designers in busan

Jaison, Christophe Guillarme Make Korea Debut in PAP Busan By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The Pret-a-Porter (PAP) Busan is known as a stepping-stone for international designers to enter the Korean market, such as renowned designers Michiko Koshino, Maria Cornejo, Richard Chai and Doo-ri Chung, along with rising designers Belgian Christian Wijnants and French-Argentian Gaspard Yurkievich. This year, there were no big name designers, but certainly the presence of up-and-coming Paris-based designers Christophe Guillarme and Jaison added excitement to the event. Jaison, a Korean designer who opened his own showroom in Paris in 2005, expressed excitement at having the opportunity to showcase his designs in Korea for the first time. In an interview with The Korea Times, Jaison said he had always dreamt of going to Paris and fulfilling his ambition of becoming a designer in the world's fashion capital. ``I am inspired by Paris, the music and its people. I think Paris is a romantic and fantastic city. … Paris is the fashion capital of the world, and there you can meet buyers not just from France but buyers from all over the world,'' he said. Jaison graduated with a degree in textile arts from Kyung Won University in 2000, and then from the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale in 2003. He worked as a stylist for Paco Rabanne, Eric Bergere, and as a couture designer for Fredric Alzra and Diamont Blanc. Since launching his brand in 2005, Jaison has already shown his collection in Paris, Moscow and Dubai to much acclaim. His romantic, extravagant designs are available in boutiques in Moscow, London and the Middle East, but Jaison is still looking to introduce his brand in Korea. ``If people here like my brand, I would love to bring it here,'' Jaison said. In an interview with The Korea Times, Guillarme said he was excited to have been invited to Busan, which he described as a ``lovely city'' with a charm similar to Cape Town in South Africa. The 28-year old French designer said he mixed both Italian and Parisian style for his dramatic collection filled with ultra-glamorous and seductive gowns. Guillarme said his 2008 spring and summer collection was the first time he had decided to go all out with his creative vision. ``I wanted to create something very different that you cannot see on another person. … I've decided not to make any compromises. I'm only making very strong, dramatic pieces with my sexy style. My most successful pieces are not commercial, but the one-of-a-kind designs. This is what people are expecting from me, and I'm glad to do this,'' he said. While this is his first time in Korea, Guillarme admitted he became a big fan of renowned hanbok designer Lee Young-hee after seeing her fashion show in Paris. Guillarme would like to enter the Korean market, saying he is willing to make appropriate design changes to cater to the customers. In Asia, his clothes are presently available in multi-brand shops in Japan and the Philippines. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr