Dries Van Noten’s appreciation of intellectual beauties is almost as prolific as his love of prints. While the designer typically fills his collections with mainstays like Sylvia van der Klooster, this season’s lineup was an appealing mix of fresh faces, among them newcomer Hyun Ji Shin, a radiant beauty from Seoul’s Gangnam District who has become one of the month’s busiest models. Though reality television fans may recognize Shin from her stint (and win) on Korea’s Next Top Model, she may never have made her way onto the small screen without a little help from her family. “My mom is the one who really encouraged me and submitted me to Korea’s Next Top Model,” says Shin. “I was very lucky to win my season and then get signed to IMG—I really didn’t know what a model was until my mom submitted me.”
In spite of her lack of fashion knowledge, Shin has proved herself adept at mastering the ins and outs of the modeling business. Taking the time to research the industry once she became a part of it, Shin honed her skills at Fashion Week in her hometown before traveling to Sydney, where she stayed with grandparents while working the Aussie market. Racking up work with international editions of W and Vogue prior to heading to the States for New York Fashion Week gave Shin a taste of all fashion had to offer. In the months since, she has developed an affinity for the catwalk, walking more than 20 shows in the span of a few weeks. “I like everything about my job so far, but I am really enjoying fashion month, as I love doing runway shows,” says Shin. “It’s my first time, and I’ve been really surprised that I’ve managed to walk for designers that I admire, like Dries Van Noten, Coach, DKNY, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Rodarte, and Public School.”
Though the list of labels she has walked for keeps on growing, Shin has her eye on a future beyond modeling. Taking college courses online while making her way through fashion month, she hopes she can one day channel her experiences into a venture of her own. “I don’t know what my company will be just yet,” says Shin, “but I’m studying business through a Korean university.” For the moment, though, she’s happy to revel in the myriad of firsts fashion has offered her—especially when they take her onto the catwalks she loves so dearly.
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