Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine

In Korean "Sinbi" means "mysterious". For designer Katherine Kim it refers to that which makes us curious. Meeting her in a Tim Horton's I was worried about distractions, but from the moment she arrived and unzipped the garment bag with two samples of her Fall line I was hooked. She brings intelligence to her designs and the current line is comprised of knits and wovens that work in harmony with each other. Born in Korea, Kim immigrated to Canada at the age of 13. From a very young age she has been "driven" to produce art. This continued throughout her teen years where she participated in projects such as Murals for the Millennium. A self confessed "fashion-a-holic", Fashion Design was a strong career choice that combined these two passions. The Sinbi collection reflects the skill of the designer who feels "to truly be good at fashion design, you must first understand textiles". Four years studying at OCAD where she earned a degree in Textile Design followed by a diploma from Helen Le Feaux in 2003 provided the raw materials. All it took was Kim's creative vision to bring Sinbi to life. After graduating, the line was marketed in Vancouver on a consignment basis but now it is available in stores across Canada and the U.S. As all work is created and sewn locally, Sinbi is truly "Made in B.C." Taking a cue from history, the construction and detail of garments from Victorian England are one of Kim's greatest inspirations - "Everything that can be done has been done" - and the Sinbi collection reflects this exquisitely. When starting on a new season she first thinks about what appeals to her sense of style, then the designs are created and finally fabrics are chosen to complete the vision. Serious consideration is given to the end cost to make sure it is right for her clientele. The Fall 2007 line is her largest collection yet with garments that range from the workplace to an evening out. It varies from her Fall 2006 line in that it is simpler in design, more feminine and includes many choices for eveningwear. While still full of her signature muted colors, she has added a textured print and a bright blue knit. Also new to her line is an elbow length cape in vivid red. Included this season are tops, skirts, capris, dresses, capes, a jacket and a coat that combine to create a complete wardrobe. Please check out Sinbi's line locally at Life of Riley or at her website www.sinbicollection.com