[UNSCENE MAGAZINE] Designer Profile: Marina Ten

By: Asanda Ndabisa

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Her name Marina is derived from the Latin word "Marinus", meaning the sea.

"The sea always attracts with his deepness, beautiful surface and huge potential", says Marina Ten, a Seoul-based fashion designer. "It feeds thousands of creatures and inspires millions of people". Having this name, she feels the need to live up to its meaning.

Marina sits in an Itaewon, hidden-away coffee shop. The beautiful designer dresses in a black, leather jacket and boots. She rises with a greeting and shares her insights and experiences on fashion – including her influence from Russian obsession with leather.

Marina is a Russian-raised, third-generation-Korean. Her natural affluence in choosing the right colors and her ability to fuse contemporary with traditional is inspired by her dual background and her Christianity.

This designer has known for a long time what her fate was, stemming from her childhood as a self-acclaimed, chief designer for her dolls. Her progression to this chosen path is no surprise.

On her Background:

She received an AAS in pattern making at a College of Business and Information in Russia, followed by heading the manufacturing process of an embroidery studio. She moved to Korea for an education opportunity at the prestigious Dongseo University, where she graduated top of her class in Fashion and English.

Marina didn't wait for any chances; instead she went and found opportunities whilst in school. She attended many fashion events and used the platform of competitions to showcase her talent.

On Inspiration for Designs, color and Photography.

Her abilities create a series of stunning colors so vivid and almost surreal. Marina's inspiration for garments comes from all things color collaboration. She uses color mixes and ethnicity to define her clothes. She uses her intuition and photography skills learned unexpectedly during a religious trip to Mongolia.

She strives to differentiate her collection, but uses the same originals, detailed and handmade with a touch of modern simplicity.

"My basic principle is using old design ideas to reinvent something new. I find balance between different things, unite what at a glance seems unlikely suitable", she says.

On her design Focus

Most good designers don't specialize until a viable time has passed, but it inevitably occurs. For that reason, she is still exploring her options as a designer, rather than excluding a certain market. Marina believes a fashion style and statement is based on identity. While trends tend to diffuse, she seeks to create original contemporary items which still provide a feeling of identity, quality and affordability.

When creating garments she uses simplicity and comfort ability as her grounding factor aiming for a clothing line providing consumer value.

On Fashion Work History

Marina has participated in several fashion events, locally and abroad, including Japan, Hong Kong's fashion week, and China's International Silk Fair.

She was also selected as one of the finalists in Arts of Fashion Competition in the United States, was awarded at the FUBU Creative Festival and was a finalist of Essay Competition by the Korean Embassy and LG company. This young designer has also created a name for herself locally by featuring on local media intermediaries.

Advice for aspiring artists.

"I think a fashion designer must be very excited about various things for inspiration, always be informed about what's happening in your surroundings and always be open to new things and challenges".

On Education and Passion

Marina says the fashion industry is very difficult. With its high, entry barriers you must always be willing to go the extra mile. Passion is leeway, but the work required takes time and dedication. She believes: do what you love, and everything else will fall in in its rightful place.

"I'm the kind of person who thinks practice and theory should go hand in hand. If I want to be a professional in what I do, I'd better go for it", Marina says.

She continues by saying it's important to gain as much practical experience as you possibly can – even whilst studying.

In order to benchmark your work against other new designers, get internships, spend time with lots of creative entities and they will come in handy. Above all: work, work, work.

There is no doubt Marina Ten will become a household name in Korea and on an international scale. We look forward to her journey, so watch out Vera Wang.

* Taken from "Unscene Magazine". If you have any comments, concerns or are looking to contribute an article, please e-mail: info@un-scenemag.com or contact the appropriate editor. Letters to the editor can also be sent to info@un-scenemag.com.