Our Story
June Lee is a community-based apparel and merchandise brand based in beautiful Portland, Oregon. It was founded by Giyen Kim, a second-generation Asian-American proudly born in Texas and raised in the Pacific Northwest.
Hello! I'm Giyen Kim, Founder & CEO
June Lee is not only a company, but a platform for spreading messages of hope, pragmatism, and humor. We believe words have the power to change people's lives, and our products act as beacons about what's important to our community.
Each product we sell is either made-to-order or created in limited pre-order runs by our production partners. This zero-waste model is our way of keeping our footprint small, so we can focus on what truly matters to us — making art, collaborating with our community, and using our collective resources to make an impact.
Founded in 2024, we are a new company, and our practices are still evolving. We don't claim to be a "sustainable" brand and are still learning what's possible for a small made-to-order company. Currently, we partner with garment manufacturers and printing partners who:
- Commit to being 100% sweatshop-free
- Prioritize U.S.-made materials
- Use water-based, OEKO-TEX, or GOTS inks
All of our apparel are designed and printed in the United States. Most of our products are made from 100% biodegradable cotton.
June Lee is named after Giyen's appa, June Bae Kim, and umma, In Suk Lee. Like many immigrant families, making a life in rural America was tough and complicated. They got through it, not by radical positivity and optimism, but by living pragmatically day by day or 하루하루 (haru haru). Decades later, Giyen still remembers those early years and uses the term "haru haru" to remind herself we can get through anything if we focus on living day by day.
With the death of her mother at the age of 7, and the passing of her father when she was 36, Giyen still feels her parent's impact in profound and meaningful ways. June Lee helps remind her of how she can continually reframe her relationships with the people in her life.
