We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dain Kim a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dain, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic stems from a combination of factors that have shaped my approach to what I do.
Firstly, I genuinely love what I do. The passion I have for my work is a driving force that propels me to give my best each day.
Secondly, credit goes to my parents who raised me with a strong sense of respect for others. This upbringing instilled in me the values of diligence and integrity, essential elements of a robust work ethic.
Moreover, I maintain a clear boundary between my personal and work life, recognizing that while work is significant, it’s also essential to prioritize personal well-being. Remembering that work is just a part of life helps me maintain a healthy balance.
This separation allows me to bring my best self to both realms, contributing to a more fulfilling and sustainable approach to my professional and personal endeavors. In essence, my work ethic is a blend of passion, respect, and a conscious effort to maintain a harmonious work-life balance.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Dain Kim, a jewelry designer from South Korea with a passion for infusing abstract forms of nature into my creations. What excites me most about my artistic career is the opportunity to design for a diverse audience, irrespective of gender, and to explore the abstract beauty and forms of nature through unique jewelry pieces.
In addition to my personal design pursuits, I’ve had the privilege of designing for esteemed brands such as Coach, Betsey Johnson, Disney, Urban Outfitters, and Ana Luisa. The works I’ve done for the brands have allowed me to bring my creative vision to a broader audience and contribute to the dynamic world of commercial jewelry.
Looking ahead, my focus is on fostering more collaborations and, ultimately, building my own brand. I’m thrilled about the prospect of creating a space where my artistic expression can flourish, and I invite everyone to stay tuned for future endeavors, events, and perhaps some exciting launches on the horizon. Thanks for joining me on this journey!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey, three essential elements have significantly influenced my path.
First and foremost is an insatiable curiosity, especially about fashion trends and brands. Staying informed and intrigued by the ever-evolving industry landscape has been instrumental.
Secondly, equipping myself with essential tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Rhino6 has been another game-changer. Proficiency in these tools has not only enhanced my design capabilities but also opened doors for many other opportunities such as job offerings.
Lastly, maintaining a social and professional network has proven invaluable. Regular contact with industry peers, professors, and coworkers has provided insights, opportunities, and a support system crucial for growth.
For those starting their journey, my advice is to cultivate curiosity, never stop learning the necessary tools, and prioritize building a robust professional network. These qualities will not only fortify your foundation but also propel you forward in your creative pursuits.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely, I’m all about collaboration and welcome creative partnerships. If you’re a fellow fashion or jewelry designer, or even maybe a tattoo artist, I’d love to connect and explore collaborative possibilities.
Recently, I had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented British fashion designer Eva. Her collection ‘Retexens’ explores the sensual and grotesque decaying form of nature and show a glimpse of what dystopian world might look like in a form of fashion. Since I also love to refer to the bone structures and withering forms in nature, our works beautifully complemented each other. Notably, her designs were featured on the CFDA runway, marking a successful collection and collaboration that merged our distinct creative visions. You can see her works featured in this article in collaboration with my jewelry. If anyone is interested in checking out Eva’s amazing work here is her instagram handle as well. All works are collaboration with, image credit @eva.osiris.
If you’re reading this and the idea of collaboration sparks your interest, please feel free to connect with me. Whether through email or Instagram, I’m open to new ideas and eager to explore the exciting possibilities that arise from creative partnerships.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dainkim.com/
- Instagram: @dainkim1026
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/da-in-kim
Image Credits
Instagram handle for image credits Fashion designer: Eva Neville Photography: Gem hale Hair and makeup: Evaristo Pereira Models: Olivia Orr, Sara Lynn Assistant/set design assistant: Maya Woltz
