Passion Play

Before launching her first-ever apparel collection for Spring 2012 — simply called Nami — L.A.-based fashion designer Sarah Nami Ahn worked as a neuroscientist. But after her brother suffered a near-death motorcycle accident, Ahn decided to ditch years of study and career-building for a career in fashion. Risky? Hell, yes. But "My brother's accident woke me up to life's ephemeral state," she said. "I am the main character in my life. I need to live it to the max."

She enrolled in FIDM in 2009, as "an old fart, against many people's judging eyes," and within six months had won a national contest to "Design the Perfect Little Black Dress" for ubiquitous department store brand Laundry by Shelli Segal. Soon after, Ahn launched her own label, following a stint working with Kelly Wearstler on the interior designer's debut fashion line.

Nami's first-ever fashion collection runs the gamut of statement-making pieces: from babydoll dresses and glamourous strapless gowns to sheer button-front blouses and uber-drapey harem pants. We caught up with the PhD to chat about the collection and her truly singular career trajectory.

Style Section L.A.: What is it about fashion that lured you into the industry?

Sarah Nami Ahn: It started with the fact that I owned 2,000 pounds of clothes. I know this for a fact because when my husband and I moved from L.A. to Chicago, we had a 5,000-pound limit. The movers weighed my closet and discovered that I literally own a ton of clothes. Ha!

I also chose fashion because it is inherently a business. Running my own business has been challenging and invigorating. The start, with all its uncertainties, is quite exciting. You wonder about a lot of things and revel in mini triumphs as you [take] the steps toward brand recognition. Where do I find a manufacturer? How do I make a lookbook? It's all such an amazing journey.
 
Had you had a background in art prior to returning to school?

I loved art all throughout my younger years. I always drew for myself. It was my escape, my savior from the loneliness that follows an Army brat that has to make new friends from place to place.
 
What was FIDM like after years of studying science?

I owe all of my current skills to FIDM. Their Professional Designation program for students who have prior college degrees is intense and comprehensive.It's really a great investment in your future if you choose to be in the fashion industry. I volunteered for every event possible during LA Fashion Week. I made as many contacts as I could while studying there. But I looked at it as making friends. Eventually, most of your classmates are going to graduate and enter the fashion industry, it never hurts to invest your energy on people, interpersonal relationships...friendships. Friends will find themselves in positions to help one another out. The fashion industry, like any other field, it is all about networking.

What inspired the Spring collection?

I was inspired by my visit to Nepal in October 2010. I went there with Habitat for Humanity International. I find the colors they use and the easy way they wrap the beautifully vibrant fabric around their bodies beautiful.
 
How did you get involved in Kelly Wearstler's project?

When I got into the design firm for the interview, I had only brought my fashion portfolio of sketches and a small interior design portfolio from the five-week class that I took. I wasn't aware at that time that she was starting her own fashion line. So when they saw me, they were ecstatic about my fashion background even though I was there for an interior design position. Once I started, I made sure that I got involved in every facet of the company that I could. I worked on interior projects, fashion and product development. It really was an amazing experience.
 
What was it like working with Kelly?

She is a machine. Which I relate to. She works hard and everyone else around her wants to work hard for her. Her enthusiasm for design is quite contagious. I was a little spoiled designing in her firm since her projects really didn't have much of a budget. It was a great learning experience on both the interior and fashion side.

What does Nami mean?

Nami is my Korean name. Part of the name "Mi" means "beautiful" in Chinese characters. Koreans still use a lot of Chinese characters in their language.
 
Nami, priced from $150 (tops) to $5,000 (gowns), hits stores March 2012.