Category: Fashion

  • The Top 5 Iconic BTS Styles throughout the Years

    The Top 5 Iconic BTS Styles throughout the Years

    Fashion and K-pop go hand in hand. Tons of idols have sponsorships with various fashion companies and many even get their clothing sent to them for the sole purpose of fans seeing the outfits. Though BTS has stated before that they’re not one to do that—which still stands true, because BTS talk about buying new outfits for airport photos all of the time—there are still many iconic BTS styles. There are many individual looks for each member, but what we’ll focus on in this blog are the iconic looks for the entire group. Hold on, because you might be blown away by BTS’ best looks throughout the years.

    BTS style fashion from festa 2021
    Image from BTS’ Weverse

    Iconic BTS Styles #1: Dior

    Probably one of the most iconic BTS styles has to be from their Love Yourself: Speak Yourself World Tour. This look, designed by Kim Jones with Dior, is mostly black with various colored jackets—usually a darker color or a white/gray color. Throughout the fandom, this look is known as the Dior Look.

    BTS Style Dior outfits
    Image Source

    Amongst all of the members, this look is probably the most talked about with member j-hope and the rest of the rap-line. The rap-line are the first ones seen with these outfits during the tour when they performed their unit song “Outro: Tear.”

    RM Suga j-hope dior outfits
    Image from BTS’ Facebook

    Iconic BTS Styles #2: 2020 New Year’s Rockin’ Eve

    For the 2020 Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, BTS was able to perform in Times Square for the first time. Not only were BTS excited for this, but ARMY were as well. This performance meant a lot throughout the fandom. And when the boys showed up in amazing outfits, we couldn’t help but love it more. Not only did they wear amazing outfits for the performance, but they also wore amazing outfits for the rehearsals. That’s why we’re including both outfits in this list.

    Rehearsal Outfits
    New Year's Rockin' Eve Rehearsal Outfits BTS style
    Image from BTS’ Facebook

    During the rehearsals for the New Year’s show, BTS rolled up in comfortable, warm, and stylish outfits. Out of everyone, j-hope’s outfit has been mentioned the most. His long, patterned jacket fit so well with the rest of his outfit that we couldn’t help but love it.

    And Suga’s long, black coat with his black newsboy-style hat is another favorite throughout the fandom. Like many other fashion pieces Suga has enjoyed, this hat stayed consistent in his outfits for the year following.

    You can watch this BTS Episode the group released afterwards and take a better look at both outfits!

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxu7et015mo[/embedyt]

    Performance Outfits
    New Year's Rockin' Eve 2020
    Image from BTS’ Twitter

    A few hours after the rehearsals, BTS rolled back up to Times Square wearing their performance outfits. Each outfit consisted of black and white and possibly some sparkles. Members V and RM rocked long coats while the rest wore blazer-style jackets.

    Jimin, who wore a solid black outfit, had one of the shinier jackets of the bunch. It quickly became a favorite item throughout the fandom when it accidentally got hooked over Jimin’s head during the performance. And Suga wore one of the few patterned items throughout the rest of the group.

    You can check out BTS’ performance of “Boy With Luv” here:

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbibhcTvNlU[/embedyt]

    Iconic BTS Styles #3: “Blood, Sweat, & Tears”

    Now, we’ve seen a lot of amazing outfits for BTSmusic videos. Including the outfits from “DNA,” “Not Today,” and “ON.” But there’s one music video outfit that has its rightful place on our iconic BTS styles list. “Blood, Sweat, & Tears” from 2016.

    The “Blood, Sweat, & Tears” (BST) era is one of the greats. Not only did it bring a sexier look to the members, but it also brought silk outfits, fabric chokes, and low-cut shirts. This look is iconic because of the sexy style and amazing fits for each of the members.

    Blood Sweat and Tears Era BTS styles
    Image from BTS’ Facebook

    J-hope, once again, is the member often talked about with this outfit. His matching jacket and choker combo created quite the stir within the fandom (especially since he’s in the front during one of the sexier dance moves).

    Jimin’s outfit is also quite popular because of his jacket-shoulder slip during the music video. When dancing his part, Jimin’s jacket “accidentally”—or so he says… as it slips again and again—slips off his shoulder. From then on, it’s been a running joke throughout the fandom that Jimin never wears his jackets correctly.

