I will never hear the Odyssey’s smash disco hit “Native New Yorker” again and not think of Sujean Rim. She is the epitome of the song. Born and raised in the boroughs of the Big Apple, she truly is a native New Yorker and still is, since Brooklyn is the borough she is currently calling home. While growing up as a child, Sujean had a love for illustration and would play fashion designer as her and her friends pretended to recreate the catwalks of Paris and New York.

Sujean majored in Fashion Design at New York’s Parsons School of Design, and upon graduation began to design shoes and accessories for some of the fashion world’s biggest corporations. In 1995 she landed a commission job with Barney’s New York and has worked steadily with clients such as Tiffany and Co., and Marie Claire-Italy.

Sujean’s illustrations have been used as the cover art for books from authors Lisa Barham and Paola Jacobbi. Her watercolor masterpieces also are featured on DailyCandy.com’s website. In an article about DailyCandy.com, New York Magazine writer Michael Idov wrote, “The coup de grace comes in the form of Sujean Rim’s delightful, feathery watercolor in every e-mail: a hip sweatered couple, a girl riding a bike with a flower bouquet in the basket. After three or four doses, each of these insidiously flattering pictures begins to look like your portrait.”

Upon viewing her website one could not help but to fall in love with the whimsical, airy portraits that are featured. They are full of vitality and have the ability to lift the darkest of spirits. Sujean granted me an interview before traveling so I could learn more about this native New Yorker with an artistic flair.

How has your experience as a New York Native influenced your career?

New York City really is the only city I’d call home. I was born in Brooklyn, moved to Queens, then Manhattan, and recently back to Brooklyn. I went to high school, college and worked in Manhattan, so I did a lot of growing up on the subways too. I feel very fortunate to have grown up here. It has made me very aware and appreciative of so much diversity.

Did you always have the aspiration to become a fashion designer?

I just really knew I wanted to be involved in art and design. While I loved fashion, I also loved fine arts. It took me awhile to choose my major.

Did you want your own fashion line, or did you want to design for an already established fashion line?

Growing up, I did have that glamorous fantasy of [having] my own label. Didn’t we all? As a kid, my friends and I would play “Fashion Show.” My best friends were my super models, and I’d style them.

Can you tell me more about how you started designing shoes and accessories?

After graduating from Parsons, I went on the typical job search as a design assistant for various women’s clothing lines. A colleague was working at Perry Ellis International and told me about freelance work needed in the men’s accessories division. While doing men’s accessories didn’t excite me, I reminded myself it was a short-term freelance job that would at least teach me something new. I ended up loving it, and am forever grateful for having this first work experience. I met and worked with incredibly talented, great people and was introduced to the wonderful world of shoes and accessories.

Could you tell about your collaborations with Barney’s New York, Tiffany & Co., and Marie Claire-Italy?

Barney’s was short and sweet, but remains special to me, as it was my very first freelance job. [It was] an ad for Chanel in The New York Times. I was so thrilled to do it that I couldn’t believe I got paid for it! Tiffany’s is also great fun to work with. I work with PR and more recently with marketing, and will have some illustrations launch on their website in May ‘07.

How did you become the illustrator for Dailycandy.com?

I was busy in my shoe and accessory design life, but still loved to illustrate and did it on the side. I created an image for a business card for good friends who were opening a salon, Butterfly Studio. In helping them find a printer, [I] met someone starting a stationery line, StylePress. After doing some illustrations for this new card line, eventually one reached Dany Levy, who (thank goodness) liked them and contacted me directly. I was already a fan of DailyCandy, but after meeting and clicking with her, it all came together.

On your website it states that “with some encouragement” you got a book together. Can you tell me who the people were that encouraged you to go after your dream?

So many good friends, colleagues, and teachers that I can’t begin to name names. [I] would have to say that I don’t know where I’d be without the support and encouragement of my mom.

The illustrations featured on your website are very vibrant and full of life. What inspires you?

People: big personalities, small personalities, [and] kindness. Nature, I’ve been hooked on the Planet Earth series and feel in awe of all the natural beauty that surrounds us.

It appears that you prefer to work with watercolors. Why?

I like its unpredictable nature, yet how permanent each brushstroke is.

Are there other types of mediums you prefer to work with?

I love marker, pencil, and cut paper. I’d like to work more with oils and acrylic.

How do you apply what you learned at Parsons into the work you do now?

Aside from the obvious art techniques I learned, I try to put as much heart into whatever I do, treat each project with respect, and to be professional.

What are your future goals?

I have tons, but a couple relevant ones would be to paint [a] large scale, and to do a children’s book.

Have you always had a love for illustration?

For as long as I can remember.

To view more of Sujean’s illustrations, visit www.sujeanbruno.com.