Seoul fashion opts for wearable and practical designs
Models, designers, fashionistas and celebrities descended on the newly opened Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Park to take note of Korea’s hottest fashion trends for the upcoming 2015 spring and summer season, as the six-day extravaganza of runway shows kicked off Friday.
Seoul Fashion Week, a biannual fashion festival in its 15th year, opened to a large crowd from home and abroad with menswear collections on Friday and Saturday. Both top and up-and-coming Korean designers are presenting 85 fashion shows inside the futuristic and curvilinear building during the week.
Emerging and leading menswear designers, presented easy, wearable and practical collections in step with the industry tendency to set increasing footlights on menswear. The following are some of the two-day highlights of menswear collections.
Jung Du-young of VanHart di Albazar took the opening runway stage of the festival with his signature brand concept, which combines Neoclassicism in the mid-18th century and classic Italian style together to craft modern and chic style. Inspired by Italian futurist painter Giacomo Balla, models presented his brightly colored, clean cut looks under the main theme ‘the coexistence of the present and the future.’
The designer’s collection of easy streetwears characterized by light and fun colors included bright blue jackets and orange trench jackets.
Actress Clara stunned the audience in the finale of Jung’s runway by revealing her midriff in a dark blue organza shirt and a shoulder-robed extra-long suit jacket.
Actress Clara walks the catwalk at VanHart di Albazar show (Yoon Byung-chan/The Korea Herald) |
Under the theme of high school gangs, the designer showcased varsity jackets with an embroidered tattoo on the back, patchwork leather blazers and basketball jerseys to add to the street and sporty looks.
Singer Kang Seung-yoon walks the runway at Beyond Closet show (Seoul Fashion Week) |
“Ko definitely displayed his manga and bad boy image this season,” commented a Korean fashion reporter during the show. “His clothes are very casual and fun, which are popular with the younger generation.”
Kimseoryong (Seoul Fashion Week) |
Kim has added a feminine touch to his retro tailoring, from a color palette ranging from achromatic colors to light pink and dark burgundy, giving a sweet spring look. A loosely fit trouser and a light silk shirt made his classic line of suits comfortable yet effortlessly stylish.
Cy Choi (Seoul Fashion Week) |
Resurrection (Seoul Fashion Week) |
“Korean clothes are really popular in Hong Kong,” said a buyer from Hong Kong, who owns shops in Beijing and Shanghai, during the show. “The simple and chic styles of Korean menswear are loved by many, especially Cy Choi and Resurrection.”
Seoul Fashion Week runs through Oct. 22 at DDP in central Seoul. For lineups of fashion shows and details, visit www.seoulfashionweek.org
By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)