20141006_seoulbeats_snsd_jessica1After breaking the news of her departure from SNSD and giving her side of the story, Jessica had apparently gone AWOL, with SM unaware of her whereabouts; the company even revealed that Jessica’s official statement was handled externally, and they had no hand in it.

Earlier today, though, we received another statement from the business venture that is said to have started it all, formerly known as Blanc. I say “formally” because:

Following the successful launch of our premier collection to a global audience, BLANC Group is proud to unveil ECLARE, the next step in the maturation of our brand. Derived from the Latin root Clara, ECLARE expresses clarity and brightness, virtues highly held by Founder and Head Designer, Jessica Jung. Her expanding vision and growth trajectory lead BLANC Group to renew and reinforce our commitment to presenting fresh, modern classic designs to the fashion industry. In that spirit, as we support Jessica in her rebirth, our brand will begin this next phase as BLANC & ECLARE.

In the coming weeks, we will be introducing new collections and partnership projects that showcase Jessica’s unfolding vision for BLANC & ECLARE. Including new designs and projects that express our most closely held values, the next steps will set us up for what’s to come in the life of our brand.

As BLANC & ECLARE prepares to helm this growth, we will be moving our global headquarters to New York this upcoming year.

Jessica Jung stated, “Although the unveiling of ECLARE was sooner than expected, I am proud to be taking BLANC & ECLARE to the next level. I am humbled by the overwhelming support this brand has received and I assure you that we will be diligent as we continually look to evolve and innovate.”

Now that Jessica’s main job is no more, she is able to devote her attention to her new label, with the name change marking a new beginning. The moving of headquarters from Hong Kong to New York is most likely so that Jessica will be able to study design in New York as she had planned while maintaining the business. How this will affect any activities she may have under SM — such as the claimed duo project with sister Krystal — remains to be seen.

With her plans for the future being accelerated, Jessica will be kept very busy; there are reasonable concerns about the success of her method of business expansion, but hopefully for her sake everything works out well.

Readers, what are your thoughts on this recent development?

(Daily Sports, Blanc & Eclare, Sports Seoul)