ELITE INTERVIEW SERIES : JI HYE PARK
INTERVIEW BY TRECEY CUNNINGHAM
Debuting as a top 10 newcomer for s/s 2013 and following that up with an equally impressive f/w 2013 show season, Ji Hye Park is a bona fide runway star with editorials and campaigns to match. Ji Hye sat down to answer a couple of questions with us here at Elite to give us a little insight into her world.
1. Where are you from and how were you discovered?
I was born in a smaller city in Korea called Dae-Jeon. I wanted to become a model so I left for Seoul (capital city of Korea) and walked into a model agency. After going to model academy for a couple years I began working as a professional model in Korea. Actually, my story isn’t that special, but at the time it was a big challenge for me to have the courage to leave my family and friends in my hometown to pursue my dream.
2. How did your parents feel about you moving to Seoul and pursing a modeling career?
They were a bit apprehensive at first, but they were and still are supportive. I think they are a bit surprised at how far it has taken me, they are my biggest fans!
3. You are often featured on style blogs, how would you describe your street style and which designers/brands are you into at the moment?
My style is easy-chic and casual, mix-matched with modern and vintage. But I don’t like to limit myself to just one style. Sometimes I like feminine, at other times boyish, chic or vintage. Alexander Wang and Isabel Marant have always been favorites of mine. I’m finding myself wearing a lot of Rag & Bone lately too.
4. What is your favorite part of being a Model? Would you change anything if you could?
I love that I get to travel around the world! Long flights can be exhausting but I don’t mind as much. I am happy with modeling and don’t have anything I’d really want to change right now. I still have so much to see and experience!
5. What has been your favorite moment so far?
My first fashion week was amazing. I arrived in New York just a few days before the shows began and the whole experience started so fast and was so fun! I did around 30 shows that season, it’s an experience I will never forget.