Obama Looks Gaining Popularity in Korea
By Jane Han
Staff Reporter
The popularity of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's slightly wide cutaway collar shirt, classic two-button jacket, casual four-in-hand tie wearing method and his wife Michelle's peal earrings and simple dresses have crossed the Pacific Ocean to excite Korean fashionistas.
To live up to the new demand, I'Park Mall, a high-end retailer in central Seoul, started offering various combinations of the Obamas' most popular looks since being on the campaign trail Monday.
``Their stylish sense of fashion has been an attention-grabber here as it was in the U.S., so we decided to introduce some of the classic styles to our shoppers,'' said Chung Jae-wook, an official of I'Park.
Among the selection on sale are leather jackets, baseball caps and two-button jackets ― all items the president-elect has been spotted sporting often.
At online shopping malls, the next first lady's smashing style is growing popular, as middle-aged wives are also going after the refined, simple and sexy look.
``A lot of my customers have been inquiring about Michelle Obama's popular black and white printed dress,'' said Kim Hae-yoon, the operator of Wings Mall, an online retailer specializing in dresses.
The wife of the new U.S. President wore black-and-white, high-waisted dress designed by Ricco last summer when she appeared on the popular TV talk show ``The View.'' Since then, thousands of the same dress were sold, according to media reports.
Chung of I'Park said female shoppers have been requesting a special promotion of jewelries similar to Mrs. Obama's, ranging from creamy pearls to colorful studs.
``We can't all be the first lady or president, but we can surely steal their style,'' Kim said.