The global popularization of Korean culture, often referred to as the “hallyu” wave, may have started with K-pop, K-dramas and foods like kimchi, but now that’s extending to Seoul-based clothing brands that have been spreading the country’s fashion sensibilities to a global audience.
From edgy (and affordable) street style to upscale luxury brands gracing Fashion Week runways and magazine editorial pages—and everything in between—Korean fashion brands have commanded international attention. Even the mecca of fashion events, New York Fashion Week, includes a Concept Korea runway, where brands like KYE have seen success, signing multiple business deals with New York showrooms, per The Korea Herald.
Not to mention, fashion-forward celebrities like Rihanna have been spotted wearing brands like Gentle Monster. Plus, major global retailers like Shopbop feature Korean designers and NET-A-PORTER, which debuted its extensive “Korean Collective” last fall, are stocking Korean fashion brands online. “There is something unique coming from this youthful culture that is appealing to the global customer–whether it’s the interesting styling, the streetwear trend or the mix of high and low which are all so prevalent on the streets of Seoul, ” NET-A-PORTER's global buying director, Elizabeth von der Goltz, said in a statement.
Korean Fashion Brands You Probably Haven't Heard Of Yet
's fashion market & accessories director Robin Nazzaro as well as senior fashion & accessories editor Paula Lee for their favorite up-and-coming Korean fashion brands that should be on every fashionista’s radar.
Korea’s answer to popular brands like Uniqlo, 8seconds offers affordable, simple everyday wear for both men and women that looks modern and fresh. From cute flower-knit cardigans to graphic T-shirts, this Korean brand makes casual weekend dressing that much easier.
, designer Minju Kim had a chance to introduce her eponymous brand to a global market, including the opportunity to be stocked on NET-A-PORTER. Kim, who has created world tour costumes for the boy band BTS, brings a unique sense of playfulness and joy to her couture designs.
Korean Clothing Brands: Best Korean Fashion Labels
Sunglass brand in Korea, and from there, it expanded globally at a rapid pace. Celebrities including Rihanna, Billie Eilish, Hailey Bieber, Lil Nas X, Jennie from the K-pop group Blackpink, and more have all been spotted sporting Gentle Monster. “For statement eyewear, they hit all the trends from sleek cat eyes to translucent colored lenses, ” says Lee.
“Andersson Bell is a Seoul-based label that blends Korean style with a minimalist Scandinavian sensibility, ” explains Nazzaro. “This collection is crafted with beautiful, high-quality fabrics and offers silhouettes that have an unconventional twist, that are both timeless and modern.”
“High heels aren’t really practical for my lifestyle, but I prefer a little height, ” notes Lee, who says she loves Yuul Yie’s shoes for their “architectural block heels and unique shapes.” If you're looking to add a unique, fun shoe to your wardrobe, Yuul Yie’s unexpected color combinations, trendy designs, and geometric accents will definitely fit the bill.
Who Are Top Clothing Brands In South Korea?
Designer Kim Young Jin crafts ethereal, feminine, modern reimaginations inspired by traditional Korean clothing like the hanbok. Using a gorgeous array of colors—from muted pastels, to florals to bright yellows—Kim mixes modern materials and traditional fabrics to create a unique sense of emotion in her clothes.
Founded in 2013, the name IMVELY is a combination of the phrase “I'm lovely.” True to name, the brand offers a wide range of affordable clothing (as well as beauty and accessories) that will tempt you to add multiple things to your cart. “I love the mix of trendy fashion pieces—cute floral dresses, sweet cardigans, sweatshirts, and jean jackets—that won’t break the bank, ” says Nazzaro.
Featuring modern womenswear designs that could be worn to the office, Maison Marais is on Nazzaro’s list of Korean fashion brands to watch. Showcasing beautiful tailoring, pleated accents, a muted color palette, and menswear inspired looks, the brand designs clothing that’s fashion-forward but still easy to wear.
Melbourne's 6 Best Korean Fashion And Beauty Stores
“This designer truly understands how to use color and prints, which is a real skill, ” says Nazzaro. “Her designs are casual but street-style cool, and she has developed a celebrity following including major K-pop stars G-Dragon and CL, along with Rihanna, Hailey Bieber, and Bella Hadid.”
Stocked at some of the largest luxury shopping malls in South Korea, J.Chung describes its aesthetic as the “attractiveness of imperfection.” What piqued Nazzaro’s interest in this brand is that it offers “affordable, seasonless wardrobe staples that have an unconventional twist.”
One of South Korea’s most popular fashion labels and “a good brand to keep on the radar” according to Nazzaro, KUHO offers a minimalist and sleek approach to clothing, shoes, and accessories—all made in Korea using its own fabric mills. Nazzaro particularly loves how KUHO “experiments with proportion, draping techniques, and layering, offering a fresh perspective on everyday pieces.”
