Here’s a rising star designer that I discovered in Moule. As I fingered though the racks, a little peasant top number caught my eye. I checked the inside label: Yumi Kim. Kim Phan knew she had a talent to make it in the fashion biz when she started making clothes for her Barbie dolls at the age of seven. It all started with her mother’s old vintage shirts; Kim took them apart and sewn them back together adding trim. She moved to New York City and Kim acquired an opportunity in the music industry which gave her a chance to work with celebrities and trend setting fashion stylists.

In 2004 Kim returned to her first love of fashion and created her vintage inspired collection, YUMI KIM. Her pieces are based around feminine silhouettes, silky fabrics and bold colours and prints. Baby dolls, empire waists, blousons and flowy summer halter dresses. I’ll be sure to take her pieces with me on my next vacation this summer.

Sunny Shum, Your Industry Insider