In Conversation with Sydney-Based Fashion Designer, Model & Creative, Joshua Lee on Home, Identity & Fragile Minds
Photo: Zane Qureshi
Could you tell me your name, age and a little about yourself?
My name is Josh, I’m 25 years old, and I am a designer, creative director and the founder of Fragile Minds.
How did you first get into fashion?
When I was younger, I always cared about the way I dressed, but I think what was pivotal to me in my journey in fashion was looking at how rappers dress. I believe Keith Ape was originally a big influence on me in seeing that Korean people, or just Asians, can be fresh, and that instigated me wanting to dress well.
How would you describe your style of fashion?
I draw from all the cultures that are relevant to me. So I would say it’s a representation of culture in all different aspects, whether that be my Korean heritage, my Australian heritage, or even the subcultures I was involved in, whether it be like being a little eshay, skating, whatever. I would say my style is an accumulation of all that mixed in together.
Have you always had dreams of being a creative? If not, what did your younger self want to be when you grew up?
I think when I was younger, in a shallow way, I just aspired to have more than I had. It wasn’t necessarily to be a designer, to be this, to be that. It was more so to have an easy way out of life.
Very generic question, but who or what inspires you?
Like I said before, a big influence on me is the culture that I live in. I try to be observant of all the things around me. I get influenced by my past a lot, looking at the way I grew up, and learning about things I didn’t know. Overall, I think my main influence comes from Sydney because that’s where I live and what I see every day.
You spoke a bit about Korea before. Were you born here in Australia or somewhere else?
I was born here but I grew up in Korea. So I was in Korea till I was seven and then I moved to Sydney.
What elements do you take from your culture and heritage?
The most influential thing I’ve got from Korean culture would be my use of colours and use of fit in a way. I feel most people would think my baggy influence stems from skating and hip-hop, but I think for me, it came from looking at Korean streetwear. They tend to dramatise the fit of things, and that made me want to replicate that.
What are your thoughts on the Sydney creative scene?
In terms of the Sydney creative scene, I think there’s a lot of talent and opportunity for people to do amazing things, but I guess inherent in being such a secluded country. I feel like not just Sydney but Australia’s influences are super limited. People don’t venture out too much, and I don’t think that’s on the people, but more so just the culture being so separated from the rest of the world. Overall, I think there is so much talent and so many people doing creative things, but I don’t think there’s much incentive in Australia to push beyond that.
Would you say your family and friends have supported your aspirations in pursuing a creative career?
My friends! I guess in terms of family, there hasn’t been much of a presence. But with my newfound relationship with my dad, I know he’s very supportive of me, and he wants to see me win.
Now you’ve got a fashion brand entitled Fragile Minds. How did you come up with that name and what does it mean?
Honestly, it came from nothing. I was at a train station and I saw a fragile sign and the name just clicked with me. I think over time, I have given the brand name meaning, but ironically, the meaning has always stayed the same. What Fragile Minds represents is the in-betweeners, the misfits, the people who don’t necessarily fit in. Through the clothing, you may see the influence is somewhat a mixture of luxury and street, and I feel like with the way I've lived my life, I have seen both ends of the spectrum, and I haven’t felt like I fit into either. So, pretty much through Fragile Minds, what I want to create is a concept for a world where people like me belong and are the main characters.
You seem to pay attention to every little detail, from your quality to packaging and advertising. Why do you think it’s so important for brands to do this and be authentic?
The power of branding! I think there is a lot of power within branding, and I don’t think many people are trying to promote a positive image or positive lifestyle in the brand they build. In a lot of brands, small and big, I think the basis of what they’re trying to build is exclusivity. I understand in a sense that it builds this want, and it builds hype around a brand, but in the end, I think the message you are communicating is really important. I use Playboi Carti as an example - Everyone loves him as an artist, but he is a terrible person, and that is a lot of the industry. Everyone is promoting negativity in a way, and it’s not because they are negative people, but more so to be cool. And when you look at the original meaning of what cool is, it’s to not care. Overall, when it comes to authenticity, I don’t think it’s just about being authentic but also about promoting something positive.
Now you also model as well. How did you get into that?
