Meet Rachel Kim | Writer, Model & Digital Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Kim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Honestly? It was just meant to be like that and I don’t see it being any other way because I was always a creative person since I was a kid. Growing up though, I kept trying to be good at things I was just never gifted at but it was my parents who actually encouraged me to pursue and stick to my strengths (the artistic/creative field). To this day, I’m so grateful that I’ve always had such an amazing support system of people who foster an environment where I can grow and keep improving my craft.

On that note, I did grow up with this black-and-white impression that you can only be good at one thing and should stick to that, but it hit me after college that this is such a limiting way of thinking and very untrue. People (especially creatives) are way more nuanced and multi-faceted and shouldn’t be confined in a box like that. We all learn new things about ourselves along with talents we didn’t know we had, so it’s imperative to find a way to pinpoint, intertwine and apply our skills to evolve and excel in our careers – especially as we progress further into the digital age.

So, I ended up getting into writing as a fashion finder (most currently for The DailyMail) while also juggling content creating on social media and part-time modeling. I still struggle sometimes to find that balance with breaks in between, but at the end of the day, being a creative has always been so cathartic and therapeutic while providing a means of self-expression that I get a certain high from and makes me feel incredibly alive. I’ve gone through my own journey of self-discovery and though I feel more certain about my skill sets and what I want to do/be, I know for a fact this isn’t the end of that journey.

With that said, I’m reminded of the “starving artist” trope all the time, and I’m definitely not the richest person in my field or industry. I have friends with different careers who make way more money, but truly I still feel so thankful to know that as a creative, it’s a privilege that I was able to figure out and go after what I wanted to do while continuing to do what I love and be successful at it at my own timing and pace.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Well, my DailyMail gig is how I make the bulk of my income and I write about celebrity fashion. It’s super fast-paced and entails a lot of research since I had to figure out what all the A-listers are wearing, type up a quick copy, and convince the masses why they need to buy it asap. When we can’t ID their outfits, we’re expected to drop it and just move on to save time… so it’s necessary to already have a solid background and knowledge of designer brands and know how/where to search and shop for these things. It requires me to constantly keep up with the latest trends and hottest looks from women’s to menswear and then some.

My two side passions include being a digital creator (on Instagram) and freelance modeling. My IG is fashion, beauty, and lifestyle-themed and has gone through rebranding over the years in terms of content and style. Now it’s a portfolio and a personal blog with sponsored content here and there – a creative LinkedIn if you will. My modeling and content creation are interlinked in a way because it was essentially through my IG that I fell more in love with photoshoots, which is how I then ended up at Coco Rocha’s model camp a couple of years ago… that’s how my modeling journey began and the rest is history.

Navigating to get to where I am today was a process that took a lot of time and learning curves. But also it’s something that just all aligned in place at the right times throughout my twenties. Sometimes I feel like I ‘fake it till I make it’ because so many opportunities just fell into my lap over the years but nothing ever comes free, of course. I had to really maneuver my way into the fashion industry with zero schooling or related work experience. I graduated with a Creative Writing degree from Purdue but quickly realized I didn’t want to write for a living in the traditional sense that many people think (i.e. writing books, teaching literature, etc.).

So a big reason why I began curating my IG in the first place (circa 2017) was to utilize it as a platform to showcase my passion/knowledge for fashion; from there it just snowballed into what it is today. Initially, I had no clue how to start; no one taught me. The bloggers and “influencers” you see now were not nearly as pervasive then so I had to just dive into it – which is advice I always give people now. If you scroll through my feed, you’ll see the evolution of my style, branding, the way I take photos, how I pose, and even the way I write over the years. Needless to say, I always include my IG handle in my resume and use it for modeling as well. I certainly think it played a role in landing my first job as a fashion product copywriter at The RealReal, which is basically how I got my foot in that door.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
You’ll never run out of things to do in LA so it just depends on where you are, your budget, and the type of things you’re into but I can break it down to the more popular and centralized areas my friends and I like to go to…

For a super chill vibe, there’s Santa Monica. It’s all the way out west, but it’ll definitely give you that comprehensive, “typical LA” experience that you see popularized everywhere. The beach is right there and there are so many brunch spots, art galleries, and cute local shops as well as malls for high-end stuff. The Promenade and Downtown Santa Monica are right next to each other so there are plenty of things to check out. Go a little south and you’ll hit Venice, another beach town but more boho.

There’s Ktown, which has plazas and tons of Asian restaurants worth trying out that are budget-friendly. The plazas have a variety of shops, cafes, and bars as well. If you want to try some of the best Korean food, there are popular kbbq places like Quarters and Tokki for a slight fusion twist and BCD Tofu House for a more authentic menu. There’s Kazunori for sushi if you want something fresh, high-quality, and affordable (they have other locations throughout LA).

If you’re feeling extra spendy and bougie, there’s Beverly Hills. There you can buy luxe, designer goods (Rodeo Drive) and look for fine dining, luxury spas, and the hottest events to attend. It’s also home to some of the best cosmetic surgeons for a quick lunchtime lipo or nip/tuck, if that’s your thing. Next to BH are Westfield Century City and The Grove – two popular spots for more shopping, movie theaters, and good food.

For nightlife and bars, I suggest West Hollywood or DTLA. There’s a plethora of clubs like Nightingale, Poppy, and Bootsy Bellows by Weho… For venues with a bigger dancefloor and a more ravey vibe, there are places like The Academy and Exchange LA for EDM fans. There are plenty of lounges, rooftop bars, and speakeasy-type places too for a more laid-back atmosphere – it’s easier to just Google search them when you’re in the area. I recommend checking out apps like Eventbrite if you want to crash some cool events or parties because there’s always something fun popping here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Honestly, I have so many loved ones who have supported and been there for me, before and after my glow-up/success for me to list. I dedicate this to all of my close friends, wonderful acquaintances and co-workers, and several family members including my parents. I really would not be here today, thriving and trucking on, without you all and I feel incredibly blessed to have you in my life. You all know who you are.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rareraekims

Image Credits
Olivia Wong, Jacob Barri, Momodu Mansaray