Concept Korea IV Spring 2012– New York Fashion Week Review

Korean design has slowly made an inroad into New York, and it all started with the Concept Korea designer collectives that began four seasons ago.  Some designers from past seasons, such as Son Jung Wan and Parkchoonmoo, now have solo shows as part of the official Fall 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week schedule.  Others are veterans of other Fashion Weeks around the world, such as the duo of Steve J. and Yoni P. who showed at the London Spring 2010 collections.

For its fourth edition, Concept Korea featured the following designers in a presentation style: Son Jung Wan (who also held her second New York solo runway show later in the week), Lie Sang Bong, Steve J. and Yoni P., Doho, and Resurrection by Juyoung.  Although an understandably mixed bag in terms of aesthetics and styling with five very different design sensibilities, the collective represented South Korea’s continuing evolution in the world of fashion.  Lie Sang Bong used psychedelic shimmering neon space age cuts inspired by traditional Korean fashion, with killer matching fan clutches.  Doho chose a more ethereal route, with asymmetrical layered piles of tulle and other fabrics dominating.  Juyoung presented the only men’s collection of the five, combining color with semi-formal dress shirts.  Son Jung Wan chose to exhibit some additional looks that were not a part of her solo runway show; her commercially appealing womenswear is much better suited to this presentation format than on the catwalk.  Finally, Steve J. and Yoni P. channeled the ‘70s with their capsule collection, with flower power prints and tie-dyed dresses.

The fifth Concept Korea design collective show takes place at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on Feb. 10, 2012, at Lincoln Center in New York.

Photos: Concept Korea IV – Spring 2012
all photos by Kwai Chan