Bella Kim — BFA Fashion Design 2026

Collection

Bio

Born in South Korea and shaped by a life across shifting borders, Bella Kim is a New York-based designer redefining fashion through material reclamation. She synthesizes global sensibilities, weaving diverse cultural motifs into a singular, sophisticated aesthetic. By fusing historical remnants with experimental fabrication, she finds beauty within the decay. Her practice acts as a conduit between artisanal tradition and high-tech evolution, transforming neglected relics into wearable art for the contemporary.

ig: @bgktangerine / @belllakiim

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Image: *"Resurrected 1912: The New York Arrival"*

Image: newspaper of the New York Herald reporting on the Titanic incident

"Resurrection 1912: The New York Arrival"

Inspired by the Titanic, this collection fulfills the unfinished 1912 voyage to NYC. The collection utilizes 100% recycled fabrics, transforming scraps into intricate trims. Vintage clothing, discarded sails, linen tablecloths, and deadstock fabrics were repurposed then integrated into a pivotal silhouette. Through staining and crystallization, it captures "defiant beauty" within decay. Reimagining Edwardian silhouettes for today, the collection proves that the elegance of those lost souls has finally arrived.

I imagine these pieces worn by women who, like myself, have crossed borders to New York with hearts full of hope. These women were meant to arrive here from London in 1912, but their journey was frozen in time. As I conclude my final chapter at Parsons, I seek to fulfill their unfinished voyage and honor their spirits, celebrating every woman who continues to pursue a new beginning in this city.

Image: **look 1 - "The Captain"**
Materials (all deadstock repurposed)

Jacket: Wool exterior with metallic lace lining, gold strips at the sleeve end, self ruffle with black nylon fringe on collar
Skirt: Wool coating with tulle inner skirt, boning around hem, self ruffle with black nylon fringe along hems, gunmetal studs with vintage medal pins along ruffles

*jacket and skirt both have a corset closure
*styled with a wooden treasure chest bag

Image: inspirational silhouettes/details from the captain of the Titanic ship and distressing/exposing techniques

Image: **look 2 - "The Frost"**
Materials (all deadstock repurposed)

Cape: 3-tier cape, wool exterior painted with acrylic paint with tulle, lace, and organza layers in between tiers, lace and fur trim along hem, handmade studded organza flowers along neckline, wool self ruffles along back slit hem
Top: gold jacquard with cup boning
Skirt: 2-tier skirt, gold jacquard with lace trimming and an inner tulle layer underneath the first tier

*wool cape, adjustable hook and eyes in front
*cape entirely crystalized, then acrylic coated

Image: materiality of crystalization on wool, lace, organza, and velvet with stain inspired from the actual titanic artifacts/garments

Image: **look 3 - "The Sailor"**
Materials (all deadstock repurposed)

Jacket: Fabric from a vintage 1910s jacket, then painted with acrylic paint, scrap discarded leather pieces patchworked on top
Skirt: Discarded sail fabric from sail makers in california stenciled with letters from the Titanic, vintage lace tablecloth inner skirt, cotton petticoat

*sail skirt with adjustable hook and eyes as closure
*cushion and hat crystalized, then acrylic coated

Image: materiality of stenciling on discarded sail fabric from California using laser cut stencils and paint (stencils made from the unsent letters found in the ship)

Image: **look 4 - "The Explosion"**
Materials (all deadstock repurposed)

Jacket: Fabric from the vintage wool dress, tulle ruffle along hem, then crystalized, concealed hook and eye in front, lace corset bra
Skirt: Fabric from the vintage wool dress, peach and grey tulle inner skirt layers, stiff white tulle crinoline inner skirt

*wool jacket and skirt, crystalized then acrylic coated
*inner skirt elastic waistband, outer skirt corset lacing

Image: inspiration of tulle silhouettes from the 1900-10s with the idea of explosion

Image: **look 5 - "The First Class"**
Materials (all deadstock repurposed)

Jacket: Tweed exterior, silk inner lining, self fabric ruffles, Swarovski crystal buttons, self-covered fabric buttons, 4 heavy-duty wires in the collar, 6 heavy-duty wires in both sleeves
Skirt: Tweed exterior, silk, vintage lace tablecloth, organza inner skirt, cotton padded hip pillow, Swarovski crystal buttons, self fabric ruffles

*wire reshapeable for both collar and sleeve
*skirt closure: back invisible zipper

Image: exploring frills and lace to achieve the shipwreck rustic texture, dress silhouettes from the 1910s first class passengers

Image: Cat wearing the beige straw hat covered with metalic gold net

Willa wearing the crystalized wool hat with leather cords

Image: Willa holding the crystalized velvet-organza cushion corset-bag

Image: from the left: "The Captain", "The Frost", "The Sailor", "The Explosion", "The First Class"

Video: watch the full video of the "Resurrection" collection