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“Most of my peers wanted to work launched Albert I’mStein in 2017, to “My desire for creative expression
for a big corporation, like Samsung, less than stellar reviews. He learned had been repressed, and despite the
so I did the expected thing and was the hard way that Polish opticians hardships of starting the business,
happy to do so. Still, there were were stuck on internationally I felt a strong satisfaction from the
parts of me yet to be discovered.” recognized big brands. “It was design work, which kept me going.”
Kim gained a lot of international so difficult to convince them to PORTRAIT OF A DESIGNER
exposure in his job, working even look at my trays. And when I London’s 100% Optical trade show
extensively with Europeans and got a foot in the door, they would recognized Kim’s talent with a
traveling widely. At age 36 he typically say, ‘We like them. Call us Love Eyewear Awards in 2020. The
was offered a senior position at in a month. But a month later, it was winning frame was Dreamer C5,
Samsung’s operations in Poland and the same thing.’ a gorgeous squared-round acetate
was delighted with the challenge. Because Poland was booming piece in dark blue with a clear bridge
“At that time, Poland was the economically, employees with
fastest-growing economy in Europe. experience in the eyewear business and temples.
It was a great opportunity.” were hard to find. “My first hire was The international market responded
Nevertheless, after 12 years with a fellow who owned a wine bar that with alacrity, and Albert I’mStein
Samsung, something entirely had closed. We learned together eyewear is now sold into 18 countries,
different was calling to Kim. At first, how to create success in a difficult including Canada, where Kim has
he wasn’t sure what it would be, environment. And far from being a relationships with Montreal-based
but he knew he wanted to work for coddled employee of a multinational Georges Laoun Opticien, The Optical
himself. “I considered getting into corporation I was now buying my
eyewear, but I never dreamed I own office furniture and working Boutique in Vancouver and For
would be designing it.” every aspect of the business.” Eyes Optical Boutique in Winnipeg.
After studying the eyewear market, Out of necessity, that included Diego Kim’s entrepreneurial nature
Kim decided there was a niche for design. Initially, Kim collaborated has indeed found expression, as
him. “I saw an opportunity to make with the designers employed by has his desire to be a musician. He
high-quality, mid-price point frames eyewear manufacturing factories took up jazz piano as a hobby and
that were fun and distinctive,” to create styles that would meet his can tinkle on the ivories, while
he says. He needed a brand name goal of having wearers feel ‘light,
that would speak to the playful relaxed and happy’ when wearing enjoying a glass of a wine he may
aspect of his vision, and eventually Albert I’mStein. Over time, he began have discovered on his travels. He is
settled on Albert I’mStein. “It makes to take the creative lead and found a self-realized man, walking his own
people smile and draws them to my it thoroughly enjoyable. He also path with a refreshing mixture of
booth at trade shows.” collaborates with Edward Gucewiecz, confidence and humility. And with
He continued to live in Poland and a freelance designer from the U.K. wonderful eyewear to boot! l
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