Style Profile: Meet Aleka Kim of bulthaup

Born in New York City and raised in Seoul, Korea, Aleka Kim brings a global perspective to her refined design palette. Kim is a unique talent with a wide range of experience in the contemporary art, architecture, furniture and fashion industries, holding degrees from Cornell University and Fashion Institute of Technology. From curating art shows in Venice, Italy and the Netherlands, Kim went on to curate a calligraphy show for the Queen of Jordan in Amman, before joining the design team at New York fashion house Donna Karan.

Kim focuses her versatile resume with a minimalist aesthetic, a trait she shares with bulthaup, the luxury kitchen brand she now represents in the San Diego market. In 2008, Kim helped bulthaup open a showroom in downtown San Diego and has since added her own spice to the scene with the launch of The Kitchery at bulthaup, a pop-up shop with attitude now growing permanent roots.

Get to know Aleka Kim in this week’s San Diego Style Profile.

Q: You have such a unique background. Give us an overview of your experience in art and design.

A: I was born in New York City and raised between New York and Seoul. I majored in painting at Cornell University. I was handpicked by the department chair of art history to remain on campus after graduation to assist him with his curatorial work. The job exposed me to the world of contemporary art, and I had the pleasure of working on cutting edge exhibitions in places such as New York, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Venice, Italy and Amman, Jordan. After a few years in the curatorial position, I went back to school to study design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and worked as a designer for Donna Karan for a short while, but I soon realized I needed to branch out on my own.

Life has a funny way of showing you the path sometimes. While I was preparing to launch my new handbag line, I worked at a European furniture showroom and freelanced for an art dealer to pay my bills. It was during this period that I realized that I had talent in space planning and high end sales. I began to provide design services to clients, and one of my residential projects ended up winning an AIA award. I was featured in various publications and two HDTV shows for my work.

Q: What brought you to San Diego?

A: In 2007, I finally wrapped up a big residential project that took more than three years to complete and was ready to take on a new project. I was interested in the model of design showrooms, particularly in the kitchen arena, and I had been a fan of bulthaup for a while and knew some key people from bulthaup’s US corporate office. bulthaup wanted to position me as a retail partner in San Diego, and after a few trips up and down the coastline, well, let’s just say I could not refuse.

Q: For those who don’t know, share some insight on the bulthaup and Kitchery brand concepts.

A: bulthaup is the most renown luxury kitchen brand in the world. Their headquarters and factory is located in Aich, Germany, and the family-owned company has been in business since 1949. Now there are more than 500 bulthaup showrooms around the world providing design services pertaining to bulthaup kitchens and living spaces. Innovation and precision are the strong suits of bulthaup along with its apparent Bauhaus design sensibility. bulthaup San Diego opened its doors in 2008 in Downtown San Diego and I have been personally involved in each and every project.

The Kitchery started as a pop up concept to provide gift worthy items for the kitchen and home during the holiday season. I wanted to test out the market for modern kitchen wares. The response has been tremendous, and we are now preparing to launch The Kitchery as a permanent addition to the bulthaup showroom.

Q: How do both operations represent who you are, as a designer and artist?

A: I have always been a minimalist. In my paintings and in my designs, I am always seeking perfection in precise selection of materials and proportions. bulthaup’s Bauhaus approach in design is very much in line with my personal orientation. I tap into my more playful, artistic side with The Kitchery. We are always seeking functional items with artistic twists. A potato masher can be in the shape of a ski pole as long as it makes sense functionally. Why not? A sense of humor and a bit of artistry can turn an everyday object from mundane to inspirational.

Q: What products and manufacturers that you carry are hot for spring in San Diego?

A: I would say more colorful objects that involve entertaining. From artisan linen placemats and napkins to picnic sets, bamboo salad bowls and melamine serving trays. We carry merchandise from hard to find manufactures from around the world. Not many brands we carry are big recognizable names even though we do carry Alessi, Nespresso and iittala. I am always traveling in search for unique designs.

Q: What new projects do you have coming up this year?

A: We are planning to re-launch The Kitchery at bulthaup this spring by hosting a fabulous opening event. We are also in preparations to launch cooking and dining events at bulthaup.

Q: Is your fashion sense inspired by your design aesthetic?

A: Being a New Yorker with minimalistic aesthetic, I gravitate toward black and grayscale in fashion. I do believe in accessorizing however. I can turn a very plain black number into something truly original. Accessories are a great way to express your personality.

Q: Best fashion advice you’ve ever received?

A: When you travel, stick to a single color scheme. Mine is usually black or sometimes brown/neutral. This way, you don’t have to pack 12 pairs of shoes and handbags!

Q: From head to toe, what is your go-to outfit for a night on the town in San Diego?

A: I really don’t have one go-to outfit. Unless I am packing for travel, I don’t plan my outfits, either. I usually have smaller items in mind that I want to wear that day, such as the new purple leggings I just bought and the vintage gold hoop earrings I have not worn in a while for example. Then I put those on first and proceed to layer pieces to arrive at my inspired look. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. To me, smart layering is key to a finished look that is not generic.

Q: Favorite local boutiques in San Diego?

A: The Kitchery for sure. In the category of fashion, I honestly have a hard time in San Diego. Outlets are great in this area for bargain finds and the malls do offer the basic items, but I usually shop when I travel.

Q: Favorite high-fashion designers?

A: Hermes, Marni and Bottega Venetta.

Q: Favorite piece of clothing or accessory in your closet?

A: I love my bangles I bought from Capetown, South Africa. They are made of recycled plastic bags and are woven in the most delightful African patterns. Unfortunately, they are starting to unravel and they are not that easy to replace.

Q: Favorite piece of furniture in your home?

A: My Carl Hansen Wing chair and ottoman. I love the classic design and the upholstered easy chair is the most comfortable thing to lounge in.

Q: What bands are on your personal playlist right now?

A: I just came back from Trinidad and Tobago, so I am playing Soca everyday right now. I love to dance and I love percussions, so Samba is also big on my list.

Q: What is your skincare regiment? Any secret beauty tricks?

A: I do the usual routine that most women follow, but most importantly, I make sure I wash my face every morning and night no matter what. I notice a difference when I make it to a facial at least once a month. But my secret beauty tricks are two things: coconut oil and Korean spa. Coconut oil from the kitchen is the best thing for your dry skin and it smells so good. The cost of it is nothing compared to, let’s say, a pot of Crème de La Mer. If you have not been to a Korean water spa, well, you must. I try to get the body scrub and oil massage at least once a month. You come out of it feeling cleaner than ever and your skin glows for days.

View Aleka Kim’s selections and learn more at sandiego.bulthaup.com and thekitchery.com

Did you Know: U-T San Diego launched a new Style & Society page. Do you want to be featured in the newspaper? Email all requests to Michelle Guerin via mguerin@discoversd.com

Photos by Helene Cornell