so inspired by the complete escapism. Then, I started to skip classes to watch fashion shows and buy magazines.

You studied at the prestigious Central Saint Martins in London. What did this experience instill in you as a designer?


Growing up in Korea, it was a very conservative culture and I was this weird kid who was drawing all the time. But when I came to CSM, the tutors pushed me to be the most extreme version of myself.



Haute couture is quite niche, especially for a young designer. What was it about the craft that drew you into it and what do you see for its future?


I appreciate the delicate embroidery, hand sewing and all of the hard work that goes into a single garment because you can feel it when you wear it. It’s also relaxing, almost meditative. I find it soothing sewing on thousands of crystals.

Couture shouldn’t just be for big fashion houses with an atelier in Paris, it’s about the craftsmanship and artistry. We’re in a world where there's so much mass-produced clothing creating unnecessary waste, so I hope to see more young couturiers in the future who go against this.



You graduated during lockdown, which must have been difficult, and this is your first collection outside university-how is it to still have to work within the confines of the pandemic?


It can be stressful. If someone gets COVID-19, we’d have to close down the studio. Plus, there are so many delays with receiving materials. Buyers seem to be looking into more wearable clothing now as well, but I still want to create things that I believe in, and hope it’ll all get better soon.



Tell us about the new collection. What were the inspirations and references?


As I started creating the collection, my grandmother passed away so it was a hard time, but it made me look back at my memories of spending time with her at her house by the sea in South Korea. It’s close to Jeju Island, the home of the Haenyeo female divers. Without any equipment, these women dive down 15 meters to collect shellfish and seaweed by hand, so that also inspired me. I love that their practices are harmonious and show respect to the ocean.



There are some major sustainable elements in your project. Talk us through the key points.


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.



Everything looks incredibly beautiful. What’s your favorite look? Tell us how it’s made.


Definitely the white look-it was inspired by the volumes and curves of seashells. It took three months to create, with five people involved. It’s made out of the abacá fabric, which is moulded into a beautiful figure-hugging shape-the process took so long-and then we hand-embellished everything with the recycled crystals.

From Cardi B and Miley Cyrus to Bella Hadid, you’ve dressed some modern-day icons since the launch of your brand. Who would you love to see wearing your clothes?

I would love to dress Cardi B again, I think she’s the mother of couture. I’m obsessed with her.




If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?


I just got my second vaccine dose, so I hope I can go back to Korea and see my family soon. I haven't been for two-and-a-half years.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
Microsoft, US Lab to Use AI for Faster Nuclear Plant Licensing
Trump Walks Back Talk of Firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Irish Tech Worker Detained 100 days by US Authorities for Overstaying Visa
Dimon Warns on Fed Independence as Trump Administration Eyes Powell’s Succession
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Jeff Bezos Considers Purchasing Condé Nast as a Wedding Gift
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She’s Ready to Testify Before Congress on Epstein’s Criminal Empire
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
×