Rococo In Materiality

Collection III by Jihyun Kim

The Rococo In Materiality collection, designed by Jihyun Kim, takes inspiration from the Rococo movement and Late Baroque. It embraces the theatricality and indulgent details of this period while integrating them with S’MM’s materiality perspective. The collection showcases a unique vision of minimalism, with a melange of contrasting textures and black and white colors.

The silhouettes in the collection are oversized and rounded, with ruffle details that denote the Rococo style and emphasize a theatrical feeling. Standout pieces include an oversized puff-sleeved neoprene dress and top, as well as a ruffled dress that seamlessly integrates the Rococo movement with materiality. Straight pants paired with a tinsel knit top and a hoodie sweatshirt with a plasticky skirt showcase a new vision of ornamentation and a modern minimal Rococo style.

The realization of the designs involves the use of various materials such as stretching wool, tinsel knit, heavy blended cotton, polyester, plastic vinyl, neoprene, and wool blended knit. The collection features 11 unique looks, each showcasing the designer's meticulous attention to detail and commitment to craftsmanship.

The main interaction with the Rococo In Materiality collection is through wearing the garments. Customers can style the S’MM clothing in their own unique way, expressing their individuality and embracing the contemporary vision of Rococo style.

The collection was developed over a period of several months, starting in November 2017 in New York and finishing in February 2018. It was then presented in New York in February 2019, where it garnered attention for its innovative design and unique interpretation of the Rococo movement.

Jihyun Kim's research for the collection was rooted in the study of the history of costume, particularly the Rococo period. The designer sought to incorporate the rich history of Rococo costume with contemporary art in a minimalistic way. The collection is informed by extensive research, including the study of historic sources of costume, painting, critical theory, and contemporary art. S’MM aims to create a new art form of fashion, telling a story of contemporary art through its designs.

One of the challenges faced during the design process was ensuring that the clothing remained wearable and sellable. Jihyun Kim understood the importance of customer reaction and the need for the collection to resonate with the target audience in order for the brand to thrive.

The Rococo In Materiality collection, rendered in black and white, showcases a minimalistic vision through a melange of contrasting textures and colors. The oversized silhouettes and ruffle details pay homage to the Rococo style while offering a contemporary interpretation. Jihyun Kim's meticulous attention to detail and innovative design approach make this collection a standout in the world of fashion.

This Design was awarded Bronze in the A' Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design Award in 2019. The Bronze A' Design Award is bestowed upon outstanding and creatively ingenious designs that authenticate experience and resourcefulness. Esteemed for incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology, they exhibit strong technical and creative skills and contribute to quality of life improvements, making the world a better place.