Dior intern Seohee Lee shares how she got there and what's coming next

If your FYP isn’t filled with Seohee Lee living out the Devil Wears Prada dream (all while learning French on the side), then what are you watching? Seohee is proof for every Kiwi girl that your dreams can stretch far beyond what you ever imagined. Currently interning at powerhouse fashion house Dior and fresh off the back of Paris Fashion Week, we spoke with Seohee about what it really means to be living her life right now—about how she got there, and about what comes next.

1. We’ve loved following your life in Paris. What initially drew you to the city, and what has kept you there?

My love for Paris actually began with a very spontaneous two-week solo trip after my exchange semester in Milan. The moment I landed, something just felt different, the city really spoke to me.

Every time I walk around Paris, I feel inspired. From the people, to the architecture, to the French way of life, there’s this beautiful balance of ambition and enjoyment. Of course, the fashion, beauty, and luxury scene are also incredibly inspiring.

Coming from New Zealand, luxury always felt like something so far away that I didn’t truly believe it was achievable. But being in Paris changed that perspective completely. I fell in love with the energy of the city and the people I’ve met here, everyone feels aligned in this way of being ambitious, creative, and still wanting to enjoy life. That’s what’s kept me here.

2. Interning at Dior feels like a dream from this side of the world. Can you walk us through what a typical day looks like behind the scenes? What surprised you most about working within such an iconic house?

I’m currently interning within the Global Social Media team at Parfums Christian Dior, which still feels very surreal to say. My role involves supporting the team across a range of digital and social projects, from campaign coordination to analysing social trends and performance.

No two days are the same, it’s a very fast-paced environment, which makes it very exciting and I am learning a lot. I’ve been able to gain insight into how global campaigns come to life and the level of collaboration required across so many teams.

What has surprised me most is the precision and intention behind everything. Being exposed to that level of detail has been a really valuable learning experience.

3. For those curious about the pathway in, how long does an internship at Dior typically run? Are there opportunities to transition into a permanent role, or has the experience opened doors in other directions for you?

In France, internships typically run for six months. There can be opportunities to transition into a permanent role, but it really depends on business needs and available headcount.

That being said, the experience itself is so valuable. I’ve learned so much, and I’m confident it will open doors regardless of where I go next.

4. Paris has such a distinct sartorial language. Has living there reshaped the way you approach your personal style? Do you feel it’s evolved since arriving?

Absolutely. Living in Paris has completely reshaped my personal style and pushed me outside of my comfort zone.

Parisian women have such an effortless way of styling, mixing vintage pieces with modern staples in a way that feels both cool and timeless. I’ve always been interested in vintage, but being in Paris has really opened my eyes to it. There’s so much access to incredible designer vintage, and it’s made me much more intentional with how I shop.

I now pay attention to fabric, quality, and longevity rather than just trends. More than anything, Paris has taught me to really lean into my own personal style, experiment more, and draw inspiration from simply observing people and street style.

5. What are your current staple beauty items you couldn’t leave the house without? 

Definitely my Dior Lip Glow Oil in Berry, my NYX Duck Plump Lip Liner, and the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry. Those three are always in my bag!!

6. You also spent time living in Milan during an exchange semester. How did that chapter compare to Paris?

Milan was such a special chapter of my life, I wouldn’t change anything about it. It was my first experience living abroad alone and moving to Europe, and I had no idea at the time how much it would change my life.

Back then, my life was all about travelling every weekend, meeting new people, and getting my first exposure to the fashion scene. But there was also a lot of uncertainty around what would come next, especially in terms of my career after graduating.

Paris feels like a completely different phase. It was a much bigger shift, moving here without knowing anyone, navigating a new language, and really building a life from scratch. It was one of the most challenging periods of growth for me, but also the most rewarding. That resilience led me to deepen my love for the city, pursue content creation more seriously, continue my studies at a Master’s level, and eventually land my role at Parfums Christian Dior.

7. Are there any emerging designers in Paris that have caught your attention recently?

Not necessarily emerging, but I’ve really been drawn to brands like Alaïa, Schiaparelli, Max Mara, and Bottega Veneta.

Being in Paris has shifted my perspective. I’ve started to appreciate brands more for their history, craftsmanship, and design rather than just the name. Watching these houses during fashion week, especially, you really see how each collection becomes a form of art.

8. You’ve grown over the last two months from 8K to 21K on Instagram alone. What’s that been like for you? Has it changed the way you show up online at all, and are there any exciting content or brand opportunities you have coming up?

It’s honestly been incredible to see. I think what surprised me most was how much people resonated with my career journey, especially since I still feel like I’m figuring things out myself.

I’ve always loved Instagram, so it felt really rewarding after a period of slower growth, even though I was consistently posting. It’s definitely made me feel more confident in being vulnerable online, sharing more of my daily life, my vlogs, even things like practicing my French.

I feel like I’ve built such a genuine and supportive community, and I’m really excited to keep growing it and exploring new content formats and opportunities.

9. Do you have any go-to spots in Paris right now? Date night, girls’ dinners, or for a glass of wine after work?

I love Les Enfants Sauvages for wine and nibbles, perfect for a girls’ night or a date. And Chez Émilie is one of my go-to cosy French bistros for a classic date night.

Both feel a bit more local, which I love, amazing food, great atmosphere, and the staff are always so kind.

10. Is there anything else you’d like to share with Remix readers?

Honestly, just try everything you’ve ever dreamed of doing.

I still remember making my first TikTok during lockdown and almost giving up so many times because I was scared of what people would think or of failing. But not taking action is genuinely the biggest mistake you can make.

Everything compounds over time. As long as you believe in yourself, and stay a little bit delulu, anything is possible.