꽃잠 /kkotjäm/ (n.)
(1) A deep, dark, flowery slumber.
(2) The dreamstate of first touch.
There’s something disarming about flowers. When asked who they’re for, people answer truthfully. You learn which mothers are impossible to please, which friends landed in the ER at 3 a.m., which boyfriends are walking a delicate line between future-son-in-law and not-yet-family. I found myself listening more than arranging. It became less about color theory and more about emotional weight—what the bouquet needed to say without saying it. Floristry is just storytelling with stems. It’s how people translate feeling into form. I wanted to build a brand around that.
The name is Korean—꽃잠 (kkotjam). Pronounce “kkot” as it rhymes with hope, and “jäm” as it rhymes with calm. It roughly translates to a restful slumber surrounded by flowers, or a lovers’ first night together. I wanted to honor that meaning. But I also stylized it with an umlaut as a quiet gesture toward where we’re going. KKOTJÄM is meant to be a global brand, rooted in narrative and sculptural design.
I draw as much inspiration from traditional Korean flower arranging as I do from cities like Berlin and Copenhagen. Korean florals are meditative, sparse, and quietly symbolic. Berlin has that punk-minded freedom, while Copenhagen brings a techy, playful clarity. Both cities shape how I think about form and function. Nothing is purely decorative. Everything earns its place.
My own work is sculptural, experimental, and young. I borrow constantly from other mediums: fashion, music, architecture, mythology. I design for people who are intellectually curious. For those who love beauty but want it to mean something. For those who feel more than they say.
FAQs
Do you design floral installations in New York City?
Yes. KKOTJÄM is a NYC florist specializing in sculptural installations that merge fashion, narrative, and flowers. Our work often references Korean tradition and global design, giving each project a distinct voice.
Can KKOTJÄM design flowers for fashion shoots, events, or editorials?
Absolutely. Our work often bridges floristry and fashion, making us a natural collaborator for editorial campaigns, runway shows, weddings, and cultural events in New York and beyond.
Do you offer hyper-realistic faux flowers for purchase?
Yes. We offer a curated e-commerce collection of hyper-realistic faux stems, designed in New York and available worldwide. These pieces bring couture-level detail into everyday spaces and can be styled alone or with live flowers.
What inspires your floral design style?
Our style is informed by Korean tradition, international travel, and the worlds of art, fashion, and architecture. Each arrangement is treated as sculpture, with a balance of structure, symbolism, and mood.
How does KKOTJÄM’s Korean heritage influence your work as a NYC florist?
Korean florals are meditative, sparse, and symbolic, often carrying the same quiet strength as traditional Japanese ikebana. This philosophy underpins our design, even when blended with contemporary global influences.
Do you work with restaurants, hotels, or creative spaces in New York?
Yes. We collaborate with restaurants, hotels, galleries, and retail spaces to create florals that enhance both hospitality and guest experience. From lobby arrangements to private dining installations, each project is tailored to its environment.
How can clients commission a floral design project with KKOTJÄM?
Projects begin with an inquiry through our NYC studio. Clients can reach us via our website or email, and from there we design a proposal that reflects the scale, mood, and intent of the event or space.