"Korean Culture News" Vol.13〈Shesaidthat〉Designer Lee Yezi

No, that's not true. I had never studied design, but I had a strong desire to create something, so I went to a school to learn technology. There I learned how to use Photoshop and Illustrator and the basics of design, and after graduating I worked for a company in a shopping mall, but it really didn't suit me.

Now that I run my own company, I understand how they feel, but at the time I thought, "Why should I have to do what other people tell me to do when I have things I want to do?" So I decided to start my own brand.

I had a strong desire to do this and that, and working for a company didn't suit me. Since I was going to be independent, I wanted to do only what I wanted to do, so I chose this name for my brand, which means "I've gathered only the things I like."

I grew up in Gyeonggi Province, which is fairly close to Seoul, but it was a really rural town with nothing going on, and the only entertainment I had was watching TV. I loved making things, so I would write letters on really big cards and give them to my friends, but that was about it. I wanted to go to Seoul, but I was scared and hesitant. I thought I'd probably stay in the countryside forever.

I love clothes, especially the brand Albanic, so I wanted to work in a job related to the clothes, and I joined the customer service department. There, I watched the work of the designers and the president from the sidelines, and they looked really cool.

Also, when I was in the countryside, I thought that everyone spent their salary on living expenses. But people in Seoul spent the money they earned on hobbies and studying to improve themselves. I was really shocked to see that.

It first became popular in Taiwan. One day, a man came into a store in Seoul and bought a whole bunch of products worth about 200,000 yen. Apparently, the man worked at a select shop that Taiwanese idols and celebrities frequent, and from there it became popular all over the world.

I was happy that my products were popular, but on the other hand, I got too busy and ended up releasing a product that I didn't like.

At that time, I felt very anxious and resentful. I wondered whether I should do what I liked or what others liked. I was in a slump. I even created a new brand with simple designs that were different from my usual style and that Korean people liked. But I was too concerned about what others thought, which had nothing to do with me. Sales were not bad, but I was mentally exhausted.

At that time, I learned that no matter what other people say, the most important thing is to continue doing what you love. Of course, as long as you don't cause trouble for others. I want to continue living my life true to what I love.