Fashionclash Festival 2017: Hocheol Moon

One To Watch from Fashionclash Festival 2017! Berlin based designer Hocheol Moon unveiled his stunning womenswear collection to the fashion world in Maastricht. The collection is named AR-ZEN“. I had a chat with the award winning fashion designer about the 9th edition of our favourite festival, his work and asking the question: Does fashion makes sense?

Name: Hocheol Moon / Age: 39  / Hometown: Berlin, Germany / Womenswear

KALTBLUT: Does fashion makes sense?
HM: I catch myself thinking often about the relationship between humans and fashion. What if a human body was a house and fashion could be interior style?
Look at it this way. The house is something that doesn’t change easily, but in case of interior style, one can fill and decorate his house easily just the way he likes it and what ever season it is or what is in style.  So, I started the collection from that angle.
I think that my thoughts are similar to the theme of this FashionClash Festival 2017.

KALTBLUT: Hello. Welcome to KALTBLUT. Why have you decided to participate at FASHIONCLASH Festival?
HM: I happened to see a video of FASHIONCLASH Festival, I liked the fresh and lively atmosphere of the festival. As I said before, I thought this year´s festival theme and my collection theme match well. So I participated in this festival.

KALTBLUT: Can you tell us something about the collection you presented at the FASHIONCLASH Festival 2017? What was your inspiration?
HM: One day an idea flashed on me : What if a house was a human body and interior design could be fashion? With this idea in mind I started creating my collection, which was inspired by two contrasting interior and architectural styles : Zen and Art Nouveau! The former is my favorite style and very familiar.  That´s why I made up the title called „AR-ZEN“.

In case of Zen- I tried to reflect Zen´s oriental mood and understated design aesthetic on both a palette and details of my collection. From Art Nouveau – I was more inspired by the unbalanced and rhythmical silhouette of curves. I focused more on Art Nouveau´s spirit that combines with exotic culture.  And I also involved the aspect of practicality in my collection, so vital to interior design for example bags with a glove and a neck warmer with a collar.

Thus, my collection´s goal is to remind you of a staircase, a curtain and a lamp´s shape in an oriental atmosphere of restrained beauty.

KALTBLUT: What kind of material did you used for the collection?
HM: For the silhouette of this collection, I used thick wool, cashmere and leather as main material.

KALTBLUT: What challenges did you face during the design process?
HM: The previous menswear collection showed a lot of detail, and in this womenswear collection, it was a bit difficult to abstain as much detail as the theme.
Without losing my fashion philosophy, it was not easy to create a completely different collection.

KALTBLUT: How would you describe your self and your work?
HM: As a literature major, I have literary sensitivity and am interested in human psychology. It is my constant goal to combine fashion with literature or psychology.
I and my work want to be seen as a literary or humanist in the fashion industry.

KALTBLUT: What would you say that is the biggest influence to your design process?
HM: I consider freshness, storyline, humanity as the most important factor and starting point when I plan a collection.

KALTBLUT: If you had not become a fashion designer, what would you do instead?
HM: Perhaps I have become a film director (I particularly the film director of Pedro Almodovar and Dardenne Brothers) or a professor of German literature with my major in South Korea.

KALTBLUT: Who’s your dream client?
HM: A person who wants to know and respect the designer’s fashion theme and philosophy and can communicate in depth about fashion and art is my dream client.

KALTBLUT: What was the first item you have ever designed? And who was the lucky one to get it?
HM: I participated in the costume play contest for fun before learning the design. At that time I made a Dracula dress. I beat the professional costume players and won the championship and got the latest computer on the award.  The first item seems to have led me to become a fashion designer.

KALTBLUT: What can we expect from you in near future?
HM: I recently completed my new menswear collection.
You will soon be able to see it through my social networks and fashion shows.

And I will continue to present collection line (called „HOCHEOL MOON“) reflecting my identity and philosophy, and at the same time I will proceed modern and a sophisticated minimal line and handmade line for those looking for something special.

KALTBLUT: Where can we buy your fashion?
HM: I am preparing to launch my label in 2017. You will soon be able to buy at the shops and online. And I open my atelier every Saturday. If you book in advance via email or social network message, you can also visit and see this women collection, new menswear collection, accessories and handmade products. All Fashion lovers are always welcome.

Instagram : www.instagram.com/hocheol_moon

Facebook : www.facebook.com/sane.dovar

Website : www.hocheolmoon.com

Interview by Marcel Schlutt www.instagram.com/marcel_schlutt

photography: Team Peter Stigter www.instagram.com/teampeterstigter