Seoul Fashion Week Opens Today
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Seoul Fashion Week opens today with a series of fashion shows by Korea's top designers, such as Song Jain, Lee Young-hee, Imseonoc, Song Zio and Chang Kwang-hyo.
A total of 39 fashion shows featuring fall/winter collections will be held at the Seoul Trade Exhibition Center (SETEC), in Daechi-dong, southern Seoul, for the next eight days through April 2.
Fashion week kicks off with men's wear collections by Mvio's Han San-hyuk, Kim Gyu-sik, Ko Tae-yong, Lee Ju-young, Song Hye-myung, Park He-rin, Park Jong-chul, Song Zio and Chang Kwang-hyo, March 26-27.
Unlike the other shows to be staged at SETEC, Song Jain and Jung Wook-jun will be holding a joint fashion show at the 915 Industry Gallery, March 27.
From Saturday through April 1, women's wear collections will dominate the catwalk. Designers Lee Young-hee, Hwang Jae-bock, An Yoon-jung, Ha Sang-beg, Hong Eun-ju, Moon Young-hee, Son Jung-wan, Cho Sung-kyong, Imseonoc, Lee Moon-hee, and Han Song will stage their shows.
Meanwhile, the popularity of reality shows has spilled over to the fashion world. Organizers have teamed up with cable channel Dong-ah for the Project Runway-type show ``Wannabe Fashion Designer,'' which started airing December 2008. The final 15 designers were chosen after seven weeks of challenges and will show their designs at SETEC, April 2.
``At the 18th Seoul Fashion Week, in order to overcome the worldwide economic crisis and fashion industry recession, in addition to the standard fashion shows, the focus is on `fashion business' publicity and distribution,'' organizers said.
Organizers have implemented changes to make it easier for local and foreign buyers to get information about the designers' collections. Buyers will be able to view the designers' collections and consult with the designers in a more intimate setting in the trade presentation room.
A digital interactive system called ``Tablet Order'' is being introduced for the first time at Seoul Fashion Week. This WiBro system terminal provides buyers with real-time detailed information on the brand and products shown on the catwalk. Instead of the usual printed ``look books,'' buyers will be able to access information on the fashion brands, including prices and details, using Tablet Order.
Throughout fashion week, Seoul Fashion Fair, a trade show featuring 70 men's wear, women's wear and accessories companies, will also be held at the SETEC outdoor exhibition center. There is also an exhibition showing the history of fashion and fashion trends.
The Next Generation Fashion Festival at Kring, Daechi-dong features 10 independent designers who were recommended by influential fashion magazines such as W, Vogue, Elle and Bazaar.
The public will also have a chance to purchase items from every designer and fashion brand participating at Seoul Fashion Week through the Lotte Web site www.lotte.com.
To get to SETEC, get off at Hangyeoul Station Subway, Line 3. Visit https://www.seoulfashionweek.org.