Kang Seung-hyun
Kang Seung-hyun, commonly known as Hyoni Kang, is a South Korean model who won Ford's Model of the World title in 2008 at the age of 19. She is the first Asian model to win this award.
Career
Model
Kang officially debuted as a model as she opened the fall 3.1 Phillip Lim in New York City in February 2008. In September 2008, she opened the spring Trovata show and closed the spring Nanette Lepore show in New York. She also walked for 3.1 Phillip Lim, DKNY, Halston, and Michael Kors. In February 2009, Kang walked the fall 3.1 Phillip Lim, Badgley Mischka, Tory Burch, Roksanda Ilincic, and House of Holland shows in New York and London. In February 2010, Kang opened the fall Maria Cornejo and Osman Yousefzada shows in New York and London, and she also closed for Karen Walker and Amanda Wakeley.Not only did Kang walked on runways, she also had many photo shoots for world-famous magazines. In April 2008, Kang was featured on first major cover of the South Korean edition of Vogue. In July of the same year, she appeared in V editorial, styled in Gucci. A month later in August, Kang appeared in a Teen Vogue editorial. In July 2010, she appeared in Marie Claire editorial. And in March, September, and October 2011, Kang appeared in Vogue China.
In September 2014, Kang signed a contract with YG KPLUS.
CEO
Kang launched a vintage fashion brand called Reborn Process in December 2009. She started the business with Yoon Ae-ri, a stylist whom Kang got to know at Ford Modeling competition, and Lee Jun-yeop, a photographer and film maker. Instead of showcasing few collections before opening a boutique, Kang first opened her store and started working on the collection after Reborn Process became renowned. Kang redesigns and remakes new pieces with items thrifted mainly from Los Angeles, San Diego, and New York to fit today's style and taste. She wishes to make her collection "one of a kind" and wants Reborn Process to develop into a multi brand shop. Her boutique is located in SoHo, New York.Designer
Kang collaborated with a South Korean fashion brand called Love Cat. She designed bags under Hyoni-line while she traveled back and forth from New York to Seoul, South Korea. This limited edition bag, which was released in September 2011, was popular as a 'must have it item' because of its chic and romantic design as well as its practical aspect in which one can either adjust the straps to different lengths, use another chain strap that comes with the bag, or even take all the straps off and use the bag as a clutch.In April 2013, it was announced that Kang would collaborate with a South Korean fashion brand called Lapalette to create a special line of handbags. Bags designed by Kang were scheduled to be released in June 2013. Kang's new line was made available for purchase through Lapalette's website.