In conversation with Gia Seo.
Born in Alaska and currently based in Brooklyn, Gia Seo is the founder and creative director at creative studio Department Of. We interviewed Gia about her morning routine, interior style, and her unexpected favorite comfort movie.
Where do you feel like you find the most creative inspiration?
GS: Creative inspiration is really specific for me, depending on the idea that I'm working on or the project brief that I receive. I find that things that maybe feel mundane or everyday to me are inspiring. When people say that inspiration can be found anywhere in New York, it's really, really quite true.
What is your definition of Oasis?
GS: The definition of Oasis for me would be a cabin in the woods that I built by myself and I'm living next to a farm and I'm completely self-sustained. I feel like being 33 and saying that is kind of crazy, but I think my mind won't change.
Take me through your morning routine. What's the first thing you do when you get up?
GS: Routine is a tricky word when you run your own business. What is routine? I think the one routine thing I have for myself in the morning is a cardamom milk tea. I know that people are like, “but there's no caffeine. What do you mean?” But having something that feels like yours ultimately when you start out your day, every day, grounds me to approach things more intentionally throughout the day. So I guess that's kind of my starting point. The cardamom milk tea.
If you're cooking breakfast to impress, what are you making?
GS: I don't know if my breakfast skills are impressive, but I think it's the effort that counts. I'm usually cooking for my partner because we only really have Saturdays off together. If I'm feeling extra ambitious, I'll create an American breakfast with Asian influence. In particular, Korean style seasonings or meats or things like that. I wish I could be a Michelin star restaurant, but you know, I'm only one person with like six potatoes, so I'm just trying my best.
How would you describe your interior style?
GS: I've noticed that my taste in both my personal style and my interior decoration style has really evolved. But the one thing that's always seemed to be the central theme, or the way I feel about my home, is that it's very lived in. Nothing feels too precious. I really try to create this [feeling] because that's how I grew up in Alaska. My parents, although they really cared about the value of things, never made us feel like we couldn't live in them or love them or take care of them. I think ultimately now, when I build my home in New York, that's probably the biggest thing I’m trying for is familiarity, coziness, lived-in. My interior style is lived-in, but intentionally so.
Do you have a favorite movie you like to throw on when you're having a lazy morning?
GS: I do. It's called 8 MILE. [Laughs] Growing up, his story really inspired me. I'm not watching it so seriously anymore, but it's nice to kind of hear his voice in the background sometimes when I'm doing laundry or dishes.
