Cover Designer Rejina Pyo, "“There’s always a part of me drawn to my upbringing and the values of kinship.” (Photo: courtesy of Rejina Pyo)
Designer Rejina Pyo, "“There’s always a part of me drawn to my upbringing and the values of kinship.” (Photo: courtesy of Rejina Pyo)
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Love, loss, motherhood, work, guilt, and self-acceptance—welcome to womanhood as curated by designer Rejina Pyo, celebrating the 10th anniversary of her eponymous label
In an industry—and a world—that’s often more about competition than collaboration, designer Rejina Pyo’s adoration for female mentorship and friendship is enduring. Having spent her formative years in Korea before relocating to London, the designer is deeply acquainted with the interplay of identity, heritage, and adaptation. “There’s always a part of me drawn to my upbringing and the values of kinship,” she tells Tatler, “especially since moving away.”
Pyo moved to London in 2008, graduated from Central Saint Martin in 2011, and launched her eponymous label in 2014. Throughout her career, Pyo has been celebrated not only for her artistry in fashion but also for her ability to foster meaningful connections between women in the creative world. And to celebrate the label’s 10th anniversary, she has decided to magnify the voices and themes of her central inspiration: womanhood.
Read more: Ladies Who Lead: Rejina Pyo on departing from the status quo and trusting your instinct
The fashion designer has curated a group show in London’s Soho Revue that brings the overlooked narratives of women to the forefront with the precision of a woman intimately familiar with peripheral treatment. “Love, loss, motherhood, work, guilt, and self-acceptance. This exhibition delves into the personal and universal narratives that shape women’s lives.” It's art by women, about women, for womanhood.
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The strength of sisterhood
Pyo has gathered a set of artists—Angela De La Cruz, Eileen Cooper, Chantal Joffe, to name a few—who do more than just dabble in the feminine experience. “I have been an admirer of these artists' work in some cases for many, many years,” Pyo admits. Their work is raw, real, and as nuanced as the women who created them. And while the subject matter might sound familiar—motherhood, loss, love—the way these women express it is anything but tired.
In particular, Pyo mentions celebrated sculptor Angela De La Cruz, who has long been a source of inspiration for Pyo. She recalls her early struggles as a Korean immigrant in London, “At the time, I felt a bit sorry for myself, how incredibly difficult I found it to communicate and be taken seriously without perfect English, and with zero connections in the UK… and then I read about Angela, her life, how she moved to London and how she dealt with adversity. I remember how much her positivity shone through. I tore out the article and stuck it up on my wall in front of my desk and looked at it every day.”
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Years later, Pyo would meet De La Cruz in person, cementing a connection that had been quietly growing in her mind for over a decade. “We spoke about our mothers and a desire for solitude,” Pyo says, reflecting a bond formed through their shared experiences as artists and women.
The unspoken way women bond
Pyo has managed to bring together an impressive group of female artists whose work, when displayed together, creates a conversation about the myriad ways women express themselves and their identities. Artists like Chantal Joffe, whose paintings question the intricacies of human connection, or Nengi Omuku, who explores psychological experiences and cultural memory, each contribute to a broader narrative about female expression.
“Each artist in the show has their own story to tell,” Pyo says. “It is something that unites us all—whatever the medium, we express ourselves and our lives through our art.”
In curating this exhibition, Pyo reflects on her belief in the power of female collaboration. “It’s incredibly important to share space with other women,” she says.
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Pyo’s ability to curate such deeply personal works while creating a cohesive narrative speaks to her understanding of the power of art to connect people across different stages of life. “My work in fashion has always been a response to what’s happening around me and in the world,” Pyo shares. “I wanted to bring together the voices and experiences of all these artists who I respect and admire so much.”
This sense of mutual respect and admiration is woven through the exhibition, creating an environment where each artist’s voice feels both unique and in harmony with the others. The result is an exhibition that makes you feel the stories in your gut, a testament to the female bonds that uplift, inspire, and empower.
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Mother’s Objects
With a mother who worked in fashion before turning her hand to interior design and art, Pyo’s world has always been filled with beauty, culture and design. “When I was thinking about the participating artists, hearing their stories and learning about what has inspired them, and in turn what has influenced me over the years, I was struck by how often I came back to my upbringing, my surroundings and my parents, my life in Korea.”
It’s only natural that a key element of As She Is is Pyo’s installation, Mother’s Objects, a deeply personal reflection on the bond between Pyo and her mother. “Perhaps it is because I moved away, and there is nothing really in London that resembles or reminds me of the culture and way of life in Seoul, so I am forever drawn to that part of my life, the 80s in particular, and the Confucian based society in Korea that is so much about kinship and looking out for one another. I think I long for that but not in a homesick way, more that I admire that generosity of spirit.”
The Mother’s Objects installation features objects, furniture, and art collected by her mother throughout her life in South Korea, many of which have been passed down through generations. “ I remember as a child complaining that the house was full of antiques, and why could we not have a modern, white house like everyone else. Thank god she didn’t listen to me! She is a true life force, and it is her quiet and unassuming confidence that has been such a great influence on my life,” Pyo says reflecting on the influence her mother has had on her as both a person and a designer.
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This reflection on motherhood extends beyond her personal experience and is echoed in the works of other artists in the exhibition. Eileen Cooper’s paintings, for example, often explore the themes of sexuality, motherhood, and death, creating rich, autobiographical images that speak to the emotional complexities of womanhood.
For Pyo, the Mother’s Objects installation is a tangible manifestation of the way heritage and legacy are passed down from mother to daughter. It adds another layer to the theme of female bonds, highlighting how traditions, values, and even artistic sensibilities are inherited, nurtured, and transformed through the generations.
“These objects represent that power,” Pyo says, “(My mother) has shown me the immense power that one can wield by being true to oneself.”
As She Is exhibition is open to the public from October 23 to November 2 at Soho Revue Gallery, London.
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Lynette loves travelling and dancing to Latin music almost as much as she enjoys period films and pastry desserts. She is constantly in search of the perfect nude lipstick and finds her best ideas through walks in nature.
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As the Editor-in-Chief of Tatler Malaysia, Lynette leads the content teams for print, digital and social media platforms of the brand. She has over 20 years experience in media, having been editorial director and editor-in-chief for lifestyle titles such as Cleo, ELLE, Esquire, Men’s Health, and Women’s Health.
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