Meet The Disruptors: Jung Lee of Fête, Jung Lee NY, and Slowdance On The Five Things You Need To Shake Up Your Industry
An Interview With Fotis Georgiadis
Be authentic and Be you — As a creative, one of the most important things is being yourself and letting that come through. I think about this every day in my work.
As a part of our series about business leaders who are shaking things up in their industry, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jung Lee.
Jung Lee is one of the most sought-after event designers in the world, creating spectacular celebrations for a discriminating roster of clients–both corporate and private. Since establishing FÊTE in 2002, her events have been admired by guests and industry peers for raising the standard. Born in South Korea and raised in New York City, Jung comes from a humble background, citing her family’s work ethic as an elemental part of her personality. She found her footing in design by building high-end gourmet shops; later, refining her eye as a residential real estate developer. Aware that the modern sensibilities driving interior design had yet to infiltrate events, Jung knew she could put a fresh and modern spin on celebrations. She continues to be deemed a best wedding planner by VOGUE and BAZAAR. Her eponymous home decor store, Jung Lee NY, offers inspiration for everyday living and entertaining. Jung is also the founder of Slowdance, the preeminent luxury wedding registry on the market. Her eponymous home decor store, Jung Lee NY, is a reflection of her everyday lifestyle. A curator of joy, Jung is also the founder of Slowdance, the preeminent luxury wedding registry on the market.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
For over a decade I have traveled the world designing my clients’ most sacred events, from intimate parties to milestone celebrations.
I entered the event design industry in 2002 as a way of offering an inspired alternative to run-of-the-mill events. I have a passion for design — the individual for whom it reflects, the mood it sets and the experience it creates. I first discovered this when I became involved in residential and commercial construction. I noticed that I saw balance and proportion differently than most, and had a knack for combining visual beauty with efficiency and function. I see a space and immediately understand what it should be. So we took this approach to event planning. We tap into our customers’ individual tastes and interests to create an extraordinary environment.
I remember as a child going to Pottery Barn and Gimbels (which is no longer around) and watching my mother carefully select the perfect bowls and serving pieces. Later in life I got into my family business and led our food store buildout. This included projects like selecting logos, signage, layout, how customers would experience the store and seating area, and more. After I went into home spec building construction and loved that. I love to imagine how families would live and enjoy the spaces that I create.
Now, I have decided to share my passion more broadly for your own entertainment and lifestyle at home. With a concept store in New York and an online store, I am delighted to now offer you inspiration for everyday living. Whether you are ordering takeout for two, or cooking a holiday meal for twenty, the fundamentals are the same: make it personal and have fun. From lighting and ambience to tabletop and decor, a keen eye for balance and proportion can transform any space…even your own!
Can you tell our readers what it is about the work you’re doing that’s disruptive?
I think it’s how we think about interior spaces in a unique way. For example, using art beach towels — framing that as the artwork in a pool house or anywhere. After doing this for so many years, we know what looks good and continue to figure out clever ways to achieve that aesthetic and impact. The way I entertain is not prescriptive — it’s organic and effortless, but fun!
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Our first event in Southern Italy, I had asked my Italian vendor where our shipment was, he replied in Italian and said it’s in the “Deposito “. Of course I didn’t speak Italian and thought he kept asking where our deposit was. I replied saying that we had already paid and just needed our shipment. So here I am panicking thinking they didn’t receive our deposit, and our shipment was delayed. Come to find out that deposito in Italian means storage area, and he was trying to tell us that’s where our shipment was located.
We all need a little help along the journey. Who have been some of your mentors? Can you share a story about how they made an impact?
I’m lucky as there have been so many but specifically two of them have made the greatest impact. The first is Sylvia Weinstock. She was a mentor and total badass disruptor. The second is Mark Ingram who also is a badass disruptor!
In today’s parlance, being disruptive is usually a positive adjective. But is disrupting always good? When do we say the converse, that a system or structure has ‘withstood the test of time’? Can you articulate to our readers when disrupting an industry is positive, and when disrupting an industry is ‘not so positive’? Can you share some examples of what you mean?
I’m fortunate that in my creative industry, being a disruptor is usually a positive thing. I understand that this may not be the case in all industries though. For me, one example of this is Fine China. I think Fine China feels unapproachable to most couples but the way we present it makes it desirable and a must! This allows us to be a disruptor in the space and present something in a truly unique way.
Can you share five of the best words of advice you’ve gotten along your journey? Please give a story or example for each.
- Be authentic and Be you — As a creative, one of the most important things is being yourself and letting that come through. I think about this every day in my work.
- Loyalty — Be loyal to yourself, your work and those around you.
- If someone or something is not working, cut the losses once you know. We’ve all been in positions where you know something isn’t working. Trust your gut.
- People will always remember how you make them feel — Maya Angelou — Kindness goes a very long way
- Be creative — there are always ways for you to stand out, you just need to think about how you can be creative in what you do.
We are sure you aren’t done. How are you going to shake things up next?
I want to open another Slowdance in another market and build a hotel from there! I love the curated experience of a hotel along with the hospitality. Owning a hotel would allow so many people to experience this curated experience in a unique way.
Do you have a book, podcast, or talk that’s had a deep impact on your thinking? Can you share a story with us? Can you explain why it was so resonant with you?
I was listening to Deepak Chopra telling a story of how he gave everything up, shaved his head, had to beg for food, and didn’t have shoes. He said one of the hard things was walking in the streets barefoot. His teacher said that when he is walking, he should focus on the foot that’s up, the one not in pain. This was really impactful for me. It’s so important to focus energy on the positive and draw strength from that. It’s such a simple thing of the discipline of focusing.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“There is always a solution to a problem, there is no such thing as we can’t figure it out, yes we can”. Throughout my events I’ve made the impossible possible. When there is a problem you can’t just quit and I’ve implemented this into my life, there really is something you can do even if you have to improvise. Also, it never hurts to have a plan A, B, and C.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I think there are SO many things I’d like to do to better the world around me. It feels limitless as long as I’m adding joy to every element and creating memories that last a lifetime that’s what’s important
How can our readers follow you online?
Thank you! Feel free to follow me on instagram @Jungleeny
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Meet The Disruptors: Jung Lee of Fête, Jung Lee NY, and Slowdance On The Five Things You Need To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
