K-Pop Star Jessica Jung On Identity, Fashion, and Life After Girls' Generation
Two years ago, Jung separated from popular K-pop group Girls' Generation, which she had been a part of since their 2007 debut. After her departure, Jung has been forging a new public identity, separating Jessica Jung — the hands-on musician, entrepreneur, designer, and actress — from Jessica, former Girls' Generation member.
And for the 27-year-old entrepreneur, opening the U.S. flagship store of Blanc & Eclare, her fashion brand, in New York's SoHo neighborhood is part of that distinct identity. Jung this month also released her second solo album, "Wonderland."
"I'm doing what I love right now," Jung told NBC News by phone from Seoul. "I've been in the music industry as a singer for the last 10 years. Fashion has always been a passion of mine, so I'm just really happy that I can pursue both things."
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Blanc & Eclare isn't just a celebrity side project for Jung, who was born and raised in San Francisco and moved to Korea at the age of 11 to train for her music career.
She began the line designing sunglasses and grew it as incrementally as possible for a two-year-old brand that already boasts more than 60 physical locations worldwide. After adding a denim line, she expanded into outerwear, skincare, and ready-to-wear clothing, which launched just this year.
Jung described her products as "modern classic," accentuated with "fun details."
"It's something you can say is quite classic and basic, but what I like to do for my personal style is to layer basic items and make them look effortlessly fashionable," she said. "I like to keep it very clean and classic, with a little fun in there."
Jung is conscientious of her international fan base, noting that what may be popular in Hong Kong or Macau will be different from what's trendy in New York. At the same time, Jung maintains focus by staying true to her own instincts.
"My brand reflects my personal style," she said. "I think my inspiration comes from wanting to make clothes I want to wear and enjoy."
Opening a store in New York had "always been planned," Jung added.
"It was one of my dreams because SoHo is one of the most fashionable, trendy places in the world," she said. "I'm so happy that we finally opened up."
Jung calls the last two years a "learning process." In addition to her budding fashion empire, Jung, who has been performing for her entire adult life, took the opportunity to be involved in the production of her music as a solo artist
Her first album, "With Love, J," was released in May and was Jung's first professional foray into writing and producing her own songs. The album hit number one on Korea's Gaon Music Chart and entered Billboard's World and Heatseekers Albums charts.
"I wanted to find myself," Jung said. "I wanted to know what kind of sound I like and what suits my voice, and what my fans really like. It took me a long time to actually finish up the album."
Jessica Jung has been busy.
Two years ago, Jung separated from popular K-pop group Girls' Generation, which she had been a part of since their 2007 debut. After her departure, Jung has been forging a new public identity, separating Jessica Jung — the hands-on musician, entrepreneur, designer, and actress — from Jessica, former Girls' Generation member.
And for the 27-year-old entrepreneur, opening the U.S. flagship store of Blanc & Eclare, her fashion brand, in New York's SoHo neighborhood is part of that distinct identity. Jung this month also released her second solo album, "Wonderland."
"I'm doing what I love right now," Jung told NBC News by phone from Seoul. "I've been in the music industry as a singer for the last 10 years. Fashion has always been a passion of mine, so I'm just really happy that I can pursue both things."
K-pop singer Jessica Jung's fashion line, Blanc & Eclare, recently opened its flagship store in New York's SoHo. BLANC & ECLARE / BLANC & ECLARE
Blanc & Eclare isn't just a celebrity side project for Jung, who was born and raised in San Francisco and moved to Korea at the age of 11 to train for her music career.
She began the line designing sunglasses and grew it as incrementally as possible for a two-year-old brand that already boasts more than 60 physical locations worldwide. After adding a denim line, she expanded into outerwear, skincare, and ready-to-wear clothing, which launched just this year.
Jung described her products as "modern classic," accentuated with "fun details."
A photo posted by NBC News (@nbcnews)
"It's something you can say is quite classic and basic, but what I like to do for my personal style is to layer basic items and make them look effortlessly fashionable," she said. "I like to keep it very clean and classic, with a little fun in there."
