From Traditional Hanbok Elements to The Future of K-Fashion — Final Recap on 2022 SS Seoul Fashion Week
The past week of October 7-15 was all about the collaboration between 600 years of Seoul's cultural heritage and modern K-Fashion on the digital runway of the 2022 Spring Summer Seoul Fashion Week. The 100% pre-produced fashion films showed us the diversity of Korean fashion and the amazing duality of past and future coexisting in one space. The locations included Seoul’s royal palaces and modern venues, and served as great backgrounds for the collections that walked us through traditional hanboks to future space era’s fashion-forward outfits. Here is our recap of the last day of the digital Seoul Fashion Week closing with the exciting finale by Korea’s first vegan fashion brand, VEGAN TIGER.
The last digital runway was followed by a final musical performance at Deoksugung Palace. Lee Heemoon OBSG, known for their experimental fusion of various genres based on Gyeonggi folk songs, was the perfect show to take a look back at the past week filled with “Seoul’s Past, Present, and Future.”
BIG PARK — Big Park Garden
Big Park Garden is a space where wild grass and wildflowers bloom vibrantly and naturally. These small, soft-curved floral artworks are mixed into modern, urban, and genderless looks for the upcoming spring/summer collection introduced by BIG PARK. The garden-inspired motifs and the contrasting straight lines and silhouettes all express the romantic sensibility of unknown flowers blooming in the cracks of concrete. The designer made flower prints and flower-like silhouettes work in a way that even Miranda Priestly would approve of.
rinjeon — STATUE
We wouldn’t be able to find a more fitting name for this collection even if we tried. Everything about this line screams feminine and luxurious; some pieces quite literally with their statue prints. The collection features simple but elegant pieces that express feminine beauty in a comfortable yet chic way with the use of high-quality silk materials and prints produced in Jinju, Korea.
CARUSO — Spring of Changdeokgung Palace
CARUSO took direct inspiration from the location of its digital runway. Changdeokgung Palace, the only palace that still remains intact, is a proud monument of Korea’s history. Walking through the landmark, the designer believes we can feel the loneliness and sense of crisis of the king at that time. But spring is coming, and with its warm sun we can walk happily. Imagine a historical drama set in a luxurious modern fashionista world—that is exactly what both this collection and fashion film embody. Taking traditional elements and turning them into something unexpected and fresh, this runway was one of the highlights of this fashion week, perfectly fitting the theme of “Seoul's Past, Present, and Future.”
MINA CHUNG — 廻
“The beginning of spring is facing the end of winter / The end of summer embraces the beginning of autumn.” The MINA CHUNG clothing brand selects a different Chinese character for each season to build a modern, reimagined collection around it inspired by oriental beauty and art. This season the character is 廻, meaning “rotation.” Can we really draw a line between the cyclical seasons? They coexist and intertwine. This spring/summer collection brings this cycle to life through its silhouette, textile style, and styling. Because all pieces are incredibly bold, they’re unlikely to become part of your everyday wear, but the collection does feel very artistic and unique in a fashion-forward way.
VEGAN TIGER — Earthling Fashion Show
The conclusion of the 2022 Spring Summer Seoul Fashion Week is none other than Korea’s first vegan fashion brand, VEGAN TIGER. Their upcoming collection tells the story of diversity and coexistence based on the neuromantic mood of the 1980s under the theme of an Earthling Fashion Show. The android glam and funky feminine looks combine comic, renaissance-style, and pop art graphics. One of most memorable collections includes images of cats with wings, the designers' way of giving stray cats the opportunity to fly away and avoid cars on the roads. As a vegan brand, the collection uses various sustainable materials including wine leather, vegetable leathers, recycled materials, and eco-fur. The collection shows diversity both in style and color. There will definitely be something for everyone regardless of gender.
You can catch up on all fashion shows and performances on Seoul Fashion Week’s official YouTube Channel: