About

HYO MA

Having grown up across continents, Hyo was destined to develop a sharp eye for global culture, an eye that informs her truly unique vision today. This young designer approaches each of her own couture creations with an innate awareness of local and international trends, seamlessly combined with the desires and tastes of each individual client.

With the forthcoming launch of her own London-based brand, Hyo brings a fresh and witty approach to time-honoured artisanal crafts and breathes new life into the traditions of couture. Fine workmanship meets a touch of tongue-in-cheek wit to create truly unique pieces.

Hyo’s career in design began in 2014, when she enrolled on the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Jewellery, Footwear & Fashion Accessories) at Central Saint Martins, graduating with a Distinction. Switching her focus from jewellery to textiles, she then undertook the BA(Hons) Textile Design course at Chelsea College of Arts, graduating with a First Class Honours.

Enamoured by both the jewellery and textile worlds, Hyo brought elements of the two together by studying traditional embroidery techniques. Enrolling in the prestigious Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, she dedicated her time to historical crafts, including Jacobean crewelwork, silk shading, canvaswork, canvas shading, stumpwork, goldwork, blackwork and applique. It is these time-honoured techniques that sit at the heart of Hyo’s work today.

In 2018 Hyo was shortlisted for the prestigious, international Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery in Textile Art and in 2019 she was one of three ‘Artist/Maker’ Award Nominees for UAL’s Creative Enterprise Awards.

In 2016, Hyo began a coveted role assisting couturiers Ralph & Russo, a house where perfection in craft reigns supreme. Whilst working as a part of the team, Hyo spent thousands of hours honing her embroidery skills, collaborating on some of the design house’s most spectacular creations. She fell in love with the immense effort and acute attention to detail involved in producing breathtaking pieces.

Every one of Hyo’s bespoke creations is the product of a close, personal collaboration with the client. From the framework to the final stitching, every detail is entirely unique to ensure a final product that is truly one-of-a-kind and - just like the memories they capture - no two designs will ever be the same.