Jung is conscientious of her international fan base, noting that what may be popular in Hong Kong or Macau will be different from what's trendy in New York. At the same time, Jung maintains focus by staying true to her own instincts.
"I'VE BEEN IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AS A SINGER FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS. FASHION HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PASSION OF MINE, SO I'M JUST REALLY HAPPY THAT I CAN PURSUE BOTH THINGS."
"My brand reflects my personal style," she said. "I think my inspiration comes from wanting to make clothes I want to wear and enjoy."
Opening a store in New York had "always been planned," Jung added.
"It was one of my dreams because SoHo is one of the most fashionable, trendy places in the world," she said. "I'm so happy that we finally opened up."
Jung calls the last two years a "learning process." In addition to her budding fashion empire, Jung, who has been performing for her entire adult life, took the opportunity to be involved in the production of her music as a solo artist.
Her first album, "With Love, J," was released in May and was Jung's first professional foray into writing and producing her own songs. The album hit number one on Korea's Gaon Music Chart and entered Billboard's World and Heatseekers Albums charts.
"I wanted to find myself," Jung said. "I wanted to know what kind of sound I like and what suits my voice, and what my fans really like. It took me a long time to actually finish up the album."
"Wonderland," her second release, is a continuation of Jung's self-discovery.
"It's really fun because I can participate in it. I write the lyrics, the melodies," Jung said. "It's just very different from before, but very interesting because now I can kind of tell where I am, what I like, what I sound like, genuinely."
Jung is also one of Korea's performers with the most international appeal. She appeared in a Chinese romantic comedy this summer and will also act in an upcoming Chinese biographical movie about former NBA player Stephon Marbury starring the basketball player as himself.
Jung attributes her multicultural upbringing for her ease in maneuvering languages and cultures.
"I think it definitely helped me to relate to fans on both sides of the world," Jung said. "Not all over the world, but it helped to understand who my fans are. I'm really grateful I can speak both languages and communicate with them and actually understand them."
But the breadth and the depth of her ambitions require a schedule and a support system that Jung is quick to acknowledge.
"I want to fit everything I love in my daily routine," she said. "Sometimes there aren't enough hours, but I have a really strong team, and I surround myself with good people, and they help me out a lot. I wouldn't be here without them."
An important figure in Jung's life is her sister, Krystal Jung, who has found her own success as a member of K-pop group f(x) and as an actress. "We can talk about anything, all of our hardships, and we can really, truly congratulate each other," Jung said. "I think we're just extremely lucky to have each other."
While Jung is finding international success in both retail and entertainment, she also downplays any pressure or difficulty that comes with it.
"I'm doing something that I really love," she said. "So I can't complain."
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Wedding cancelled due to trust issues, endless fights?
Liam Hemsworth reportedly visited his fiancée, Miley Cyrus, on the sets of "The Voice," to show his love and support. However, the singer refuses to discuss her fiancée and keeps every detail about their relationship under tight wraps.
A source from production team of "The Voice" said that the actor spends time at the craft services, as "The Wrecking Ball" singer finishes work, reported ET Online.
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The romance between the couple began in 2010 when they were working on "The Last Song" and just after two years of dating, they announced their engagement. However, one year later, the couple called off their engagement in 2013, citing personal reasons. But the two got back together earlier this year and got engaged again in October, 2016.
Sources close to the couple reveal that the two are now on a shaky ground again . They may also call off their wedding as they fight constantly and have severe trust issues, according to inTouch.
The publication also indicated that Hemsworth picks fight with Miley Cyrus for no reason which is causing her a lot of anxiety. He also, reportedly, gets very angry when she doesn't respond to his calls or texts. Cyrus, on the other hand, accuses her fiancé of flirting with her friends and also her older sister, Brandi.
