We’ve been watching her incredible climb as she eventually left those high-profile positions to follow her passions and chart her own destiny. With the A-list Dinners With Bevy, co-hosting the groundbreaking Bravo’s Fashion Queens and the hit Page Six TV and now Bevelations, her runaway best seller and hit talk show on SiriusXM Radio,
Jung Lee: The Joy of Style
Please join AMBASSADOR DIGITAL MAGAZINE Editor In Chief Musa Jackson has a Q. & A. with Celebrity Event planner JUNG LEE. Born In South Korea raised in New York.
Task
Through hard work and a unique vision she is the founder and creator of Fete NY, owner of Jung Lee NY and recognized by Vogue & Harper Bazaars as one of the top global event and wedding planner.
Interview
MUSA
What would you say the difference between doing an event abroad versus here in the U.S. ?
JUNG
My mindset is very similar. Bringing my expertise and bringing the clients vision to life. Whether it’s east coast, west coast, middle America, Asia or Europe it’s really the mindset. When you go international language is always a barrier. But I love challenges. It brings different perspectives which becomes an enhanced event experience.
Growing up in the ‘70s and ‘80s and seeing people be bold and fabulous in their apparel. The first fashion show I ever attended was on the streets of Harlem. Growing up in Harlem was really a charmed thing even with the scourge of drug addiction that happened when I was a kid, then later on when I became a teenager with the crack epidemic. But, I always felt like we as a people were going to make it. One of my favorite blocks in Harlem is Strivers’ Row. For me, Strivers’ Row, The Flash Inn, Copeland’s, these were places I looked at and I said, “Wow, these are Black folks in my community. These are people and places that represent better.” That’s what Harlem meant to me. It rooted me in Black culture, in my Black ethnicity. I was never ashamed of where I came from. It gave me a sense that I could strive for more. (Continued)
MUSA
When it comes to interiors how would you describe your aesthetic?
JUNG
I like eclectic, modern, comfortable living. I like clean lines. I like objects that remind me of where we came from. Part of living today is traveling. And when you’re traveling, you’re visiting new cities, trying new restaurants. I like to bring a piece of that home. I was with my kids in Iceland and we picked rocks from the beach. Sometimes special artifacts don’t have to cost a cent. Touching things that take us back to that time. That’s what I really love.
MUSA
When it comes to decision making with a client how would you describe your creative choices? Are they your creatives choices or are do you collaborate with them?
JUNG
The clients are always making the final decision. It’s their wedding, it’s their event. However they hired us for a reason. Sometimes I’ll go to an amazing party. And I might go to the client and present that idea. They will be they never knew about it and say they love it. So it’s a collaborative process. It’s places they’ve been too, ideas. It’s all the touch points. Taste, visualize, feel. We bring all these pieces together in coherent, cohesive narrative story. That’s something a client can not do. They can come up with good ideas but it’s us who ultimately piece it together.
MUSA
How would you describe the Jung Lee brand?
JUNG
I have to always have value or add value to it. I’m not about more is more. I hate waste to any capacity. The way I consider myself is that there is great value. There is sophistication. And there is humor. I’m selling beautiful things for ones home. I’m planning parties. I mean this is not curing cancer. But what we are doing is bringing and elevating joy. We ask the right questions, we listen, then we put the pieces together.
MUSA
For up and coming creatives who have a desire to do what you’ve accomplished. What would be your advice to them?
JUNG
People think that events are really glamorous. That it’s all being in a black tie and gown sipping champagne. We’re there to work. I think that if they feel passionate about whether it’s this particular field in terms of events. They have to try it. They have to be really hardworking. There’s not just one way of doing something there is so many different ways. And that’s actually what I love. Life is very short, it’s very precious so use that time wisely. If events makes you happy every day then this is your calling.
MUSA
What is it like being the boss?
JUNG
Anything in life there’s pros and cons. There are so many days I just want to be told what to do. I’m tired. I don’t want to lead the ship anymore. Somebody take the helm. I have a responsibility to my team, to my clients, all the partners. Even when I feel like I can’t this anymore I know that too many people are counting on me. So I have to. And there no woe is me. I think there is something good in that you needed and people depend on you. So from there I draw some strength.
