BINNIE'S BLOG

Why include the voice of nature?
We must include the voice of nature because our existence is deeply connected to it. Humanity was born from nature, and we remain an inseparable part of its system. Without nature, there is no “us.” Even as technology advances and we attempt to recreate or simulate the natural world through artificial means, these innovations still come from nature’s logic and beauty. They mirror its rhythms, draw inspiration from its resources, and are tested against its integrity. This paradox of humans trying to rebuild what already exists perfectly only reminds us that we cannot live apart from nature.

What would they have to say?
If nature could speak, it would ask us to recognise its true worth. It would remind us that it is not an endless source of materials to be taken and consumed. Nature is a living system with limits that must be respected. Humanity needs to regain humility and understand that the generosity of nature is not infinite.

What would they want to see changed?
Nature would want us to rediscover the meaning of coexistence. Today, it may seem that humans and nature share the same world, but in truth, our relationship is often based on use and control rather than care and balance. We tend to turn to nature only when it serves our needs. True coexistence means mutual respect and awareness that we live within nature, not apart from it.

How can we take a values conscious approach?
To take a values conscious approach, we need to move beyond the simple idea of protecting nature and focus instead on creating real harmony with it. We should see natural resources not as possessions to be owned but as gifts that we borrow for a time. This idea was at the heart of my previous project From Soil to Soil. It expressed a circular understanding of material life, where everything taken from the earth eventually returns to it in a form that can be received again. By using pure and biodegradable materials, we allow this exchange to happen naturally. When we borrow from nature with care and return what we owe with respect, we create a continuous and balanced cycle of renewal.

What role do you think you can play?
I am not an environmental activist, and I do not take part in community campaigns. Still, I believe small and thoughtful choices within my own practice can create meaningful impact. I try to question the origin and composition of the materials I use, to choose responsibly, and to buy from local or secondhand shops whenever I can. These small decisions may appear minor, yet they carry quiet influence. They remind me that sustainability is not a duty or a passing idea but a way of thinking that begins with awareness and grows through the choices we make every day.

My Immediate Values: Achievement, Balance, Home, Growth, Reliability

What do you prioritize in your life? Career, Job security, Being the best

What are you passionate about discussing, what topics do you frequently discuss? I love talking about human psychology, interesting things about people, and philosophy.

What makes you excited for the future? What do you look forward to in your life? I look forward to living a busy, fulfilling work life, building a strong career, and finding a good balance between work and rest.

What gives you a sense of purpose? I’m still figuring that out.

What makes you angry or frustrated? Is there a myth you want to bust, or an injustice you want to see change? Unfair environments or situations really frustrate me.

What makes you feel content, confident, or cozy? What makes you feel stable? I feel most content and grounded when I’ve completed all my tasks successfully.

Blog Task

Chosen Project:
Hand-embroidered name tags for bespoke dresses for clients at Miss Sohee.

Who benefits from it? Whose needs does it meet? Who is the audience or user?
The main beneficiaries are the clients who commission bespoke couture pieces. The name tags create a sense of intimacy and individuality within each garment, adding a personal connection between the wearer and the designer. The project also benefits the brand, as it strengthens Miss Sohee’s image of exclusivity, craftsmanship, and emotional storytelling in fashion.

What values does it hold through its design?
This project holds values of beauty, craftsmanship, identity, and care. Each tag is delicately hand-embroidered, symbolizing respect for the client’s uniqueness and the artistry behind couture. The process itself celebrates the slow, detailed nature of making, which is something often lost in fast fashion.

Does it match your values?
Yes, it aligns closely with my values of authenticity, self-expression, and grace. I find purpose in creating something personal and meaningful that exists beyond aesthetics, an element that connects emotionally with its wearer.

How could you adapt it to include another value (perhaps one of your own)?
I would like to include the value of sustainability by exploring naturally dyed or upcycled threads for the embroidery. This could bring an additional layer of meaning to the design, connecting beauty with environmental consciousness, while maintaining the elegance and exclusivity that define Miss Sohee’s identity.

As a Korean designer, my identity and background strongly shape how I see and create. I have lived in many different places, Incheon, Jeju, Seoul, Vietnam, London, and New York, and each place has influenced how I understand culture, material, and design. Growing up in international schools based on the American system, I was constantly surrounded by people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Yet, as the only one among my peers who came to the UK for university, I often find myself reflecting on what it means to carry my own cultural roots while navigating new environments.

Being part of an international student community has made me sensitive to how culture and identity are expressed through creative work. I am often drawn to subjects with deep symbolic or philosophical meaning, and I enjoy exploring how visual form can convey emotion and thought. My Korean heritage, especially the beauty of traditional aesthetics, simplicity, natural harmony, and subtle expression continues to guide my practice. Through my design practice, I explore my identity and cross cultural experiences, translating philosophical ideas and deeper meanings into both digital and hand-crafted textile works.

This year, my goal is to complete four placements across different areas of the textile industry, and I began my first one on 8th September at a print textile design studio called Bay & Brown. During my time there, I worked on a range of tasks including creating fabric motifs, organising collections by season, and managing studio emails. Because I was involved in so many different aspects of the studio, I was able to learn a great deal. For instance, sorting numerous fabrics into SS and FW categories became a valuable exercise for my colour study practice.

At university, I usually draw in my own preferred style or adjust it to suit the project theme. However, at Bay & Brown I designed for clients, which pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and explore new visual languages. I worked on geometric patterns, paisleys for decorative fabrics, repeat designs inspired by architecture, oriental florals, toile de Jouy motifs, and illustrations for a tribal collection.

Before starting, I had wanted to experience a large company to understand its systems and structure. Yet through this placement, I discovered the advantages of a smaller studio. I could engage closely with different stages of the design process and gain practical, hands-on experience that helped me grow as a designer far more than I expected.