«Function layered with emotion»: interview with FFFPOSTALSERVICE We interviewed the designer behind the masks worn by Ye for BULLY
About a month ago, on March 26, Ye reappeared on the global stage, bringing back to the public one of his legendary listening parties, somewhere between a concert and an art performance. The event took place in Seoul, in the industrial space of S-Factory, and was titled Bully Listening Experience, organized into three immersive session slots designed to offer a preview of the new album Bully. As often happens with Ye’s listening parties, there was no traditional stage, but rather a set-up that truly resembled some kind of installation. And as part of this performance, a fashion detail could not be missing, which in this case was represented by a set of eight masks inspired by Mexican luchadores created by the Seoul-based brand FFFPOSTALSERVICE.
Now, the brand founded years ago by Joathan Choe (also known as Churro) has already deeply infiltrated the collective consciousness of the industry, starting from its most avant-garde fringes. Blending technical garments with an absolutely theatrical sense of detail and draping, while also touching the worlds of art and conceptual design, FFFPOSTALSERVICE moves in a fairly unique direction in today’s landscape, transcending its more gorpcore roots and its sporty inspirations to move toward a raw, futuristic imagery. Ye’s endorsement of its aesthetic was only a matter of time.
And it is precisely for this reason that we decided to reach out to Jonathan Choe for an interview, with the idea of exploring the meaning of these masks and their role in a cultural moment where fashion and music are increasingly merging.
When and why did you decide to start FFFPOSTALSERVICE, and why did you move to Seoul?
Jonathan Choe: I started FFFPOSTALSERVICE around 2019, initially just experimenting - printing, modifying garments, figuring things out in a small apartment. It wasn’t meant to be a brand at first, more like a system of ideas. Over time, it became something much bigger. Seoul was a strategic move. The speed here is different - production, development, access to materials, factories. Everything moves faster. At the same time, there’s a strong cultural contrast to New York or LA, which helped me think differently. It gave the brand a new layer.
Your mantra is “an endless science fiction film”: where does this idea of a constantly evolving world come from?
Jonathan Choe: I never saw FFFPOSTALSERVICE as seasonal fashion. It’s more like building a universe. Each collection is a scene, a continuation - not a reset. The idea comes from wanting permanence. In film or sci-fi worlds, characters evolve, environments shift, but the core world stays intact. I approach the brand the same way. Nothing is random - everything connects over time.
Which sci-fi films or video games inspired your work?
Jonathan Choe: A mix of things - Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell, Akira. But also video games where world-building is deeper - like Metal Gear Solid or Death Stranding. It’s less about copying visuals and more about atmosphere - systems, uniforms, survival, isolation. That feeling of being inside a controlled world.
How did you develop the brand’s aesthetic? What is your design philosophy?
Jonathan Choe: It came from studying real garments - military, archival, functional pieces - and then distorting them. I don’t design from nothing. I start from something real, then evolve it. The philosophy is function layered with emotion. Everything has to feel wearable, but also carry tension - like it exists in a different timeline. Materials, hardware, construction - it all has to justify itself.
How did the call from Ye for the BULLY masks come about?
Jonathan Choe: We were contracted by the Korea team to create the masks within three days. The timeline was almost impossible - design, development, and execution all compressed into a very short window. But that kind of pressure is something we’re used to. We made it happen.
What was the biggest challenge in creating the eight luchador-inspired masks for Ye’s listening party in Seoul?
Jonathan Choe: Time. Everything was done under extreme pressure - designing, sampling, producing, and delivering within basically a day. But also making sure it wasn’t just inspired. We wanted to respect the cultural reference while pushing it into our world - more aggressive, more futuristic, more FFFPOSTALSERVICE.
Did Ye give you carte blanche, or did you have to adapt to his world?
Jonathan Choe: It was both. He gave a lot of freedom creatively, but at the same time, you’re stepping into his universe. So it becomes a balance - extending his vision while staying true to your own language. That tension actually creates better work.
Why do you think Ye chose Seoul as the location? Tell us about the city’s creative and music scene.
Jonathan Choe: Seoul has a certain energy right now - it’s fast, experimental, and still slightly under the radar globally compared to cities like Tokyo or Paris. There’s a strong crossover between fashion, music, and art here. People are willing to try things. It’s not overly polished yet, which makes it interesting.
After the runway debut at Paris Fashion Week, how has the perception of the brand changed?
Jonathan Choe: It shifted from being seen as a niche or emerging label to something more established. The runway gave context. People understood the world more clearly - not just individual pieces, but the full vision. It made the brand harder to ignore.
What is the next chapter in the film of FFFPOSTALSERVICE?
Jonathan Choe: The first chapter was P.I.L.O.T. - an introduction. Now it’s about expansion. More characters, more product categories - footwear, eyewear, environments. The world becomes more immersive. The goal is to build something that exists beyond clothing. A system people can step into.
