Tchai Kim

Tchai Kim is the second brand launched by hanbok (traditional Korean dress) designer Kim Young-jin. Kim started out intending to tailor the hanbok for everyday wear, adapting the design to appeal more to people with contemporary lifestyles. But don’t let this fool you into thinking these are modified, watered-down versions of hanbok that you might see anywhere around Insadong. While her methods of adapting tradition may be flexible, Kim hasn’t let go of that definitively Korean aesthetic. The end result is a design that could easily catch the fancy of any lady from any generation. This latest achievement in hanbok design is a fitting addition to Kim’s already brilliant resume: she has been a supervisor for Louis Vuitton as well as a critically drooled-over actress. Her trademark Chullik one-piece dress is making waves in rumorsville: it’s a dress inspired by the outer garments once worn by military officials in the Chosun dynasty, worn layered with an overskirt—it manages to be modern, cheery, elegant and sophisticated all at once. This is an absolute must-wear for spring, or really any season. Put it on and you'll feel like a butterfly that’s flown straight out of a traditional painting!