The series 'HEIGHTS VISIT', which contains the history of the brand located in Heights and the facts that others did not know, is a content that is introduced by visiting the brand store in person. We met Yoon Hyuk and Kim So Hyun, the representatives of CDYBAG, a brand that collects all kinds of fabrics to make original bags, and conducted the seventh Heights Business.

Please introduce the brand.

I'm CD Wai, working on fabric in Seoul. Based on the studio located in Seochon, we collect all kinds of fabrics and make bags.

CEO Hyuk and CEO Sohyun, I wonder how you two started CDY.

CDY started with a creative group founded by art scholars at the Korea National University of Arts in 2013. We've been making bags out of fabric together since Hyuk was in the 4th grade and Sohyun was in the 1st grade. Both majored in fine art, so I was trained in the work where the concept was the main focus throughout. In that process, I thought I wanted to create a more substantial structure. This structure, which used to be a small bag, became a large studio over time and people made their own time and memories here in the form of a bag.

CDY assembles and combines various pieces of fabric, and I wonder what kind of fabric you mainly use.

First Bags Made at School In 2013, the team started with a project called ONE BAG BY ONE JEAN, which is a project to make a bag out of one piece of pants. Since then, we have been working with recycled fabrics that dismantled waste clothing, and recently we have designed and produced products with synthetic fibers of alternative materials developed in Korea.




What inspiration do you get from working on your own?

The surrounding landscape. Seochon, where the studio is located, is an area with many cultural assets, national and public art galleries, and galleries and artists' studios, along with natural environments such as Inwangsan Mountain and Suseong-dong Valley. Also, I think the scenery includes people of different generations and their looks who come to visit Seochon's small and unique shops.

What's the most memorable order out of all the custom-made orders?

I remember the most expensive order. Last year, I made a bag worth 870,000 won with a single order made, but this year, I made a bag worth 1.13 million won, breaking the highest price. The price is relative, so it may be cheap or expensive for someone, but personally, considering that the first bag I made at school was 10,000 won, it reminds me of the past times. Above all, if you think roughly that it's a 'one million won domestic fabric bag', I think consumers put more value than a bag on something made by CD.

What do you care about the most when making a bag?

Rather than thinking, "I'm making a bag," I think, "I'm making a very private sculpture" shared by the client and the producer. We would like to make sure that the clients who commissioned us to carry as many beautiful, useful, and reasonably priced artworks as possible. I want to create high-quality sculptures in all aspects that give you high aesthetic satisfaction even when you're hanging on the body or on the wall.

What was the difficulty of the work process of the Onigiri tote bag you worked with Heights?

I think the difficulty of the bag is no longer a problem because I've been working on things that were not always easy. Since CD is a small and flexible team, the people we work with are more important, and I've enjoyed the process of developing bags that will be made in the studio with the Heights staff several times. It's very important for us to say, "I want to make this person happy," and I would like to thank the team leader, MD, and other Heights employees who visited the CD and atelier in person.

What other items would you like to try besides your bag?

Rather than individual items such as bags, I focus on what images I want to produce. I thought lightly that I wanted to break down with Onigiri, because I had fun working with Heights this time. Starting with Onigiri, which is the size of a rice ball, handbag-shaped Onigiri, backpack Onigiri, Onigiri nap color, Onigiri hat... Building Onigiri World View

Lastly, what do you want to say to those who like CDY?

When a bag you've been holding and working on for days leaves the manufacturer's hands and is placed in a shopping bag or delivery box, you always bring your hands together to breathe air and spirit. Thank you for your support to work healthily. I hope you always stay healthy.