By Honorary Reporter Ishani Ghosh from US

Photo = Popsiz

Kim Chae-won is the founder and CEO of Popsiz, a Seoul-based sustainable clothing brand that she launched in 2020 at age 24. 

Her brand is getting major recognition after being worn by several major K-pop artists such as Twice and Red Velvet. Popsiz sells products such as upcycled vintage denim and graphic printed indigo rather than regular denim to reduce water use, uses natural dyes, organic textiles, recycled plastics and dead stock fabric for its creations, and utilizes biodegradable and recyclable packaging.

The following are excerpts from a written interview with Kim on Feb. 15.

What motivated you to create a sustainable brand?
I was first exposed to sustainability in college but felt sort of hostile to the idea. I merely thought sustainable fashion is nonsense, dull and ugly. My mom, who was fed up with the industry's wastefulness after working in it for 30 years, suggested attending sustainable fashion summits together. After gaining knowledge about sustainable fashion, I was triggered to spread it for the sake of future generations. 

Sana from the K-pop girl group Twice wore this Popsiz dress.

How did K-pop artists end up wearing your clothes?
Fortunately, a lot of artists prefer to wear our upcycled items over other pieces, which certainly raised awareness of sustainable fashion to their Asian fans and other artists. Level of awareness doesn't always translate to more sales, but we're at the early stage in which young customers get in touch with sustainable fashion.

To what extent has K-Pop contributed to the success of your brand?

I regularly receive messages from audiences who learn about sustainable fashion from K-pop stars who perform wearing my pieces. I feel blessed when getting replies from people who gained new awareness of sustainable fashion, mostly young people like teenagers to those in their early 20s. 

What are your hopes for your brand?
Both as an entrepreneur and designer, I consider as my most important task raising awareness of sustainable fashion among young consumers. Though a few glamorous brands in sustainable fashion in the U.S. and Europe are having a tremendous effect on the industry, I see none in Asia. Popsiz aims to promote sustainable fashion in Asia so that young people in the region know that eco-friendly fashion can still be trendy and chic. 

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.