Gemma Kahng
Founder, Artist & Designer.
Gemma Kahng
Gemma Kahng is a phenomenal artist, designer and the founder of an art gallery in Hudson Valley called Beekman Arts Club. @beekmanartsclub
I was introduced to Gemma’s creations while in search of an off-beat wedding dress in 2015. It all started when my mother-in-law, Donna Yost, had met Gemma at Neiman Marcus in Troy, MI at a trunk show for her fashion line. Being a fearless fashionista, Donna fell in love with Gemma’s original and intricate designs and connected with her instantly. After Donna went to visit Gemma at her New York loft she had the idea of her taking the reigns on my dream dress and the two worked some magic creating a masterpiece that took a nod at my Polish heritage and was both stunning and practical (so I could dance my buns off and manage with my two-year-old son Henry.) I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to wear a piece of Gemma’s magic on my wedding day and now this dress hangs in my bedroom, I get a nice recharge of creativity whenever I sneak a peek.
Who is Gemma Kahng?
Gemma Khang was born and raised in South Korea and growing up her mother made all of her and her sister’s clothing. After her father, a mechanical engineer professor, was invited to teach at a school in Michigan, Gemma without speaking any English moved at 14 to the United States. It’s in school where Gemma found a passion for art, leading her to attend the Art Institute of Chicago and choosing her career in fashion.
After graduating Gemma moved to NYC and worked for Cathy Hardwick designing modern sportswear for 4 years before moving into freelance and then launching her own label in 1989. The 90’s were an incredible period for Gemma as she was frequently featured in top magazines and her designs were worn by the hottest celebrities; Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts, Pink and Madonna!
Though managing the business side of her fashion line caused her to slow down in the 2000’s, in 2011 she was featured on the show “All on the Line,” where she was introduced to Elle’s creative director Joe Zee. With Zee’s counselling Gemma was able to reinvent her line and garner another wave of interest with department stores and fashionistas globally.
“I love everything about fashion—from sketching to sewing,” Kahng told Elle in 2011. “I have cuts on my fingers like a ballerina who has blisters on her toes. When a woman wears my designs and loves them, it makes everything worth it for me.” - Gemma Kahng
Gemma now lives and paints in a historical mansion in Hopewell Junction, NY surrounded by nature. She has moved on from fashion but applies her love of fashion to her paintings, she even describes the subject of her paintings as “fashion in nature.”
Donna and Gemma remain friends and maintain contact, the dream is to reconnect in person once the pandemic allows them to do so. Recently Donna received these fashion-inspired bird paintings by Gemma and seeing them up in her home serves as a reminder of her most inspiring friend.
