Eunji Oh
Eunji Oh, with a Bachelor’s in Industrial Design followed by a Master’s in Accessories from the École des Arts Visuels de La Cambre. Her journey took a transformative turn as she delves into leather craftsmanship at the Arts et Métiers of Bruxelles, refining her skills and expertise. The accolades for her debut collection, "Overweight" speak volumes securing a finalist spot in the ITS Contest in Italy and The Festival Of Hyère 2024.
"Overweight is not just a collection, it’s a narrative that intricately weaves the relationship between the body and leather goods. It melds artisanal expertise with artistic concept, exploring the connection between body aesthetics and the pursuit of perfection. Born from my personal experiences, influenced by a dermatological condition and societal expectations, the collection invites individuals touched by my accessories to share their stories. They become symbols of confidence and reclamation of an image stolen by societal norms. Pockets and bags of excess become accessories to proudly showcase."
About me trough an interview by MAD Brussels
Can you introduce yourself, who is Eunji Oh?
“My name is Eunji, I am 27 years old. I first obtained a degree in Industrial Design. After that, I started studying at La Cambre where I finished my master's degree in Accessories 6 months ago. Currently, I am taking a 2-year course in leather goods at the Campus Arts et Métiers of the Institut Jeanne Toussaint.”
“After my studies at La Cambre in Accessories, I really wanted to delve into the world of leather, to refine my skills. Not that I only want to focus on this craft, I really want to have a career as a designer. But as a designer, specialized in leather, I think it's important to know and master the craft though. Parallel to my formation in leather goods, I am preparing for some competitions. I have been selected as a finalist for ITS Contest 2023 and the international festival of fashion, photography and accessories, Hyères Festival.”
You graduated from La Cambre accessories last year with your graduation project 'Overweight', what is the story behind your collection?
“The story behind my collection is a personal one. I think many designers take inspiration from their childhood or something they experienced. I was born and raised in a Korean family. And the vision we have on the female body is really different from the perspective of Europeans about the female body. During my childhood, I inherited many values that are contrary to the Western world's view of beauty and the body. I really felt that contrast between those two cultures. In addition, I had a lot of skin problems during my childhood that caused me to take a lot of medication. Because of that medication, my physique changed constantly. I was often swollen and then again very skinny.”
"I try to talk about these personal stories with my collection, stories that are recognizable to other people. Have you ever felt a little compressed in your favorite jeans and felt uncomfortable wearing it? Or ever bought a small size t-shirt only to lie to yourself that you are an M size instead of an L? That's what my collection is about. It's about my body, about being cramped in my clothes, about a changing body, the trends of wearing clothes very close to the body, not feeling comfortable in clothes ... This story is visually established in the aesthetics of the collection. I searched for images that represent the body 'imprisoned' in clothes, but also the body 'imprisoned' in society. For example, I squeezed my body with straps. Or I compared the body to a the Michelin guy, or a piece of meat.”
“It is a subject that speaks to people today, but it is certainly not my intention to talk about a heavy topic. The collection is still about my personal story. I consciously didn't make the message of my collection too heavy. I think it is important to include humour to lighten the subject a bit. Chunky names like 'The love handle bag' and 'Chubby Shoes' ensure that people can also laugh about my collection. The result is a positive, sometimes funny collection that still has a strong message behind it.”
Are you continuing to work on the collection?
“I have perfected the collection and refined my pitch. I have also elaborated some pieces to lend to competitions. In addition, I am already imagining a sequel for the 'overweight' collection. I sometimes fantasize about a 'boob series' or a 'feminine body series'. Maybe the aesthetics will be a bit different, but there will always be a sense of 'overweight' in the collections. That's what I find interesting about the story behind my collection. 'Overweight' can be so many things. It can refer to the body, to fat, to society... It's a project that I will expand in the future.”
Interview by Lore Detremerie