The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Korea walks fine line between US, China in chip war

  • 3

    Jeju-based shamanism researcher documents connection between humans, crows

  • 5

    SHINee celebrates 15th anniversary of debut: 'It feels surreal'

  • 7

    Labor unions seek to attract migrant workers at shipyards

  • 9

    Asiana stops selling A321-200 emergency seats after man opened aircraft door mid-air

  • 11

    RAS KOREAPreserving memories at Cheongju City Archives

  • 13

    Chun Woo-hee becomes chameleon con artist in 'Delightfully Deceitful'

  • 15

    Mirae Asset holds ETF Rally 2023 for global expansion

  • 17

    Gov't moves to assist 3,400 Koreans stranded in typhoon-hit Guam

  • 19

    LG Electronics expands social contribution in Middle East, Africa

  • 2

    ChatGPT: boon or bane for banking industry?

  • 4

    Man arrested for opening airplane emergency exit during flight

  • 6

    Arrest warrant issued for man who opened plane door mid-air

  • 8

    Half of medical tourists visiting Korea inspired by K-culture

  • 10

    Hyundai Steel receives EPD certification for low-carbon H-beam products

  • 12

    Anticipated Korean blockbusters to check out this summer

  • 14

    ENHYPEN reaches new career high with latest album 'Dark Blood'

  • 16

    Korea eyes launch of 4th Nuri space rocket in 2025

  • 18

    Yoon, first lady star on TV show with adopted dog

  • 20

    POSCO named sustainability champion for 2nd consecutive year

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Tue, May 30, 2023 | 11:08
W Lifestyle magazine
SPA brands & youth's luxury lifestyle
Posted : 2015-03-25 11:45
Updated : 2015-03-25 15:15
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
By Victoria Kim

The term "SPA" or "fast fashion" was discussed and surveyed in many ways after UNIQLO, H&M, and ZARA saw big success. SPA stands for specialty retailer of private label apparel.

Except for UNIQLO, other SPA or fast fashion brands were all from Western countries with their pattern, color, silhouette and size based on Western culture. Yet it was still popular among Asian consumers.

It seems that the SPA trend diminished among fashion retailers. However, it reappeared in a different way in the Asian region.

Korean actress Kang Sora, whose popularity catapulted since the recent cable TV series "Misaeng," became the youth generation's new icon not just because of the acting but more so with her firm fashion identity. She wore cheap clothes from fast fashion brands and viewers praised her for having a definite concept in style, not swayed by the brand name or value.

Most consumers of SPA and fast fashion brands are composed of the younger generation in their teens to early 20s.

Youth had until now meant physical age but now it means "differentiated taste." Consumers in their 20s have consumed brands since their birth. They consume rationally and practically. This consumption pattern naturally fosters artistry. We dubbed this "Youth Luxury" style and we predict it will lead the consumption market in 2015.

SPA and fast fashion brands are catching on to this trend. I would like to introduce one noticeable brand I encountered in Singapore.

When I visited Singapore on a business trip, the brand "HLS" had been praised by the media. As a trend forecaster, I've seen many rising and diminishing brands in the fashion retail market. Fast fashion starts from a country where the fashion industry receives a lot of support such as in Japan, Spain and the United States.

I asked HLS' co-founder Ann Kositchotitana for a spontaneous interview, spotting her at Raffle's Hotel store, an expensive local shopping mall. "HLS" stands for "Headline Seoul" and is inspired by the city of Seoul in South Korea. Kositchotitana who is a Thai-born, America-raised, permanent resident of Singapore, cofounded the brand with Korean partner Brandon Hong. HLS has established 15 stores in South East Asia in the past two years.

Following are Q&A:

- Can you briefly introduce "HLS"?

HLS is a Pan-Asia fashion brand that combines Seoul's esthetic and Singapore's practicality.

- What is HLS's characteristic?

People can show their identity through HLS' trendy design, reasonable mid-low price compared to its high-quality fabrication.

- What does "Korean style" mean to you?

Korean culture cannot be deeply understood simply by its traditional costume, antique palaces, K-pop, and K-dramas. Korea is a country with progressive acceptance of international culture. Polite etiquette and respect, dynamics, and love are key words that mean a lot to me when it comes to Korea. Those Korean values are sometimes distorted by Psy's "Gangnam Style" as a funny caricature. "Korean Style" is an important motif expressing Korea's value, perspective, and mood into HLS design. For example, it is not putting Korean words into apparel; it's more close to putting Korean words' creativity into HLS design. This will be a great pleasure and adventure for me in the future.

- Who is behind HLS design?

HLS design is made in the HLS Design Lab which is the design think tank. Now it is run by Jennifer Li and I. HLS Design Lab is composed of designers who have cultural basis in Seoul, Singapore, New York, and London.

- What's your vision of HLS?

Seoul has historical, cultural and philosophical values that share a lot of commonality with other Asian regions. As a Pan-Asia brand (or brand with high Asian affinity), HLS will add such values into the design which will be shared with other Asian consumers.

 
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1Korea eyes launch of 4th Nuri space rocket in 2025 Korea eyes launch of 4th Nuri space rocket in 2025
2Memorial Day 2023 Memorial Day 2023
3Japanese destroyer flies controversial flag as it arrives in Korea for joint drillJapanese destroyer flies controversial flag as it arrives in Korea for joint drill
4[ANALYSIS] China's ban on Micron tests Washington-Seoul alliance ANALYSISChina's ban on Micron tests Washington-Seoul alliance
5Seoul on alert over Pyongyang's imminent spy satellite launch Seoul on alert over Pyongyang's imminent spy satellite launch
6Korea's household debt-to-GDP ratio highest among 34 major economiesKorea's household debt-to-GDP ratio highest among 34 major economies
7Top 20% of income earners fuel increase in Q1 consumption as pandemic ends Top 20% of income earners fuel increase in Q1 consumption as pandemic ends
8Korea's diplomacy put to test amid signs of thaw in US-China relations Korea's diplomacy put to test amid signs of thaw in US-China relations
9Vietnam emerges as major market for Korean chipmakers Vietnam emerges as major market for Korean chipmakers
10Local governments appeal to young generations through YouTube Local governments appeal to young generations through YouTube
Top 5 Entertainment News
1SHINee celebrates 15th anniversary of debut: 'It feels surreal' SHINee celebrates 15th anniversary of debut: 'It feels surreal'
2ENHYPEN reaches new career high with latest album 'Dark Blood' ENHYPEN reaches new career high with latest album 'Dark Blood'
3'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' raises bar with epic battle scenes 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' raises bar with epic battle scenes
4[INTERVIEW] Long-awaited extension of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale to be pushed forward INTERVIEWLong-awaited extension of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale to be pushed forward
5Chun Woo-hee becomes chameleon con artist in 'Delightfully Deceitful' Chun Woo-hee becomes chameleon con artist in 'Delightfully Deceitful'
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group