    You can watch the music video for “Blood, Sweat, & Tears” and see the outfits in their full glory here:

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmE9f-TEutc[/embedyt]

    Iconic BTS Styles #4: Incheon Airport 161201

    On December 1, 2016, BTS went to Hong Kong for the 2016 MAMAs. At the airport, news photographers were waiting to capture BTS’ outfits. Compared to some other airport fashion from the group, this specific date is one where all of BTS wore iconic styles.

    BTS Style Incheon Airport 161201
    Image Source

    Out of the entire group, Jin and j-hope had a couple of statement pieces. Jin wore a pink jacket and j-hope wore a black and white patterned scarf.

    Jin and j-hope 161201 incheon airport
    Image Source

    V, RM, Jungkook, and Suga wore all-black outfits. Jungkook and Suga especially garnered a lot of attention with this look because of their nearly matching, leather jackets and black skinny jeans. Jimin wore a long black coat over a dark red sweater.

    RM V Suga from Incheon Airport 161201
    Image Source

    Each member looks beyond amazing, so there’s no surprise that it’s still a favorite BTS style after all these years.

    Jimin and Jungkook Incheon Airport 161201
    Image Source

    Iconic BTS Styles #5: the Grammys 2020

    The first time BTS appeared on the Grammy stage was in 2020 for their joint performance with Lil Nas X. RM did a collaboration with Lil Nas X on “Seoul Town Road,” a remix of his popular song “Old Town Road.”

    Both BTS’ red carpet outfits and their performance outfits dropped ARMY’s jaws.

    Red Carpet Outfits
    Grammys 2020 Red Carpet
    Image from BTS’ Twitter

    With dark slacks, turtle necks, and various long jackets, BTS rolled up to the 2020 Grammys red carpet with style. These outfits brought a sophisticated, yet simple look to the group and proved that they didn’t need any extravagant clothes to turn heads.

    A few days after the 2020 Grammys took place, BTS released a behind-the-scenes episode on YouTube. You can watch this video to get a better look at each of their outfits as they prepare for the show.

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiuQ1cGGwOA[/embedyt]

    Performance Outfits
    Grammys 2020 Performance BTS style
    Image from BTS’ Twitter

    For their performance, BTS slicked back their hair and changed into casual yet stylish attire. Unfairly attractive attire. RM shocked ARMY with his jean jacket, white button-up, and sunglasses look. On stage, this outfit looked astounding.

    V also grabbed attention with his black and white patterned shirt and matching headband. With this look, he commanded the stage and looked good while doing it.

    You can watch this performance here:

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9Vjvz1NPN8[/embedyt]

    Honorable Mentions

    The 2019 Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet:

    BTS Style BBMAs 2019 Red Carpet
    Image from BTS’ Twitter

    Lastly, the 2017 American Music Awards Red Carpet:

    AMAs 2017 red carpet
    Image Source

    From all of these, which iconic BTS styles were your favorite? Did some of your favorites make the cut? BTS has far too many iconic styles to list them all, so we might have missed a few. If you want to dress like BTS, check out the video below!

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtnOM0d_td4[/embedyt]

     

    If you’re enjoying BTS Week with us here at KWorld Now, we’ve got more posts still to come! And if you haven’t checked out the posts we’ve already released, you can head to our Blog Page and find them. If you want to know which post we’re releasing on which day, you can check out this schedule we put out last week.

    I hope you’re enjoying BTS Week as much as we are. Have a Happy Festa ARMY!

  • Plus-Size Women in Korea

    Plus-Size Women in Korea

    Plus-size in many parts of the world has made a breakthrough over recent years in the clothing industry. As of Western countries, people are seeing more size-inclusivity in both advertising and clothing. However, when thinking about plus-size people or models, Korea might be the last country to think of to have any.

    Korea’s Obesity Rates

    Do note, Korea scores amongst the lowest in the world’s obesity rates.

    Interestingly, Korea has the majority of its population on the thinner side.

    Obesity rate chart
    Image from OECD

    For instance, 4% of Korean adults fall into the obesity section, and 30% into the overweight section.

    This is a huge difference.

    Comparing these scores to the US, where 37.7% of adults are obese and 32.5% are overweight.

    Now, at an early age, Korean parents, as well as in school, teach the youth about health and healthy eating habits.

     

    obesity education bar graph
    Image from OECD

    Although this is a great way of promoting healthy habits, it can also cause unhealthy thinking.  

