After being canceled in 2020 because of the rising coronavirus cases in South Korea, Seoul Fashion Week is back. Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is also one of Asia’s design and fashion capitals. Seoul Fashion Week is about boosting what the city offers and the designers within it.
Globally Korean fashion has become more popular and coveted for some years now. But recognition that turns into profits is slow for most designers, and SFW is one solution. Partnering with e-commerce platforms like Trade show to connect local designers to global buyers is one example of the practical approach SFW has to boost the profitability among the designers that get to show during Fashion Week.
They have partnered with Naver’s South Korean tech giant to offer consumers shop brands from SFW online to reach more customers. The director, Jeon Mi-Kyung, stated that going into the e-commerce market was inevitable, even before Corona, which makes sense because the fashion industry has been going in that direction for a while. Naturally, one SFW, which is in one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world, would as well.
In 2021, the pandemic presented designers showcasing in SFW with opportunities, like choosing different venues around the city. A plus because it also meant Seoul is being shown off too as a tourist destination. This was possible because the fall/winter shows were digital. To highlight some Seoul Fashion week talent: here are some of the top designers that made a statement and left an impression on everyone’s mind this year.
LIE
Taking full advantage of the choices on offer with venues, Chung Lee chose the National Museum of Korea as his grand setting for the virtual show. LIE is one of the more well-known designers in South Korea. Horses inspired this season’s collection of riding—one of the standout pieces being a horse-riding crop as an accessory.
Hanacha Studios
A London of College of Fashion alumni, Hana Cha- brought dramatic silhouettes. Using prints and graphics to bring her dark romance theme to life. Hana Cha is also an academic outside of fashion, recently completing her PhD, this time opting for a local university instead of abroad.
Minju kim
 After winning Next in Fashion, on Netflix- Minju Kim has become one of the most recognizable names in South Korea. The girly designers were edgier this year, with a more graphic take on their classic designs. Some of the standout pieces from the designs being the Peter Pan collars, cardigans, and bunny ears.
Painters
After winning the H&M x London College of Fashion design award in 2015, Won Jeon known for the hilarious yet satirical take on fashion- and stood out this year again. The witty and playful designs made a statement this year, too. Using oversized pieces, which are really trendy globally right now, and lots of texture and a ray of colors, is how this collection captured everyone’s interest.Â
Pian
One of the few designers centered on men’s fashion, HyunHo Kim, captured everyone’s attention with his exposed seams and unusual tailoring. One of the eye-catching parts was the venue that was chosen, the virtual show was shot under a bridge on the Han River. This collection contained 3-piece suits, pea coats, made from denim and linen. A contrast considering this, it is formal attire—which can bore and stiff, but made with an edge.
