Seoul Fashion Week F/W 2014: Womenswear Day 1 highlights

From rubbing shoulders with K-celebs to admiring the newly-inaugurated venue (the impressive Dongdaemun Design Plaza & Park (DDP) designed by iconic architect Zaha Hadid) – this season Seoul Fashion Week has a lot to offer besides the usual great fashion.

The Korean capital which is hoping to establish itself as one of the world’s biggest fashion capitals has started with a bang last Friday and continues until Wednesday 26 of March with over 75 womenswear and menswear shows scheduled over 6 days. A fully-packed week indeed!

Loving everything K-related is nothing new for us at Marie France Asia – and we know it’s probably the same for you too. So as we sit front row, decked in our stylish best – we bring you first hand all the highlights from the biggest fashion event in the K-capital.

SOULPOT STUDIO

One of the highlights of the day, SOULPOT STUDIO’s FW14 collection was almost flawless in every sense. Reflected through mastered techniques such as quilting, padding, cutouts and patchwork among others – each piece which took the runway had a strong presence and character. Perhaps so because the collection was meant to be the first in a series entitled ‘Seoul’ through which the designer seeks to represent the city in its different and clashing elements.

For this season, designer Su Jinn Kim took on the ‘Re-trace’ theme and reflecting on areas in the city which are disappearing due to factors such as ‘capital and ideology’

We love how the designer succeeded in transporting the mood first onto the fabric, and then unto us as audience with the brilliant use of music and lighting. As for the clothes, a variety of ‘androgynous’ separates took the catwalk in acromatic colour palette which were all drool-worthy. The ripped skirts, cutout trousers and sleeveless jackets were definitely a hit.

JOHNNY HATES JAZZ

Outerwear was the star this season and no wonder Korean designers focus so much attention on staple coats. And JOHHNY HATES JAZZ was no different.

For FW14, the label took inspiration from the Vikings f Northern Europe myths by showing a variety of heavy coats ranging from tailored looks to faux fur and croc-lined pieces which are guaranteed to make anyone look stylish while keeping warm.

BIG PARK

For BIG PARK, the inspiration came from a far simpler concept that is ‘dining’ and the intimate stories that happen around the dinner table. Designer Park Youn Soo showed some fun and quirky prints inspired by cutlery and checkered table cloths which demonstrated his undeniable skill in that area. But although the inspiration might be ‘domestic’, his collection had very strong lines and used materials such as leather and strong oversized silhouettes to add an edgy twist. We love the hip and youthful vibe of this collection which was accompanied by a background sound effects of clicking cutlery.

Lie Sang Bong

The most awaited show of the day was that of Korea’s biggest fashion export – seasoned designer Lie Sang Bong. So it came as no surprise that the room was packed with K-celebs including members from the newly-reformed K-pop band BtoB who graced the front row.

As expected, the collection was a hit – first and foremost for its right balance of wearability and originality. From genius fabric manipulation to prints and a handful of evening gowns at the end – the show had everything for a complete wardrobe. We loved the layering of various pieces and textures in a colour palette of black, red and orange which had something for everyone – something the iconic designer masters very well.

KIM CHUL UNG MODE

Here goes a show in which every piece was so painfully intricate and well-thought of in every sense of the word. It was a pleasure to look up-close into the perfectly draped and cut pieces which took the runway at the end of Day 1.

If anything, designer Kim Chul Ung is a master in draping and pattern cutting as obvious from the outerwear which hanged beautifully as the models walked by. One particular draped leather dress was breath-taking and so masterfully executed despite obvious difficulties working with such a material.

Minimal and monochromatic, the pieces looked edgy without trying too hard. Again, coats and outerwear were the stars of the show with many varieties in cut and material which we’d be happy to trade our life in the sunshine for a colder climate to be able to rock them!

Rana Wehbe-Flinter

More Seoul Fashion Week coverage:

Seoul Fashion Week F/W 2014: Womenswear Day 2 highlights

Seoul Fashion Week F/W 2014: Womenswear Day 3 highlights

Seoul Fashion Week F/W 2014: Streetstyle photos

Seoul Fashion Week: Our top 20 looks for F/W 2014-15

Seoul Fashion Week: Menswear trends spotted on the catwalk

From the runway to the streets: 5 beauty looks from Seoul Fashion Week

From the runway to the streets: 5 hairstyles as seen at Seoul Fashion Week

K-pop stars spotted at Seoul Fashion Week F/W 2014