    To clarify, a saying amongst Koreans is women should weight no more than 110 lbs.

    Women over 110lbs might be considered fat and unattractive.

    This way of thinking can bring unhealthy eating habits, and bullying from others.

    Hardships of Plus-Size

    You can say Korea is not made for overweight people.

    Koreans tend to be straightforward with one another and will often tell an overweight person to lose weight by recommending nutritionists, exercises, and traditional medicine.

    Plus-Size Women in Korea
    Image from Korean Fashion Trends

    They might even ignore the fact that a plus-size person feels comfortable in their body. There is pressure in the community to lose weight and follow unrealistic beauty standards.

    In the same way, plus-size people can have a hard time finding a job. When applying for a job in Korea, most companies require a face picture. For this reason, employers can make an early judgment on the person; affecting their chances for an interview.

    Korean resume
    Image from Metropolitician

    In most cases, plus-size Koreans in their communities are seen as unhealthy and lazy because of their size. They are outcasts rejected by their society.

    On a brighter note, this is changing. With social media, as well as feminist and body positivity groups, platforms are changing for the better.

    Korean Sizing

    Korean size is different from western sizing.

    How so?

    In Korea, clothes sizes range small, medium, large, and then there is one-size or free-size.

    Whereas in the U.S, stores carry sizes like small, medium, large, and up to triple large.

    Korean apparel size chart
    Image from TripZilla

    One-size (or free-size) is a very common size to see in most non-commercial stores (or street stores) in Korea. For the most part, one-size articles of clothing are made out of stretchy material.

    Plus size shopping in Korea
    Image from TravelingNat_Youtube

    However, this stretchy material does not mean it will fit all sizes. In most cases, one-size is small and is a U.S women size 6.

    Furthermore, plus-size in Korea starts at a U.S women size 14. Whereas in the U.S, plus-size starts at size 16. 

    Saying this, finding plus-size clothes in Korea is not easy and can be somewhat impossible. Due to this reason, plus-size women shop online on international websites.

    Korean Plus-Size Fashion

    Since plus-size clothes are somewhat non-existent in stores, sellers tend to turn away the client before they walk in.

    Korean plus-size women shop in American-brand stores like H&M, Forever21, Uniqlo, and Zara in hopes to find something their size.

    However, if all fails, online shopping helps. Now, things are changing, and for the better.

    JStyle Clothing

    Recently, a new Korean clothing line has approached the market. This company brings fashionable clothes in a wide variety of sizes.

    And yes, it is a Korean company.

    Jstyle Fasion
    Image from TheKoreaTimes

    Jstyle promotes plus-size ladies in their campaigns, making it the first Korean brand to do so. They are setting the standards as to how companies should handle their retails.

    Jstyle promotes body positivity by being inclusive and shining the light on body acceptance.

    The clothing sizes range from U.S size 8 to 20 (or M to 4XL) in tops and bottoms.

    Do note, they are the first company to have Korean plus-size models.

    And although this company is mainly online, they do occasionally have pop-up shops around Korea.

    Korean Plus-Size Celebrities and Models

    Before Korean plus-size models and social media, many Korean viewers would only see overweight people as comedians and occasionally actors. On many occasions, these comedians would be ridicule on TV for their weight. This is shown with b-rolls emphasizing the amount of food the person is eating, as well as the snarky comments or facial expressions from other actors.

    Tasty guys
    Image from Naver Blog

    Big-size people are also mock in Asian dramas. A typical scenario is a plus-size girl struggling because of her weight but becomes happier and lucky after being skinny.

    The depiction of plus-size people on TV is not very friendly.

    But this changes when talking about plus-models. Korean plus-size models are beautiful, joyful, and most importantly happy with themselves in pictures. This new way of seeing big-bone ladies will help, young girls feel more comfortable with their bodies.

    Artist and models:

    이국주
    Image from Naver Blog

    Lee Guk-Joo, age 33, is a comedian and actress. You can see Guk-Joo in Roommate, Running Man, and currently in I Live Alone. She is very playful and is one of the few female plus-size comedians seen on television.

    Hong Yoon-Hwa
    Image from Naver Blog

    Hong Yoon-Hwa, age 32, is a comedian and actress. Yoon-Hwa has a bubbly and adorable personality. She takes parts in Wok of love, People Looking for a Laugh, Running Man, and The Miracle. When playing the main character in the Miracle, the struggle to begin plus-size is very present. All while learning how to get rid of a spell, she learns that loves herself for who she is. 