Cyrus has allegedly been dropping hints that she doesn't want to be with Hemsworth anymore. She even famously said on "The Ellen Degeneres Show" that she doesn't like the ring that he gave to her because of her weird taste in jewelry. She has been spotted on numerous occasions without her engagement ring indicating that she may be prepared to call off her engagement again.
Sources close to Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus also claim that the two were quite young when they started dating and claim that they first need to grow up and figure about themselves before they engage in lifetime commitments.
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Queens University Tells Students Not to Dress Like Kim Kardashian at Graduation
In today’s “seriously?” news, students from Queens University in Belfast received sexist prom dresses 2016 code advice upon registering online for graduation. The attire suggestions came courtesy of a male graduate of the university, who the school considers an "expert" because he runs a private tailoring company. He started by cautioning: “Possibly the biggest mistake I see at graduation is girls treating the event like a night out,” before doling out even more deplorable advice.
The post-grad told female graduates: “Short skirts and cleavage on show are totally out of the question. Think Grace Kelly, not Kim Kardashian, at least until the day is done: You can always change before heading out.” Thanks for the tip?
Sexist as that statement may be in its own right, what makes the advice even worse is that male students were merely told to “stick to leather and dark shades” when it comes to their footwear. They weren't shamed or spoken down to whatsoever.
The text has since been removed from the university’s graduation website but that doesn’t stop us from continuing to ask: How was it even allowed to be published in the first place?
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Ceremony of a lifetime
Yuvraj Singh and Hazel Keech wedding kept us busy for more than a week. The ravishing bride graduation dresses uk in yellow for mehendi, wore a maroon lehenga for Anand Karaj and a red sari for the Hindu ceremony... a grandiose affair and this Brit-Maurisian and dapper cricketer totally rocked. A match made in heaven, celebrated in Chandigarh, Goa and Delhi!
Many times, couples wanting to enter wedlock come from different religions, so ceremonies are naturally multiplied. Here are few who chose to follow their heart and settled on a wedding or two!
Keep it simple
For Rohit and Smriti Syal, both agnostics, a small ceremony was enough to seal the lifelong deal. “We chose to go in for Anand Karaj, as it was short and simple; mother-in-law being a Sikh too,” says Smriti. As families got involved, the bride-to-be’s father expressed the desire for kanyadaan. “Mom-in-law suggested a temple and a gurdwara next to each other in Sector 25; so one after another ceremonies were performed.”
While the two weddings worked perfectly well for this couple, at times things are not that smooth like in the case of Sidharth Bahri and Puneet Bedi Bahri. The groom-to-be’s mother’s had her heart set on pheras while Anand Karaj was on the other party’s mind. However, Sidharth’s bua (paternal aunt), married in a Sikh family, solved the issue by reasoning that two weddings did not make sense. So, with the family that two weddings is rather too much and it doesn’t hurt to go for one kind of rituals. So Anand Karaj it was! “Tuitions leke shadi huyi meri,” laughs Siddharth, 10 years later.
That was easy
Choosing between a conservative white wedding and a big-fat Punjabi wedding was easy for Swapna Thomas, as she decided to change her last name to ‘Singla’. “We are Keralite Christians, we have pretty simple weddings.” However, as she flew in with some 35 of her clan to Chandigarh, the Singlas left no stone unturned to give them the taste of real Punjabi wedding. “Right from elaborate mehendi and pheras in the wee hours of the morning, the ring games, we had it all,” she recollects. So much so that the reception they had in Mumbai post the wedding was a total lacklustre affair compared to the gala show in Panchkula. “It looked like a birthday party in a five-star,” she says.
Mutual ties
The choice was clear for Imran Khan and his classmate-turned-girlfriend-turned-wife Anjana. “When I proposed her the first time, I was clear that I wanted it to be lifelong relation. Keen on my religion, she chose to become Mrs Khan in a nikah ceremony that she absolutely loved,” shares this practicing advocate.
