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 every season.
After a cafeteria-tray ride down a snowy hill landed her a month-long stay in the hospital, Eugenia’s new found dislike for these institutions did not agree with her pre-med track at Dartmouth University. Following graduation 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, after a bad haircut, Eugenia created a feathered cloche to wear as a disguise. Boutiques in her downtown New York City neighborhood immediately took notice of the inventive design, & soon after, Barneys New York placed their 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.