    Ha Jae-Suk
    Image from Naver Blog

    Ha Jae-Suk is a plus-size actress in the K-drama industry. She is in dramas like Perfume, Birth of a Beauty, and My Absolute Boyfriend. Jae-Suk talks about her struggles in being a big size actress with getting frequent criticism.

    Taylor Tak
    Image from Next Shark

    Taylor Tak is one of the pioneers of plus-size models in Korea. Taylor features on Cosmopolitan Korea and Queen Size Magazine. You can also see her modeling in Romwe and Fashion Nova. Taylor is an advocate for body positivity, especially in Korea.

    Gayoung Jun
    Image from Starnow

    Gayoung Jun is redefining beauty by being a plus-size model in Korea. She is a former taekwondo professional, now modeling lingerie. She features in Korea’s Bling and Marie Claire magazines. And in 2018, Gayoung was in the New York Fashion Week. Admittedly knowing there are scarce opportunities for plus-size models in Korea, she plans to continue her career to make a change. 

    For more blogs like this:
  • MINJUKIM – The Latest South Korean Fashion Brand

    MINJUKIM – The Latest South Korean Fashion Brand

    South Korea has become the leader of pop culture, such as entertainment, tourism, and of course, fashion. MINJUKIM is the newest South Korean fashion brand you should be on the lookout for in 2021. 

    Not only did she appear on the hit Netflix competition show, Next In Fashion, designer Kim Minju also designed the tour outfits for BTS. Aside from Kim’s personal clothing store, her collections are also stocked on Net-A-Porter. But before getting into her success, let’s talk more about the designer behind MINJUKIM.

    Who is Kim Minju?

    Kim Minju
    Image Source

    Kim studied in New Zealand as a teenager. Her original passion was becoming a cartoonist. However, her parents encouraged her to study fashion design in South Korea. She first studied design at the Samsung Art & Design Institute and got her master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium. 

    In 2013, Kim won the grand prize at the H&M Design Award. The purpose of the award is to promote young designers and help them navigate the competitive fashion world as they establish their own brands. Kim launched her fashion brand MINJUKIM in 2015. Her sister helps her with internal operations. She works hard to release a new collection every year. On top of designing, Kim also teaches fashion design classes at Kookmin University, a private university in Seoul

    MINJUKIM Aesthetic

    Net-A-Porter described MINJUKIM as a youthful playfulness mixed with haute couture fashion brand. Kim is best known for combining feminine physiques with bold and daring elements to help her clients feel fearless. 

    MINJUKIM
    Image Source
    kim minju
    Image Source
    kim minju
    Image Source

    In an interview with AnOther, Kim said, “I always wish for people to feel my happiness when they see my collection. Sharing my emotions through fashion is my dream.” It’s no wonder that there’s always a pop of color, fun patterns, and flattering silhouettes in her collections. 

    Asian culture is also a big inspiration for her designs. In another interview with CNA Luxury, Kim said, “It is really interesting how Asian designers can combine their culture and story into their collections – the color and traditional shape result in a beautiful aesthetic. When they show their roots, they express more unique concepts. This is how we offer a different point of view.” One of her goals in life is to help introduce the fashion industry to talented Asian designers that can’t get the necessary exposure. 

    Journey Across the Sea

    Next In Fashion
    Image Source

    Kim made her TV debut in 2020 on Next In Fashion, a fashion competition series produced by Netflix. The show was hosted by tan France and Alex Chung, prominent figures in the fashion world. Kim was among 18 designers competing for the chance to win $250,000 USD to expand their brand and have their collection featured on Net-A-Porter. Kim stated in interviews during the show that she hoped to use the money for MINJUKIM and make her sister proud.

    Each week, designers were tasked with creating a new outfit to match the theme of the week, like red carpet, swimwear, etc. At the end of the week, the two hosts picked a winner and eliminated two designers. During the first few weeks, Kim teamed with designer Angel Chen to form a duo, dubbed “Dragon Princesses.” 

    In the season finale, Kim and fellow contestant Daniel Fletcher had to create an entire collection in three days to present at the final runway. The judges were impressed with Kim’s creativity as well as her authenticity to stay true to her brand. The global buying director of Net-A-Porter as well as other celebrity judges named Kim the winner of Next In Fashion and awarded the $250,000 USD. 

