ORIGINS

THE ANTI-UNIFORM STUDIO

Min Young Lee and Greg Sato, the creative forces behind Finery, are connected by a rich variety of influences that shape the brand's distinctive design ethos and philosophical outlook. Hailing from diverse backgrounds that span from Seoul to Southern California, Sato and Lee boast a combined wealth of over 45 years in the fashion industry, with a formidable portfolio of experiences across various facets of the field.

Their professional journey spans roles in renowned global fashion houses, ranging from luxury to mass-market segments, along with the successful launch of their own ventures. Close relationships with chefs, restaurateurs, and entrepreneurs in the fine dining and hospitality community eventually led to a serendipitous opportunity for friends Sato and Lee to style the staff of four renowned chefs. Recognizing a need for a fresh approach to staff styling and wardrobe design, their multifaceted histories, interests, and skills converged, and the concept of the Anti-Uniform was born.

Having lived and worked in fashion capitals like Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, and New York, Sato and Lee established Finery’s home base in Los Angeles. Here, they reimagine staff apparel as covetable items that people feel good wearing on or off the clock, collections that demonstrate a nuanced mix of refined references that include classic European tailoring, Japanese essentialism, and the eclectic energy of the West Coast.

More than a design studio and production house, Finery is a testament to the transformative power of a shared vision, one that started and—now in its 10th year—continues as an attempt to center the worker when creating workwear, to produce the kind of elevated workday essentials that encourage everyone, regardless of their role, to look, feel, and do good.