hai Hai Seoul
Following the launch of the very first Hai store in Seoul last week, we decided to switch things up with this week's Hai Society, and give you a peak into Hai Founder & Designer, Tessa's, diary from her week in the South Korean capital.
Read on for Tessa's week in film, launching our first ever permanent home of Hai alongside our new friends in Seoul...
Why did you choose Seoul to launch the first store?
I first met Jisoo last year when her store Mirabelle starting stocking Hai. Jisoo then organised two Hai pop ups in Seoul which were both a great success, after that we started discussing the idea of setting up something more permanent together.
Where was the first place you went after landing in South Korea?
My traditional Hanok Airbnb that I stayed in just around the corner from the store! Then a first visit to our store (which by then was still a building site) followed by some Korean bbq.
Besides all the silky treasures, what’s your favourite thing in the store?
We have a few very beautiful pieces in the store, my partner (@spazioleone) sourced some beautiful items for us plus we have some amazing pieces from local makers in Seoul in store.
The best spots you went to?
The area around the store, Jongno Gu is very nice, there are so many cute stores and restaurants all around.
I have to say it was a whirlwind week and I didn’t have too much time for sightseeing but I can recommend the below places i went to:
Tongin Traditional Market (traditional food market)
Woolaeoak Restaurant (cold noodles)
Parc (Korean home style restaurant)
COSMO (natural wine bar & shop)
Taff (restaurant / natural wine bar)
CAA Design Shop (homeware)
Boot Cafe Seoul (cafe / lifestyle store)
Width x Depth x Height (stationary store)
Tartine Bakery (bakery / cafe)
0fr. Séoul (collectible books / cook books / magazines / lifestyle)
Will definitely need to do more exploring next time I’m in town!
Most popular pick in the store so far?
The little silk bag - always!
Useful phrases you’ve picked up?
Ohh I have to say that semester of Korean I took back in uni didn’t really stick! Besides the basic greetings and thank yous I didn’t manage to pick up much unfortunately, there are just so many syllables in the Korean language!
Having just opened a store across continents from Hai’s London studio, how does it feel looking back on the journey so far?
It feels like such a milestone in our journey. I started Hai 3 years ago and for the first two years I even had a full time job. To see where we are now, with a store in Seoul and a wonderful team both there and in London.
It makes me feel very proud.
Any final things you want to do before you leave?
One last Korean bbq supper with our Seoul team!
The ‘hai’ and low of the whole experience?
Seeing the queue outside right before opening when we’re trying to finish all last minute things!
The only low was that the trip was too short!
Why did you choose Seoul to launch the first store?
I first met Jisoo last year when her store Mirabelle starting stocking Hai. Jisoo then organised two Hai pop ups in Seoul which were both a great success, after that we started discussing the idea of setting up something more permanent together.
Where was the first place you went after landing in South Korea?
My traditional Hanok Airbnb that I stayed in just around the corner from the store! Then a first visit to our store (which by then was still a building site) followed by some Korean bbq.
Besides all the silky treasures, what’s your favourite thing in the store?
We have a few very beautiful pieces in the store, my partner (@spazioleone) sourced some beautiful items for us plus we have some amazing pieces from local makers in Seoul in store.
The best spots you went to?
The area around the store, Jongno Gu is very nice, there are so many cute stores and restaurants all around.
I have to say it was a whirlwind week and I didn’t have too much time for sightseeing but I can recommend the below places i went to:
Tongin Traditional Market (traditional food market)
Woolaeoak Restaurant (cold noodles)
Parc (Korean home style restaurant)
COSMO (natural wine bar & shop)
Taff (restaurant / natural wine bar)
CAA Design Shop (homeware)
Boot Cafe Seoul (cafe / lifestyle store)
Width x Depth x Height (stationary store)
Tartine Bakery (bakery / cafe)
0fr. Séoul (collectible books / cook books / magazines / lifestyle)
Will definitely need to do more exploring next time I’m in town!
Most popular pick in the store so far?
The little silk bag - always!
Useful phrases you’ve picked up?
Ohh I have to say that semester of Korean I took back in uni didn’t really stick! Besides the basic greetings and thank yous I didn’t manage to pick up much unfortunately, there are just so many syllables in the Korean language!
Having just opened a store across continents from Hai’s London studio, how does it feel looking back on the journey so far?
It feels like such a milestone in our journey. I started Hai 3 years ago and for the first two years I even had a full time job. To see where we are now, with a store in Seoul and a wonderful team both there and in London.
It makes me feel very proud.
Any final things you want to do before you leave?
One last Korean bbq supper with our Seoul team!
The ‘hai’ and low of the whole experience?
Seeing the queue outside right before opening when we’re trying to finish all last minute things!
The only low was that the trip was too short!