    Her latest collections are still featured on Net-A-Porter, the largest online luxury goods retailer. It is home to some of the biggest designers in the business, such as Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Gucci, La Mer, and now, MINJUKIM

    Designing for Idols

    Prior to winning Next In Fashion, Kim has worked with K-pop groups such as BTS and Red Velvet. In 2018, she designed the stage outfits for BTS’s “DNA” and “I NEED U” for their Love Yourself tour. 

    BTS
    Image Source

    Kim has worked with Red Velvet since their single “One of These Nights”. She is also the designer for their outfits for the “Rookie” music video and promotions. Her signature bold elements were big bows and ruffles. Fans feel that her unique style matches very well with Red Velvet’s quirky and mysterious concepts. 

    Red Velvet
    Image Source

    MINJUKIM’s clothing also made a few appearances in the K-dramaIt’s Okay to Not be Okay“. Actress Seo Ye Ji named Kim one of her favorite designers. It is no surprise that she wore a few pieces in the drama.

    MINJUKIM
    Image Source
    MINJUKIM
    Image Source
    MINJUKIM
    Image Source

    The Future of MINJUKIM 

    Kim’s vision for the brand is to open it up to international consumers. In the same interview with CNA Luxury, she mused at the possibility of designing for the mass. This project could help her branch out of her usual runway and couture concept. It could also help her be more accessible to the public. MINJUKIM currently has over 500K followers on Instagram. There’s nothing stopping this South Korean fashion brand from being a household name.

    Check out her latest collection on Net-A-Porter and follow MINJUKIM Instagram for the latest update.

     

    Find out more about Korean Fashion by reading the blog or watching the video below

    Seoul Fashion Week 2021: Fall/Winter Season

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtnOM0d_td4[/embedyt]

  • 11 Clothes to Avoid in Korean Fashion

    11 Clothes to Avoid in Korean Fashion

    Milan and Paris are associated with fashion, however, no country does fashion as South Korea does. Korean fashion is a lifestyle Koreans practice everyday no matter the occasion. They dress up everyday for work, day-off, dinner, or casual outing. No matter where they are going, we can expect to see Koreans well dressed.

    Unlike western fashion culture, where women are expected to dress up and use an assortment of colors, Korean fashion is for everyone. South Korean fashion allows men to dress up for any occasion without having color restrictions. In western culture, we are taught and enforce “gendered” colors in boys and girls limiting what they can wear or not.

    South Korea opens new possibilities of what men and women can wear. However, we need to acknowledge Korean fashion is rooted in conservatism due to a time in history where president Park Chung Hee set a conservative environment that affected all aspects of their culture. Fashion being one of those aspects.

    Fashion culture in South Korea expands to many industries influencing the styles of Koreans. We can expect to see Kpop fashion to street fashion, university fashion to retro-sport fashion. But even though Koreans have many styles, there are clothing styles we need to avoid when we wear Korean fashion.

    Korean Fashion Woman

    Women fashion in Korea has different styles we can choose from and express our own individuality. However, we need to keep in mind Korean fashion has been valued in their conservatism in regards to how they present themselves physically, especially women. For Korean fashion women, there are certain clothing styles that we should avoid wearing not only out of respect but uncommon in Korean fashion to wear items with certain features.

    korean fashion basic
    Image Source

    1. Tops with Cleavage:

    Although it is becoming more acceptable with modern Korean fashion, there are still reservations about showing cleavage. Even if there are tops or blouses with cleavage, women take extra precaution generally when sitting, bending, and bowing. It is uncommon to find Korean clothing with cleavage since women are conservative in showing skin in the upper body.

    2. Backless Clothing:

    No cleavage means no backless clothing as well. There is hardly any Korean women’s clothing that reveals the backside since it is considered as bad as showing cleavage. Korean women are conservative of their upper body.

    backless clothing
    Image Source

    3. Tops Revealing Shoulders:

    Even though modern Korean fashion is accepting of revealing shoulders, we are more likely to find tops and blouses revealing only one shoulder than both. Shoulders are off-limits still when exposing upper body skin. If we decide to wear a one-shoulder top, we might consider bringing a cardigan or jacket to cover up.

