By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
When young, hip Hollywood celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton wear the latest fashion trends, the rest of the world will likely follow.
With Korea fast-becoming the pop culture center of Asia, it might not be too much of a reach to envision top Korean celebrities setting off trends for the region. After all, Korean stars like BoA, Bae Yong-joon and Rain have already been endorsing products throughout Asia.
Now, the Korean fashion industry is hoping the success of hallyu, or the ``Korean wave,’’ will boost fashion designers’ profile in Asia.
The Seoul Fashion Center and Seoul city government is holding the first-ever Hallyu Stars Fashion Festival, featuring a runway fashion show and K-pop performances, on May 5. Organizers hope the presence of Korean actors, actresses and pop groups will help attract attention to Korean fashion .
The Hallyu Stars Fashion Festival will be held in front of City Hall in downtown Seoul on May 5, as part of the Hi Seoul Festival which runs from April 27 to May 6.
According to the Seoul Fashion Center, actor Cho Han-sung, actress Chu Ja-hyung as well as K-pop artists such as Super Junior, Bada, Psy, Son Ho-young, Shinhwa member Andy Lee, Baby Vox Re.V and Paran are scheduled to appear.
The Korean stars will take to the runways wearing creations from top Korean designers. Designers participating in the event include Jinteok, Lie Sang-bong, Im Seon-oc, Park He-rin, Rubina, Park Youn-soo, Kim Dong-soon, Sul Yun-hyoung, Oh Eun-hwan, Chang Kwang-hyo, Hwang Jae-bock and Jo Myung-rye.
Starting this year, the Hallyu Stars Fashion Festival will be held twice a year. There will also be fan meetings, concerts and other events organized in the future.
After the show, a special Hallyu stars collection and clothes by Korean designers will be auctioned off through an online shopping site. Proceeds from the auction will go to help fund charities for children with incurable diseases.
Celebrities and the fashion industry have always gone hand-in-hand. During the Seoul Collection, Korean celebrities lent a touch of glamour to the fashion event. Some celebrities even took to the runways to model the clothes.
cathy@koreatimes.co.kr
1![[INTERVIEW] Risk-averse culture is forcing daring creators to flee showbiz](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/fb7596db1256425b9ccd448392d51be8.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize) | INTERVIEWRisk-averse culture is forcing daring creators to flee showbiz |
![[PHOTOS] Trapped along borders](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/border_0001_8619e295f5796.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[VIDEO] Bustling Chuseok: Namsan Hanok Village immerses visitors in Korea's rich traditions](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/3810ec90e75b4ce7ae8657f4cabacd6e.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] ROK-US alliance is win-win partnership: KUSAF chief](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/278f7bca54f944b9a569bd074327669b.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] 'Coexistence of different art hubs across Asia is necessary': Art Week Tokyo Director](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/5e1f02ba859b44428a31a10c6ec2a2ea.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] With '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/83a5770de8d8420da3634fb8b78266c1.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
