In the ever-evolving world of luxury fashion, it’s rare to see a piece that not only captivates the eye but also carries a profound message. Korean designer Minbeom Kim, founder of Novkim, has done exactly that with the unveiling of his latest creation—the Camellia Hat. More than just a statement accessory, the hat is a poetic tribute to the victims of the Jeju 4.3 Incident, standing as a bold intersection of fashion, memory, and activism.
A Hat With a Soul: Inspired by the Camellia Flower
The Camellia Hat draws deep inspiration from the camellia flower, known in Korea for its quiet beauty and enduring strength. In Jeju, the camellia has become a symbol of remembrance and hope—a silent witness to a dark historical chapter that left thousands of Koreans dead during a brutal military crackdown between 1948 and 1954.
By choosing this delicate yet resilient flower as the focal point of his design, Kim offers a wearable reminder of collective grief and enduring hope, inviting people to carry the memory forward, not just in thought, but in form.
Minbeom Kim: Fashion as a Language of Healing
Kim, who studied fashion at the prestigious Istituto Marangoni in Milan, brings more than just technical finesse to the table. With a foundation rooted in European elegance and Italian couture principles, his work embodies a balance of craftsmanship and emotion.
“As a designer trained in Italy’s finest fashion tradition, I felt a strong responsibility to go beyond aesthetics and connect my work to the stories and spirit of my homeland,” Kim shared. “This hat reflects not only my technical expertise developed at Istituto Marangoni, but also my personal journey as a Korean deeply moved by the history of Jeju.”
The Camellia Hat becomes more than an accessory—it is an emotional artifact, charged with memory and shaped through artistry. It stands at the intersection of identity and design, form and narrative, mourning and resilience.
The Evolution of Novkim: From Avant-Garde to Accessible Meaning
Launched in 2016, Novkim began as a Jeju-based concept store, offering curated collections of experimental fashion. Today, the brand has evolved into a global luxury label, known for its artistic risk-taking and cultural nuance. Kim’s collections are defined by an emphasis on storytelling, drawing on both personal experience and historical consciousness.
With the release of the Camellia Hat, Novkim signals a shift toward a more inclusive and purpose-driven philosophy. Kim’s goal? To make emotionally resonant fashion available to more people, without compromising on craftsmanship.
“This is more than just an accessory,” he explains. “It’s a messenger of peace, democracy, and remembrance—created with refined craftsmanship and rooted in real purpose.”
Italian Precision, Korean Heart
Every Novkim piece is marked by Kim’s signature design approach—bold, experimental, yet rooted in traditional tailoring. His training at Istituto Marangoni instilled a reverence for technique, while his upbringing in Korea, particularly on Jeju Island, gave his work depth and voice.
The Camellia Hat is hand-crafted with luxurious materials and rare fabrics sourced globally. Yet it feels distinctly personal. It speaks to a generation searching for connection through clothing, who want fashion that reflects not only who they are, but what they stand for.
A New Kind of Luxury: Beauty With a Conscience
In a world where fashion often feels fleeting, Kim is creating work that lasts beyond the season. The Camellia Hat isn’t just a luxury item—it’s a conversation starter, a symbol of resistance, and an invitation to remember.
With global interest rising in sustainable, ethical, and culturally informed fashion, Kim’s design comes at the right moment. It taps into a growing desire for fashion that feels meaningful, that wears history on its sleeve, and that redefines luxury as something emotional and conscious.
Novkim’s Future: Fashion That Tells Stories
Minbeom Kim’s journey is far from over. As Novkim expands, both in reach and influence, its mission remains clear: to create artistic fashion that bridges cultures, honors memory, and sparks introspection.
Through pieces like the Camellia Hat, Kim is challenging the industry to look beyond trend forecasts and seasonal shifts, and instead ask—what can fashion remember? What can it heal? What can it change?
In Kim’s hands, fashion becomes not just something we wear, but something we carry—history, emotion, identity, and the hope for peace.
About Novkim
Founded in 2016 by Minbeom Kim, Novkim is a luxury fashion label that blends European elegance with Korean cultural depth. Trained at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Kim’s design language fuses emotional storytelling with refined craftsmanship. From its origins as a Jeju concept store to its current status as a global brand, Novkim has remained true to its purpose: creating fashion that transcends time, trend, and borders.