    4. Bikini Swimwear:

    Bikinis are common swimwear in western cultures, however, in Korean culture women do not wear them. If you can already guess, exposure of the upper body skin does not happen with their regular clothing let alone with their swimwear. Korean women wear shorts as swimwear and opt for one-piece suits.

    5. Showing Legs Without Covering:

    A strange contraction, we know. But in Korean fashion, women are allowed to show as much leg as they want. However, they need to have a shawl or scarf to cover up their knees when they sit. Why? When we stand, mini dresses and short-shorts do not ride up as much as when we sit. Keep in mind that even if we are allowed to show leg, we still need to be modest and conservative.

    Korean Fashion Women
    GFriend interview with tvN Asia

    6. Leggings as Bottoms:

    Leggings as pants are part of western culture. In Korean fashion, women wear leggings underneath their skirts, shorts, or even pants. Even when women wear them without bottoms, they wear shirt dresses which cover them up.

    Korean Fashion Men

    Korean men's fashion
    Image Source

    Men in South Korea are fashionable! They dress to impress as women, and they know how to not shy away from colors. Although there are not many restrictions on what men can wear, there are a few pointers men should consider when wearing Korean fashion. Korean men’s clothing has some regulations.

    7. No Bold Palettes for Casual Menswear:

    Bold colors are not reserved for casual menswear. Earth tones or neutral colors are reserved for casual outings if we are looking to look chic and composed. Bold colors can be reserved for other occasions such as a festive one.

    8. Fingertip Rule for Shorts:

    As a thumb rule, men should wear shorts above the knee and to the end of their fingertips. Although women can show as much leg as they like, men have restrictions on leg exposure. Not to mention shorts are usually reserved for casual outings than they are as formal wear.

    Korean men in shorts
    Image Source

    9. Well Groomed:

    Grooming can be considered part of beauty care, however, Korean men’s fashion focuses on having a well-groomed man. By well-groomed, we mean facial hair is properly maintained and clean-cut. Some Korean men prefer to have a clean-shaven look. Grooming their facial hair is part of their men’s fashion.

    General Korean Fashion Tips:

    As we mentioned before, Korean fashion is a lifestyle. Koreans dress up for every occasion, and there are some general tips to keep in mind when wearing Korean fashion.

    10. No Matching Patterns:

    As strange as it may seem, Koreans love to mix their patterns. Korean women fashion hardly has matching tops and bottoms, since mixing patterns is part of creating our individualism and style. Korean men fashion, however, have matching patterns for suit tops and bottoms. Men are more likely to match patterns for their suits.

    11. NO Business Casual:

    A norm in western fashion culture to sport the business casual look at work is unacceptable in Korean fashion. The business environment in South Korea has dress regulations on how men and women are to present themselves to work. Women in general should wear closed shoes, skirts, or suit pants. Where men wear suits or proper business attire.

    Korean women business fashion
    Image Source

    Even though there are some restrictions for women and me in Korean fashion, it is ever-changing. And with kpop idols influencing culture, they are also paving their own fashion style for their industry as well. However, Korean fashion has been a way of life since before the new trends began to make way into Korean closets. Hanbok, a traditional attire, worn daily or on special occasions such as holidays or festivals. They are considered an icon in Korean culture and worn still on special occasions.

    Even though the hanbok is not worn on a daily basis, Korean fashion has conservative roots that regulate Korean women’s clothing. Upper body skin exposure is not as common in Korean fashion as it is in western culture. Fashion in Korea has to do less with exposing skin but finding our own individualism and style. After all, what we wear is the first impression we make before our actions and speaking.

    We want to have fun choosing our clothing, mixing patterns, and dressing up for all occasions. We can look as good on a day off as when we go out with friends. Do you think exposing as much leg is the same as revealing our upper body skin? Tell us in the comments below.

    To learn more about Korean fashion, check out the video below!

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC16gnIT6Jc[/embedyt]

  • Seoul Fashion Week 2021: Fall/Winter Season

    Seoul Fashion Week 2021: Fall/Winter Season

    A lot happened in this last month’s New York Fashion Week (NYFW) for Fall/Winter 2021. With trends like “witty” knits, blanket dressing, and chill pantsuits, we are in for something just as great in Seoul Fashion Week 2021 (SFW). There are even KPOP stars like TXT’s Yeonjun and WayV’s YangYang who collaborated in the Concept Korea section of NYFW. This means we may see other idols, musicians, or actors in SFW. (For a view of the full NYFW schedule, click here.)

