INTERVIEW : 2000 ARCHIVES

2000s Diary-like Aesthetics

25 April 2024
Photography. Jaehoon Lee (@leeejaehoon)
Edit. & Layout Design. Hayoung Koh (@vuffit)
Edit. Seorim Lee (@24rim2)
Interview. Sangmin Sim (@aaronsimson)

Y2K aesthetics serve as a wellspring for secondary creation and a source of inspiration for generating new imagery in this era. 2000 Archives, representing the most contemporary trends, boldly presents collections that combine a modern interpretation of vintage with Y2K aesthetics. Now, we unveil the interview with Director Hong Dae-eun, whose brand feels like a small gift for those infected with the millennium bug.

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8DIVISION (8D) : Hello. Before the interview, could you tell about Director Hong Dae-eun for the 8DIVISION audience?

Hong Dae-eun (H) : Hello, I'm Hong Dae-eun, a creative director. After graduating from Central Saint Martins (CSM) last year, I finally settled in Korea and am in the process of expanding my brand. Starting with this 8DIVISION POP-UP, I plan to showcase even more active engagement this year, so I ask for your continued interest.

8D : Could you briefly explain the process behind the birth of 2000 Archives? I'm curious if the experience at CSM directly contributed significantly to establishing the brand.

H : 2000 Archives is a women's clothing brand that originated from an online vintage shop. I believe that my experience mainly dealing with fashion imagery at CSM provided significant experiential assistance in establishing and creating the brand's image.

2024 Spring/Summer Lookbook ©2000 Archives

8D : When developing collections and diverse content, 2000 Archives showcases unique graphics and a distinctive European vintage mood. What primarily inspires you?

H : I regularly subscribe to fashion magazines and find a lot of inspiration in fashion photography. It seems that this influence is particularly evident in the abundance of prints and graphics in our clothing.

8D : I'm sure "2000 Archives" has made remarkable strides globally in recent years. It's particularly gaining attention in Japan and Europe. What aspects of the brand do you think appeal to them?

H : I get the feeling that our clothes are especially loved in Japan these days. The somewhat bold prints and designs that allow for mix-and-match styling seem to appeal to Japanese customers.

“I regularly subscribe to fashion magazines and find a lot of inspiration in fashion photography.”

2024 Spring/Summer Lookbook ©2000 Archives

8D : Is there a particular aspect you're insistent on as you expand the brand?

H : If there's one thing, it's the brand image. I believe it's the closest touchpoint customers have with 2000 Archives, so when it comes to portraying our campaign and lookbook stories through images each season, I never compromise.

8D : Could you introduce the 24SS collection If there is a particular item you have an attachment to in this collection, please introduce it.

H : It's the Angel Wing Scarf Top, so lovely in fit and name, and the Corset Hoodie Zip-up adorned with the empowering embroidery on the graphic.

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Corset Jersey Hoodie

8D : I heard that the iconic item of 2000 Archives, the Sporty Corp Boots in white, which received a lot of attention, will be unveiled at this popup. I'm curious about the development process of this item.

H : The Sporty Corp Boots is a collaborative project with shoe designer Choi Sung-wook. It originated from an attempt to create a boot version of our signature item, the Trackstar Heels. With the input of the shoe designer's expertise, we were able to greatly improve the comfort of the boots. From the selection of materials to the development of the last, each stage took about two months, allowing us to produce a high-quality design. You'll be able to experience the all-new white color for the first time at this popup. I highly recommend visiting and trying them on!

8D : I heard that the pre-order for the so-called Karina Glasses, That Glasses 01, which has been sold out since its release, and 02 will also be available at this popup. Is there a particular reason for choosing glasses as an item?

H : Since last year, I've been really wanting to buy glasses. After diligently searching for vintage glasses and brand glasses, I suddenly thought, "What if we also tried making glasses?" So, we decided to unveil two models of glasses designs that are close to basic yet infused with the identity of 2000 Archives. One is a chic and fashion-forward rimless glasses, and the other is a classic black horn-rimmed item that seems faithful to the basics yet looks beautiful when worn.

왼쪽부터 Sporty Corp Boots (Black, White), That Glasses 01, 02

8D : I'm also curious about the brand's inclination and direction that 2000 Archives aims for.

H : We feel that our brand has a very feminine inclination in its internal identity. The muse and inherent identity of 2000 Archives are women who are sensuous, confident, and assertive, not hesitating to reveal various facets of themselves. This identity manifests in wearing outfits suitable for a corporate lady one season and opting for a sporty style in another. However, the underlying identity remains unwaveringly autonomous and self-directed. We are interested in solidifying our identity as a women's clothing brand and plan to showcase various initiatives beyond simply selling clothes, such as collaborations with women working in other women's clothing brands, the fashion industry, or the art industry.

“The muse and inherent identity of 2000 Archives are women who are sensuous, confident, and assertive, not hesitating to reveal various facets of themselves.”

Grailz x 2000 Archives

8D : I recently came across the news about the collaboration collection with GRAILZ. Given the hectic days we're experiencing lately, do you have any plans for future collaborations?

H : The collaboration with GRAILZ was the one I had been most eagerly anticipating and preparing for, and it turned out to be a delightful collaboration. Additionally, we've been receiving various collaboration proposals from both domestic and international sources. We're currently pondering the direction that would showcase our brand most engagingly. We're planning to introduce another collaboration soon, so I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye out for it.

8DIVISION x 2000 Archives Pop-up Invitation

8D : If there's a goal for 2000 Archives in the remainder of 2024, what would it be?

H : In the remaining 2024, our goal for 2000 Archives is to meet and communicate with more customers directly. Starting with this year's 8DIVISION popup, we plan to organize events where many customers can experience our collections offline. Ultimately, we hope that customers who wear 2000 Archives feel truly happy and content, even if it's just for that day. Our goal for 2024 is to become a brand that leaves many joyful memories, seamlessly integrating into our customers' daily lives.

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