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    Welcome to Planet Yoon

    Kim Jones enters the orbit of Yoon Ahn for a conversation across time zones, covering couture houses, Alaskan survival shows and more for GREATEST 09.

    Interview: Kim Jones Photography: Hiroshi Manaka Styling: Masako Ogura Intro: Faran Krentcil Hair: Kazuhiro Naka Visual Effects: Guillaume Boucher 3D Artist: Jingxin Wang Lighting Director: Toya Kazuhide Photo Assistant: Ken Hanafusa Lighting Assistants: Naoya Maoka and Akio Morita Published: August 26, 2024
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    Born in Seoul, South Korea, Yoon Ahn relocated to the United States at a young age with a limited grasp of English. Her father’s position in the U.S. Army led to a nomadic childhood, dividing time between California and Hawaii before eventually finding a home in Seattle. Growing up in the grunge capital in the early ’90s, the surrounding music scene planted a seed of rebellion. “I admired people who were sonically and visually doing it for the culture,” says Ahn. “I was heavily into riot grrrl movements, including all the Sub Pop and post-punk bands like Sonic Youth and Fugazi.”

    Comic books, zines and fashion magazines sourced from her local library instilled an appreciation for the power of imagery. Like many kids at the time, escapism came courtesy of the internet. “It was traveling without traveling,” says Ahn. “When you’re a kid stuck in the suburbs with strict Asian parents and don’t have money to go anywhere, the internet becomes an outlet to learn, discover and connect to all types of spaces beyond your physical location.” The next real-world stop was art school in Boston, where she met her husband and collaborator, the Japanese rap artist and music producer Verbal. In 2003, the pair moved to Tokyo with ambitions to fulfill their creative destiny.

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    TOP: Talent’s Own T-Shirt / JEWELRY: AMBUSH Earrings and Necklace / ACCESSORIES: AMBUSH Hair Clip and Sunglasses   
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    OUTERWEAR: Balenciaga Hoodie / TOP: AMBUSH Bra / BOTTOM: JW Anderson Denim, AMBUSH Briefs / FOOTWEAR: AMBUSH Rave Boots ‘Black’ / JEWELRY: AMBUSH Bracelet / ACCESSORIES: AMBUSH Heart Mini Backpack    
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    TOP: Nike Bra / BOTTOM: Fax Copy Express Skirt / JEWELRY: AMBUSH Ring   
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    TOP: Courrèges Runway Breast Plate, Talent’s Own Tank Top / JEWELRY: Talent’s Own Pendant Necklace   
    Yoon 05jpg
    TOP: Courrèges Runway Breast Plate, Talent’s Own Tank Top / BOTTOM: JW Anderson Denim, AMBUSH Briefs / JEWELRY: Talent’s Own Pendant Necklace   

    It’s all about storytelling. You have to think about how everything’s going to play out in the long run.

    Yoon Ahn

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    OUTERWEAR: AMBUSH Leather Belted Blazer / TOP: AMBUSH Shirt / BOTTOM: AMBUSH Boxer Shorts / FOOTWEAR: UNDERCOVER Shoes ‘Black’ / ACCESSORIES: FUMIKA_UCHIDA Leg Warmers, Stylist’s Own Socks   

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