Korean Celebs Who Are Ambassadors Of Designer Brands
Launched in 2012 by Korean-born designer Goen Jong, her namesake fashion line has been getting international attention—even Rihanna has sported one of her designs. “What I love about her collection is the balance of modern, structural design with a delicate, romantic sensibility, ” says Nazzaro. “Her pieces truly add something special to your wardrobe.”
WE11DONE was created by lifelong friends Dami Kwon and Jessica Jung as the in-house line of Rare Market, their buzzy concept store in the Gangnam neighborhood of Seoul, South Korea. Since its launch in 2016, the collection has expanded to major global retailers including NET-A-PORTER, Saks, and SSENSE. “Their approach to design has been genderless, ” notes Nazzaro. “I love their oversize but not shapeless cuts. The collection draws inspiration from fashion of the past decades but reinterpreted in a modern and fashion-forward way.”
Comfy and Cool Travel Pants for Your Next Getaway Presented by Chico's The O List: Back to School Tummy-Control Shapewear, Tried and Tested These Workout Sets Will Get You Moving
Why Are Korean Designers Killing It Right Now?
The Best Workout Shorts for an Active Summer The Best Wireless Support Bras The Best Cargo Pants for Utilitarian Chic Worry-Free Waterproof Sneakers for Women
15 Stylishly Versatile Workout Dresses Add Barbie-Pink Pieces to Your Wardrobe Plus-Size Blazers to Instantly Look Put Together The 12 Best Orthopedic ShoesIt may sound repetitive at this point, but Korean fashion deserves so much more of the spotlight. While Seoul may not be cemented as a bona fide member of the big four like Paris, London, Milan, and New York just yet, the influx of talent emerging the city is certainly making a case for its inclusion. What sets Korean fashion apart as its own brand of unique fashion flavor is its propensity for experimentation and the unconventional. While there's no shortage of Korean brands that stick to the classic aesthetic, and do it well, the latest crop of rising stars catching the industry's attention all have their own unique spin.
Thanks in part to retailers like W Concept, Net-a-Porter, and MatchesFashion, the creativity of South Korea's design community has been able to reach all over the globe. Today, we're showcasing eight Korean fashion labels to put on your radar—especially if you enjoy the thrill of unearthing new cool brands to shop. If you claim to be in the know when it comes to this industry, then you'll want to get really familiar with them.
Luxury Korean Fashion Brands You Need To Know About
The buzzy new brand on the block, TheOpen Product has recently emerged as a fashion-crowd favorite, appearing on everyone from Kendall Jenner to Instagram It girl Matilda Djerf. The label makes great knits, but like most of its pieces, it's far from conventional. Think of bold cutouts and vibrant colors in tonal shades that really pop. Among the brand's signature pieces is an oversize bomber jacket that I personally had saved in my tabs for weeks.
Combine edgy with a dash of sophistication and you'll get South Korean brand Andersson Bell. Launched in 2014, the label melds the Scandinavian fashion aesthetic with trend-forward Korean sensibilities. After laying eyes on its black-and-brown color-block skirt last year, I couldn't stop bookmarking everything else from the collection. With an Asics collab and Net-a-Porter partnership under its belt, Andersson Bell is primed for an even bigger international presence.
Fashion girl–approved label Osoi is already a name to know within editor circles, and we're sure you too will love its modern twist on classic shoes and handbags. Lifting its name for the Japanese word for slow, the word perfectly sums up Osoi's approach of thoughtfully created accessories that never go out of style. We're not talking about your typical tote bag or satchel—each design feels thoroughly fresh like its puffy platform slides or moon-shaped bag. At the same time, the designs aren't so gimmicky that they're irrelevant after a season.
Korean Indie Fashion: Why Is It So Popular? (6 Brands For Inspiration)
Taking couture to new imaginative heights is Paris-based label Kimhekim. After studying and working at Balenciaga in the French city, designer Kiminte Kimhekim used his skills to launch his own label. Kimhekim continually draws inspiration from his Korean upbringing, as evidenced in his work, for instance updating the traditional Hanbok with voluminous multicolored tulle. A visit to the designer's Instagram page is like a feast for the eyes, offering a glimpse into Kimhekim's dynamic workshop of intricate couture creations.
I've never been to Seoul, but a destination always on my list if I ever travel to the city has been Rare Market. A cool designer boutique à la Dover Street Market and Opening Ceremony (R.I.P), the store was started by Dami Kwon and Jessica Jung, opening in the Gangnam district. Fast forward to a couple of years later, and now the duo has set off on another venture, creating the punk-meets-streetwear brand We11done. Still pumping out seasonal
0 komentar
Posting Komentar