Marriage of two minds, literally it was for Bengali Sharmita Bannerjee and Jat Sikh Tony Bhinder. This duo could have done with any kind of ceremony, but with the wedding, families from both sides wanted their own rituals. Going for both was one option, but this bride-to-be thought two weddings would be a circus! So, Anand Karaj followed. “My family was satisfied; so I became Sharmita Bannerjee Bhinder!
Double celebration
A Sikh boy marrying a Hindu girl - nothing extraordinary! But when Karan decided to marry Sakshi Pande, little did they realise that their wedding would epitomise two traditions. An amalgamation of faith, Sakshi happily did the lavaan with Karan in the gurdwara; Karan thereafter tied the mangalsutra around Sakshi’s neck in a true- blue Hindu wedding that followed. The proud parents, both from Army background, relatives and friends happily took part in both the ceremonies. As the couple confides, “Coming from an Army background, it was not difficult for us to convince our parents. However, as two individuals who come from different religious backgrounds, it was of utmost importance that we both understood and respect each other’s faith and choices. Therefore, we decided to get married as per both Sikh and Hindu rituals and it was definitely the best ‘first’ decision we have ever made together.”
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What does a typical day at Marie Claire look like for you?
No day is ever the same really. The first thing I do as I wake up is email or text my team their to-do lists for the day. If I am prepping for a shoot, I will always have an early start at suppliers, stores and showrooms. I like to get sourcing out of the way so that I have time to mentally prepare for the shoot, knowing what product I have. I prefer to spend afternoons on admin, email and coordinating the teams. If I am not shooting then I prefer my meetings in the morning. These meetings are usually me sitting down with brands, clients, photographers and my team.
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What were you doing before Marie Claire and how come on board as the Fashion & Beauty Director?
I have always been in magazines. After studying languages at WITS, I went on to intern and assist at one of my favorite publications, the now defunct SL Magazine. I then learned about weekly, mass market publishing at a celeb magazine, also working in the fashion and beauty departments. I then came to Marie Claire to work with the great Sharon Becker and worked my way up for 6 years to get to fashion and beauty director.
What would you consider to be the best part of the job?
The people I meet, the dynamic women I work with, constant creative stimulation and the constant challenge to do something new. And of course, being able to see the physical results of my hard work every month in the form of a beautiful book.
Are there many challenges you encounter in your line of work?
Of course, as with any kind of work. But the best kind of editor, in my opinion, can think on her feet, adapt plus find resources and solutions for any kind of problem.
How would you describe your personal style inside and outside of the office?
Even though I work in fashion, I tend to avoid obvious trends. I see how quickly these things come and go. Ironically, I am most myself in a pair of denims and a white tee, but it has to be the best pair of jeans and the perfect white tee. I am perhaps more expressive with my shoe choice. Simplicity is best, and I am totally against looking like you’ve tried too hard. With this in mind, I firmly believe that you have to look your best both inside and out of the office. What you wear says so much about who you are.
Who are some of the most memorable you’ve had the opportunity work with (models, designers, celebs, etc.)?
This year in particular has been a whirlwind and a great one where I have been able to meet the greats in design, like Michael Kors, Vera Wang, Carol Lim & Humberto Leon of Kenzo (my favourite). I have also worked with some of the best models: Aamito Lagum, Yemi Awoyemii, Naro Lokuruka, Nyamouch Girwath, Tricia Akello, Dinara Chetyrova, Carmen Xu, London Knight, Milan Dixon and face to watch Ansolet Roussouw from Bloemfontein. I’ve met Alek Wek, Maria Borges, Fernanda Ly and Lineisy Montero, SooJoo Park and Almina Estevao.
You must get to go on some pretty exciting locations when working, am I right?
Yes! From forests to the streets of Paris. We’ve done it all.
Do you have any favorite fashion trends or styles right now that you love to work with?
I love the ease into gender neutrality, androgynous silhouettes and oversized shapes.
What was it like working with the young girls from Fresh Faces?
It can only be described as fun. They’re pretty nervous to start off then they get into it. I love bringing out the confidence in young girls, and this was a celebration of all beauty in all forms and sizes.
