With an innovative approach to luxury, Eugenia Kim marries clean, classic shapes with fresh, feminine modernity and a playful sense of wit. Bold colors, unexpected trims, and high-quality materials are the signature elements that define the collection each season.
After a cafeteria tray ride down a snowy hill landed her a month-long stay in the hospital, Eugenia’s newfound dislike for these institutions clashed with her pre-med track at Dartmouth University. After graduating in 1996, Eugenia moved to New York to explore a different career path. She took a position at Allure magazine, while simultaneously taking a millinery class at Parsons School of Design.
In 1998, following a bad haircut, Eugenia crafted a feathered cloche to wear as a disguise. Boutiques in her downtown New York City neighborhood quickly took notice of the inventive design, & soon after, Barneys New York placed its first order. As a result, the Eugenia Kim brand was born.
The brand quickly grew in popularity, and Eugenia soon learned that she could not limit production to her small East Village three-roommate loft. She opened her first retail boutique, where she designed & sold hats in the storefront by day, and slept in a small room in the back at night.