I used to work at a retail store just down the road and it was just a bunch of creatives working there and one of them, she made clothes as well and she wanted to photograph me in them. I just modelled for her and through that, I kinda started modelling. I wouldn’t consider myself a professional model or anything though, I just do modelling work every couple of months. It comes and goes but that’s something I’ve been very lucky to do.
What’s your favourite song or artist right now?
I listen to a lot of Aus-Rap. I like to be tapped into what’s happening locally. I’m a big fan of Miko Mal. Also, Xmunashe, he's one of my friends, and he’s really good. I guess internationally, Laroi hits the spot for me because he was heaps close to my friend Saik, so whenever I listen it reminds me of him.
What is your wildest dream as a creative?
I think my wildest dream as a creative, is to be able to create freely and overall to have a mass positive influence on the industry.
Now you’ve got “All In” tattooed on your face. Does that have a meaning behind it?
All In. Yeah, it did. - Growing up, the one thing I always consistently did was give up. I was always “All In,” but it was something that I always pulled back on eventually. Whether it was skating, fighting, any sport or anything that I did, I would always end up giving up and not trying as much at something. So when I started doing this, it was the one thing that I felt I would do for the rest of my life. I just wanted to remind myself and put some more pressure on that in a way. Make sure I have to do this and remind myself that I have to go “All In” every day.
Now this magazine is titled “Homebody”. What makes you feel most at home?
Being at home, haha. Just making clothing, doing this and being able to create. That’s what makes me feel at home.
Do you have any memorable childhood or adolescent memories of something that feels like home to you?
Honest, ly not really. Growing up, I felt like I didn’t have a stable home. That’s why I say home as an answer because I feel like when I moved out, that was the first house that felt like home. I think it’s just like having accountability and being able to do what I want. That’s what makes me feel at home.
What dish or food reminds you of home?
Spam and Rice.
What’s your all-time favourite film?
(500) Days of Summer, maybe?
What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career similar to yours?
“I’D SAY IT’S A GAME OF REFINEMENT. I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE PROLIFIC, RATHER THAN OVERPERFECT. GETTING STUCK IN PERFECTION GETS YOU STUCK ON IDEAS. YOU CAN REFINE AND PERFECT IDEAS, BUT YOU’RE ONLY LIMITED TO THE IDEAS YOU’RE WORKING WITH. ONE BIG LESSON I’VE LEARNT IS TO FIND WAYS TO OPTIMISE OUTPUT, BUT ALSO REACH A CERTAIN STANDARD. AND I THINK THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE FUNDAMENTALS TO START WITH AND REFINE FROM THERE. BUT YOU CAN’T REFINE IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE FUNDAMENTALS LIKE KNOWING WHAT YOUR BRAND IS, KNOWING WHAT YOU’RE TRYING TO REPRESENT AND KNOWING WHO YOU’RE TRYING TO PRESENT THAT TO. ”
You sew almost all of your pieces. How did you get into sewing and making clothing from scratch?
All of this is rooted in working with what I had. A lot of people label it as being “ethical” or “sustainable”, which I guess it is. But that isn’t the reason why I chose to make things from scratch. A big ethos of my brand is being able to work with what you have, because it’s the whole idea of presenting something properly, but being surprised by the fact that it’s made by one or two people in a little apartment. I’m a big believer in being able to do whatever you want, so I want to be able to represent that literally through what I do.
Do you have a favourite piece you’ve made through Fragile Minds?
It’s always the next piece. I get bored with everything I make pretty quickly.
Where does Joshua Lee hope to be in five years?
Overall in five years, I hope to be able to be doing all of this. I want to be able to join the fashion circuit at some point within the next five years. I want to be able to expand internationally so I can have more of an impact on the Australian industry.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?
I think Asspizza. I think maybe our clothing doesn’t align so much now but I think in terms of ethos and philosophy behind why we do this, I think there’s a strong alignment there. I respect Asspizza a lot, he’s someone I get a lot of influence from.
What can people expect to see from you in the coming months?
Refinement. Just working on creating a better version of what I'm doing now.
Where can people find Joshua Lee?
At my house. Or on the internet @K0reanjesus
