Kiim'studio

A fabric lifestyle brand launched in 2025, originating from the manufacturing base of Hanbitchae in Daegu, which has been producing bedding since 1988. The entire process, from fabric quilting to sewing and production, is handled in-house by skilled artisans, with the thickness of the batting and stitch spacing adjusted according to the product. The brand is expanding the applications of quilting, focusing on everyday fabric products such as bags, pouches, and bedding. Pursuing nature-conscious materials and durable designs, the brand is expanding beyond Korea into the Japanese market through pop-ups and online stores. In 2026, the brand participated in the Tsutaya Home Appliances pop-up in Tokyo, introducing Korean quilting as contemporary fabric products.

Q. What led you to start Kiim Studio based on your father's factory, 'Hanbitchae,' where he has been making bedding since 1988?

From a young age, I grew up in my parents' workshop, surrounded by quilted fabric and the ceaseless sounds of sewing. Quilting was such a familiar material to me that I used to go to the factory carried on my mother's back. The quilting that Hanbitchae has been producing since 1988 is not only a material for bedding that gently envelops the human body but also a skill my parents have honed throughout their lives. As time passed, I felt it was a shame that this wonderful technique was confined only to the bedroom. I also wanted to change the perception that quilting is merely an old-fashioned material used for Hanbok or quilts. Kiim Studio began with the question, "What if we turned this material, which my parents have crafted their entire lives, into everyday items?" I wanted to create products that naturally blend into modern life while preserving the softness and warmth of quilting.

This material that my parents have been creating all their lives

"What if we made it into an item that people carry around every day?"

Kiim Studio started with a question.

Q. What did you pay the most attention to during the process of transferring the quilting used for blankets to bags?

The requirements for duvets and bags were quite different. Since duvets cover a flat, wide surface, being soft and lightweight is crucial, whereas bags must withstand the weight of belongings while maintaining their shape. Initially, simply applying the flexibility of duvet quilting resulted in the shape collapsing or the finished product differing from the design I had envisioned. To preserve the soft volume while ensuring durability and form, I tested the thickness of the stuffing and the stitch spacing multiple times. In terms of design, I took care to ensure the quilting did not appear overly antique. I preserved the characteristic thick and neat texture of quilting while applying a modern silhouette and color. By leveraging the material's advantages—being lightweight, soft, and washable—I aimed to create a bag that is comfortable for everyday use.

Q. You are working with artisans from Daegu. How do the region's sewing and manufacturing base technologies influence the craftsmanship of Kiim Studio?

For Kiim Studio, Daegu is more than just a production site; it is the root where we can research the material known as Nubi. We work closely with artisans who have long crafted Nubi and bedding at our own factory, collaborating on every step from planning to processing, sewing, and production. Unlike the method of sending work orders to external factories, we can physically touch and adjust the fabric thickness, stitch spacing, amount of filling, and even the texture changes after washing. Because planning and production take place in one location, we can immediately create prototypes to test specific parts of a bag, such as making the fabric softer or shaping a particular section. Through this repetitive process, we are continuously discovering the optimal Nubi form for each product.

Q. I am curious why you launched the brand in the Japanese market before the domestic market. Were there any new discoveries you made from the reactions of local consumers?

I believed that Japan is a market with a deep understanding of traditional fabric and material culture, where consumers pay close attention to the quality of materials and stitching, as well as the actual user experience. I saw potential in other markets if the materials and craftsmanship of Nubi were recognized by Japanese consumers. Hanbitchae had prior experience trading with Japan, and I also harbored a desire to eventually take on this challenge under our own brand name. Unlike in Korea, there were more local customers encountering Nubi for the first time than I expected. However, they responded positively to the light and soft texture, with some even describing it as a "product that brings peace of mind." Customers who purchased at the first pop-up even returned for the second, and after launching our website in March, the repurchase rate reached 12.1%. It was intriguing to see that Nubi, which was familiar to me, could be perceived as a new material in other regions.

Quilting is a labor-intensive material.

If human eyes and hands are not constantly in contact, small errors are likely to occur, but

If made properly, it is sturdy, soft, and can be used for a long time.

Q. What do you think is the most strongly reflected regional characteristic in the brand?

It is the 'quiet persistence' of Daegu's textile artisans. Quilting is a labor-intensive material. Small errors are prone to occur if it is not constantly touched by human eyes and hands, but when made properly, it is sturdy, soft, and durable. Compared to when I was young, many quilting factories have disappeared, but there are still artisans in Daegu who continue this work to this day. It was because of them that Kiim Studio was able to start. I inherited from them the attitude of insisting on high-quality materials even for the inner lining that is not easily visible, and never overlooking small errors in the countless stitches. I believe that the temperament of the people of Daegu—blunt yet certain about what they create—remains in both the quilting material and the craftsmanship of Kiim Studio.

Q. What kind of brand does Kiim Studio consider a 'good local brand'?

Rather than simply promoting the region's name, I believe a good local brand is one that transforms the skills a place has long excelled at into products that people today want to buy and use. In Japan, there are many shops and brands that have existed for hundreds of years. I believe that this longevity was possible because the next generation recognized the value of these long-standing brands and became loyal customers. I don't think the sewing skills of Daegu's artisans need to be limited to just bedding. Based on those skills, we aim to create items that can be naturally used in Seoul or Tokyo, allowing a new generation to rediscover their value. That is the kind of image we envision for a good local brand.

Q. In this <Edit Debt: Neo Local>, you are showcasing the Kumo Crossbody Bag and the Nubi Pad together. What is the reason for including these two products in this selection?

This is because these products showcase both the roots and the present of Kiim Studio. The quilted pad demonstrates the bedding manufacturing techniques that Han Bit-chae has maintained for a long time, while the Kumo crossbody bag extends those skills into modern household goods. Both products are completed in Daegu, undergoing the entire process from quilting the fabric to sewing and final quality inspection. Instead of using pre-made ready-made quilted fabric, we maintain a method of personally quilting the fabric and continuously testing it to suit each product. We wanted to demonstrate in one place how the same quilting technique is applied to two different items: bedding and bags.

Starting with bags and bedding

Expanding the scope of application to include fashion and interior objects

Carrying on the skills of Daegu's artisans is the direction we are pursuing.

Q. When designing the <Edit Debt: Neo Local> pop-up space, what senses did you hope visitors would take away?

We hope you remember not only the visual appeal but also the "pleasant softness" of Nubi felt through your fingertips. We invite you to pause in the bustling city center, touch the carefully quilted fabrics yourself, and experience the cozy sensation that Nubi possesses. Moving forward, we aim to find new roles for Nubi in our daily lives, rather than limiting it to antique materials or fabrics for bedding. Our vision is to carry on the skills of Daegu's artisans by expanding its scope of application from bags and bedding to fashion and interior objects.

Maker's Pick

Kumo Crossbody Bag

This is the flagship product of Kiim Studio, extending the quilting technique traditionally used in bedding to everyday bags. Using fabric directly quilted at their in-house factory in Daegu, the product is perfected through meticulous testing and adjustments to the thickness and stitch spacing. While preserving the characteristic lightness and soft volume of quilting, the design features a silhouette that naturally complements various outfits. It perfectly illustrates Kiim Studio's direction of adding a new use to a region's ancient manufacturing technology by transferring the quilting that has long enveloped the body to everyday shoulder-worn items.

COMING SOON!

Kiim Studio this coming September Meet us in person at the pop-up!

September 17-30, 2026, The Hyundai Seoul B1 Event Hall

fin.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗲 Kiim's studio

Saeeum Kim

Edeit Seulgi Lee