In the four years since its inception, Salut de Miel has grown to become a celebrity favourite (members of Girl Generation have been spotted wearing them). Besides launching on local online store 5:5, which stocks a range of K-fashion brands, last month, it’s also available at Tangs by Tangs Plaza and a stand-alone store in Singapore is in the works (expect it to open in the first quarter of 2017). We speak to Ko to discover more about the brand and its inspirations:
Her feel-good designs have pocket-friendly prices
“I want people to be happy when they wear our pieces ($69 to $165). Our accessories bridge fine and costume jewellery (so they are accessible). The price point is ideal for people in their mid-20s as well.”
The materials used are unconventional – but they work
“What I use changes depending on each collection’s concept. For example, I adapted the fabric used to make curtains (and incorporated it into my jewellery). We also created a marble pattern on polycarbonate, which is typically used to make tyres, to create unique designs.”
Colours are a big part of the brand’s USP.
“Many accessory brands use 14K yellow gold, but I use 18K and 22K yellow gold, which are a deeper, richer shade. Yellow is important to the brand as it evokes references to honey, which is what the brand is named for (“miel” is French for honey).”
A famous fashion icon is its latest inspiration
“I am inspired by who Coco Chanel was before she became popular: “Cocorico” (the French word for a rooster crowing), the nightclub singer.”
Her creativity doesn’t stop at jewellery.
“In Korea, we change our store concept every three months as the seasons change. People find that interesting and we are gaining more awareness (for this). Some have even come into the store and thought it was a wine bar.”
Its womenswear and bags are also coming to Singapore.
“I first came to Singapore to join the Audi Star Creation show in 2012 as a budding designer. I started out with accessories, but I want to slowly introduce clothes and bags (into the Singapore market). I intend to keep these collections small; for example, I only have three bag designs and five womenswear items.”
Shop Salut de Miel at www.fivefive.kr.
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