INTERVIEW | Euijae Lee of CAYL

CAYL, Climb As You Love, is as pure as it gets when it comes to the outdoors. The South Korea based-label started with humble beginnings in 2011 by founder and designer Euijae Lee. Despite not having any formal studies in fashion, he initiated the label out of his undeniable passion for the mountaineering activities that brought him joy in every season: hiking, biking, climbing. What began as simply creating personal climbing clothing due to a lack of quality gear in his country has now evolved into a full-fledged outdoor brand releasing seasonal collections of protective jackets, functional bag lines, and everyday accessories. Slowly but surely, CAYL has become a major player in supporting the local outdoor culture that has continued to rise in popularity.

We chatted with Euijae Lee to learn more about his inspiration for CAYL and his favorite local pastimes.

CAYL - an acronym for "Climb As You Love" - is nod to your passion for hiking culture and the outdoors. When and where did this love for the outdoors start?

When I started college, I became more and more interested in hiking and climbing, both indoors and outdoors. I also loved seeing vintage outdoor clothing in my everyday fashion. About 70% of South Korea is filled with mountains that are about an hour away from Seoul (the nation’s capital). Many people head outdoors to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was at this time I also found happiness whenever I visited the mountains and went hiking or biking with my friends. Friends in our circle ran their own brands, so I would learn about their thought process and how they operated. At one point, I operated a small online shop where I imported and sold climbing supplies.

What was your background before starting CAYL, and why did you decide to start an outdoor-wear label in 2011?

I actually majored in engineering and not in fashion design. I grew in a rural area where you don’t really get exposed to fashion or design. But my interest in fashion began in middle school. As time passed by, my perspective on my surroundings changed as I began to climb and hike more often. I was so passionate about climbing that I launched my first climbing wear brand. There weren’t any products in Korea that I liked, so I started very small and created simple designs that I wanted to wear myself.

What makes CAYL different from existing outdoor-wear brands already on the market?

We’re very focused on developing products that are actively used in the outdoors. My friends and I use our own gear for day trips or even long distance hikes that last 2-3 days. However, I also believe CAYL items can be worn everyday. The products we release are special since they work well together and can mix-and-match for any situation. Climbers can easily wear our clothing as part of their daily wardrobe. Ultimately, we aim to create products that are not only functional but also comfortable to wear and use.

Weather obviously is a major factor in determining what type of jacket you wear outside. How does South Korea's weather drive your garment material selection?

Korea has four seasons that are all very different - extreme heat, heavy rainfall, cold weathers, or snowfall. South Korean people’s clothes change as fast as the weather. So we try to focus as much as we can on lightweight and comfortable functional clothing.

CAYL's bag series are a big hit with many models already sold out. Can you share some important design details you consider when creating the bag collections?

Our bag line was developed to reflect the concept of ultralight hiking. This criteria drives our fabric selection, ensuring that they are durable yet lightweight. Also, our bags are unique because we focus on their practicality. Technical features and functional design are incorporated such as 2-way YKK waterproof zippers and asymmetric pocket designs for storage. We make improvements to each version of the bag by testing prototypes, making sure that they are easy to use in both the mountain and city life. Unlike other seasonal products, our bag line is always in production.

My favorite piece is actually the Mari Rolltop Backpack. It has an asymmetrical design that my customers and I really enjoy, and I believe that it’s a well-balanced product.

South Korea is often depicted as a fast-paced, highly urbanized country. However, I've also learned that mountains and the outdoors are a central identity to South Korea. How would you describe the climbing and hiking scene in South Korea?

That’s right, South Korea is fast-paced country where the market and what’s in style, not only in fashion but everyday products, changes based on trends. This makes it challenging to think of new designs that keep up with the customer’s taste.

The draining city life seems to be the reason why many people visit the mountains, especially on the weekend. South Korea isn’t very elevated, but there are a multitude of mountains, each with their own charm and unique shape. Hiking a mountain can be nerve-wracking, but that’s what makes it fun. Climbing has actually become a famous sport in South Korea, and I’m always climbing indoors or outdoors with the rise of many new climbing gyms.

I noticed you're part of a hiking collective called The Lowest Mountain Hiking Club. When did this club start and how often do you hike together?

We have a hiking club called the LMHC. The club started 3 years ago, and we usually hike 25 km for 2 days and 1 night, once a month. After our hikes, we would eat black bean sauce noodles around the area.

Do you have a favorite trail, and why is that one special to you?

South Korea is well-known for having many famous national parks. Among them, my favorite is the Seoraksan National Park. Our sacoche bags are actually named after this National Park. The Seoraksan National Park is filled with beautiful landscapes while the trails are difficult and rocky - some areas are actually quite dangerous. But I love the scenery.

What's in store for CAYL's next collection?

We will continue to release our popular items such as the Mari Rolltop Backpack. This upcoming season, we’ll release products that utilize many zippers. In the end, we want our customers to enjoy and appreciate all the clean designs and details while wearing our clothes.