What kind of message do you hope to convey to the women who read Marie Claire?
I hope to start a conversation about the the change in fashion and beauty – no longer is beauty dictated to women, nor can women be confined into a box when it comes to trends. I hope to send the message that all women are beautiful.
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Why the dream couple would break their engagement soon
Dream couple Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth is rumored to have called off their wedding. While fans are heartbroken to hear it, many might say this was inevitable because how much different they are from each other.
Daily Mail announced that according to OK! Magazine, constant feud between Miley and Liam has finally reached its peak and now they don't want to get married anymore.
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"Things are so bad between them that friends fear [the wedding] might not happen. She's accused him of flirting with waitresses, friends, even her older sister Brandi," stated an insider to OK!
The insider also added that Liam is becoming extremely frustrated because of Miley's habit of secretly texting people behind her fiancé's back. The couple has been constantly facing bumps in their relationship, with recent being their prenup arrangement.
Radar Online reported that according to an insider, the "Hunger Games" actor thinks that if they split up, it's only fair if he gets half of Miley's fortune, at least the half she will make during their marriage. Needless, Miley's lawyers are refused to even acknowledge this plea.
It was hinted previously that Liam's big brother Chris Hemsworth is was concerned about the future of the couple. The "Thor" actor was worried that Miley "is dropping all these hints that she's not marriage material, but [Liam]'s not catching on at all." And this will ultimately result in Liam's heart breaking.
Moreover, a source told Life and Style Magazine, that it's been difficult for Liam to keep up with Miley, while she thinks her life with him is a snoozefest. One of the things the duo clashes over frequently is Miley's habit of pot smoking. Miley has even accused Liam for making her hide her true self.
The "Wrecking Ball" hitmaker has even admitted in The Ellen DeGeneres show that the engagement ring her beau Liam Hemswoth gave her does not go with her aesthetics. And Miley Cyrus often replaces it with her gummy bear and unicorn ring.
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Trump dresses as himself for major donor’s Saturday night costume party
President-elect Donald Trump ventured out Saturday night to attend a “Heroes and Villains”-themed costume party evening dresses as … himself.
The Long Island gathering was hosted by the Mercer family, among Trump’s biggest donors, and attended by some of his top aides, including former campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, who appeared as Superwoman.
Billionaire hedge fund magnate Robert Mercer and his wife pumped millions into a pro-Trump super PAC run by their daughter, Rebekah Mercer, who emerged this year as a highly influential player in Trump’s orbit.
Trump arrived at the family’s estate shortly after 8:30 p.m., according to a pool report, wearing a dark suit, an overcoat and a checkered tie. Asked whom he was dressed as, Trump pointed at himself and mouthed “me.”
He ignored other questions shouted at him by reporters, including some about his phone conversation Friday with the president of Taiwan, a move that broke with decades of U.S. policy toward China.
Neither Trump’s wife nor other family members attended the annual party, according to an aide, but Stephen K. Bannon, his White House counsel, was among those on hand. Both Conway and Bannon previously worked for Mercer-funded enterprises, and Rebekah Mercer urged their hiring by Trump.
Staff and security at the event were reportedly evening dresses uk as Hells Angels and retro Salvation Army members. Entertainment was provided by a cover band that churned out hits by the likes of Cher, Lady Gaga and Tina Turner.
Trump was back home at Trump Tower in time to catch some of “Saturday Night Live” and gave a thumbs-down to actor Alec Baldwin's impersonation of him. The opening skit poked fun at the president-elect's constant use of Twitter.
“Just tried watching Saturday Night Live — unwatchable!” Trump wrote on Twitter. “Totally biased, not funny and the Baldwin impersonation just can't get any worse. Sad”
Trump was back on Twitter before 7 a.m. Sunday, unleashing tweets about his plans to punish U.S. businesses that move their operations overseas.
“There will be a tax on our soon to be strong border of 35% for these companies,” Trump vowed.