    For those of you who may not know, SFW is a global fashion event like NYFW. It happens twice a year in Seoul, South Korea, for the Spring/Summer season (October) and the Fall/Winter season (March). And like many things in 2020 and 2021, the SFW Fall/Winter show will also happen on a digital platform for health and safety reasons from March 22-27. However, the SFW Digital Tradeshow will last through April 4th.

    Apparently, there are still moving decisions in the process for runway venues. But according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, landmarks around Seoul could serve as venues for the show.

    Seoul Fashion Week: The Actual Event

    An image of photographers outside of Dongdaemun Design Plaza for SFW.
    Photo by Tycho Atsma on Unsplash.

    According to The Korea Herald, there will be 45 fashion designers involved in this event. About 28 of them are top designers for the Seoul Collection and 17 are rookie designers for Generation Next. The tradeshow, which promotes sales through their digital retail platform, will feature about 100 brands.

    You can see on the official website (www.seoulfashionweek.org), that the Seoul Collection is the largest collection in Korea that features the top designers in the country. This is like a business event for these designers.

    You can also see that Generation Next is a collection for new and independent designers (with one to five years of experience). Generation Next is like a “new fashion designer development program” that serves as a first step through the door of the fashion industry for many talented designers.

    Designers and Brands

    On the site, you can also check out some of the designers, their profiles, and brand concepts. For example, designers like Miss Gee who also participated in the SFW Spring/Summer 2021 show in October are on the site under the Designers tab. Some of her designs entailed a sailor theme throughout her collection with red, white, or blue stripes and sailor-like collar designs.

    There are many others, but some that were featured in past shows and in the NYFW Concept Korea show are UL:KIN, JARRET, and WNDERKAMMER. TXT’s Yeonjun and musician BIBI worked with UL:KIN and WayV’s YangYang worked with JARRET in NYFW’s Fall/Winter 2021 show.

    UL:KIN came out with the LSD collection this Fall/Winter season for NYFW 2021 under Concept Korea. UL:KIN is known for its artistic upcycling, deconstruction/reconstruction, and hybridization of garments. They like to separate the old from the new and break from the traditional looks men and women may wear. In this collection, you can see this with the use of leather, chains, camo, and denim for a cool streetwear look.

    WNDERKAMMER on the other hand is much more simple and minimalistic in design and colors. For their newest collection under Concept Korea, they featured many garments in muted shades. Each outfit is simple with sophisticated silhouettes.

    Lastly, JARRET is known for its contemporary looks. This season the outfits are shades and patterns of reds, purples, pinks, and gray/black/olive-toned garments. It focused mainly on suits, trench coats, and dresses for a fresh and modern look.

    Past and Future of SFW

    An image of the Dongmaenum Design Plaza at night. The DDP usually hosts many events like the Seoul Fashion Week and more.
    Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash.

    In the year 2020, the SFW Fall/Winter week canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Before the pandemic, SFW hosted the shows in person, usually at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. This meant in-person viewing with seats near the catwalk and other in-person interactions were the norm. Now, everyone is doing everything digitally to continue business and tradition. In the future, there may possibly be more online events versus in-person events. As for different styles, it is said that in the Spring/Summer 2021 shows metallic fabrics and layering skirts/dresses over pants were spotted in both Seoul Fashion Week and European Fashion Weeks. This may be something to look out for in the up-and-coming collections and year.

    Another bold trend to be on the lookout for is the “utilitarian” look. This means cargo pockets, safety fabrics, zip closures, and other practical additions. This could be a popular trend among streetwear brands for sure!

    Viewing Seoul Fashion Week 2021

    If you want to actually watch Seoul Fashion Week events and stay up-to-date on the new trends coming out, be sure to follow them on their social media platforms. Any updates about the event will be on the website and their social media. SFW also has its own YouTube Channel where you can watch past shows and new shows when they come out.

    According to The Korea Herald, SFW gained more than 670,000 views collectively from its runway videos during the Spring/Summer 2021 fashion week in October. Don’t miss out!

    For more information on fashion trends and Korean culture, check out KWorld Now. Here is also a short video on the biggest shopping malls in Korea. Enjoy~

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTI69h0nqdc[/embedyt]

Kworld Now