Korean designers captivate audiences at Seoul Fashion Week

SEOUL, March 26 (Yonhap) -- Cameras flashing and music banging, models clad in natty suits and chic winter coats strolled down the catwalk, as Seoul Fashion Week kicked off here Thursday with the South Korean capital renewing its bid to become one of the world's leading fashion hubs.

Hundreds of fashion critics, buyers, journalists and regular watchers from in and
out of the country flocked to southern Seoul, the venue of the fashion fair,
their faces flushed with anticipation.
"Seoul has grown into a delightful fashion field over the past few years," said
Michael J. Courtney, who introduced himself as a "big buyer" from London, among a
long line of people waiting to see the first show by designer Han Sang-hyuk. "I'm
looking forward to what they have to show us this season."
Buyers from more than 20 different countries will be attending the event, which
will run through April 2 at the Seoul Trade Exhibition Center (SETEC) in
Daechi-dong, southern Seoul, according to organizers.
Hoping to make some actual money out of this biannual event, organizers have
mapped out several "buyer-friendly" plans, including the "Tablet Order" service,
under which buyers are able to observe the price and other details of a
designer's brand they like via a portable laptop offered to them during the
event. Buyers will also be allowed to take a closer look at the designs in a
presentation room separate from the catwalk.
The fashion week said in a previous press release it hopes to see at least US$2.7
million in actual sales via this season's event.
But upgraded services appeared far from essential Thursday, with delightfully
cutting-edge and smart clothes doing more than enough to keep the audiences
captivated.
Adding to the delight, Kim Hyun-joong, the hero of popular TV series "Boys over
Flowers," and model-turned-actress Choi Yeo-jin drew loud applause as they
strutted down the runway presenting clothes by men's wear designers Han Sang-hyuk
and Kang Dong-jun, respectively.
Up to 72 domestic and international fashion brands have been invited to the fair,
and 39 veteran and emerging Korean designers will present their collections for
eight days from Thursday. Among the well-known brands are Andy & Debb, Bitter &
Sweet and Greenstory.
Clothing and fabric have always been something Korea has been famous for. During
the 1960s and 70s, the country had made its name with its superb textile industry
in the West.
But now it's not just about Korean textiles. Following the fame earned by veteran
designers Andre Kim, Lie Sang-bong and Lee Young-hee -- among the first
generation of local designers to be feted in fashion Mecca Paris -- in the late
70s through 80s, younger Korean-American designers such as Doo-ri Chung and
Richard Chai have been making names for themselves in New York, giving hope to
up-and-coming designers at home.
"A collective effort is necessary for Seoul to become a global fashion venue,"
said Han Sung-hee, chief of Seoul Fashion Center, one of the organizers of the
event. "We are hoping to see a substantial outcome from this season's event with
many designers given the chance to promote their designs overseas."
Fashion Week begins with two days of menswear fashion shows, featuring designers
including Chang Kwang-hyo, Park Jong-chul, Song Zio and Park Sung-chul. The
womenswear fashion shows will run for five days, featuring designers Lee
Young-hee, Son Jung-wan, Yang Yoon-jung and Cho Sung-kyong.
Young and emerging Korean fashion designers will also be given the chance to show
their work at fashion shows at off-site venues like Kring, also in southern
Seoul. Among the 10 participating brands are HA:RTOCRYON, Paul & Alice and
Instantology.
Founded in 2000, Seoul Fashion Week, the largest fashion fair in the country, is
organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Fashion Center.
Fashion, said Coco Chanel, will be "in the sky, in the streets, in the air" of
Seoul this month. For more information, visit www.seoulfashionweek.org.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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