Mont Kiji founder Junhee Kim didn’t plan on launching a brand — but a custom scarf and some Left Bank magic changed the game and caught the attention of The New York Times. Here’s some of that story, in her own words.

All the Scarves Fit to Print

How did I make it into The New York Times? It began with my custom scarves. My teacher at Parsons — she’s an American living in Bristol — told Tina Isaac-Goizé about me. So Tina reached out, and the first Times article about Mont Kiji’s custom-made process for 100% Made in France silk scarves was published.

A few years later, I told her about the nonprofit collective we were starting, and she was interested again. After we opened the shop, she came by — and that second article came out. I still talk about it every day with people who walk in.

Why We Created the Cooperative

Before this space, I worked for free in someone else’s store — in exchange for space to show my scarves. It was a full learning experience: I found the location, we signed the lease, I helped with everything. That’s how I realized I wasn't a merchant. I needed something different.

We created this cooperative called Rendez-Vous des Designers for designers like us. Not merchants chasing margins, but people who believe in the work. Most of us were overlooked by big shops.

There was no way they were going to make money from us. We met each other doing pop-ups and international fairs, and we’re all in the same boat — small production, real craft, no big profits.

Inside Tip 🪄

Everything sold at the cooperative on the Left Bank of Paris is 100% made in France. Just like Mont Kiji’s silk scarves, which are produced with traditional silk artisans in Lyon and small ateliers in Paris. Some customers walk in, and their eyes sparkle. Whether they buy something or not — it makes my day. 

Contacts

🌐 Mont Kiji

🌐 Rendez-Vous Designers

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A Shop With a "Made in France' Theme, The New York Times

About

Junhee Kim is the Paris-based founder and designer behind Mont Kiji, a silk scarf brand with a 100% Made-in-France ethos. Before launching her brand, she worked at Balenciaga, Emmanuel Ungaro, Sonia Rykiel, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Mont Kiji scarves are produced with traditional silk artisans in Lyon and small ateliers in Paris, supported by a nonprofit collective Junhee co-founded to uplift independent designers.

Her boutique is in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where she continues to connect with customers through artful objects, expat spirit, and meaningful design.

Lead-in Image

Mont Kiji