Jul 6, 2019

Ivanka Trump makes headlines by donning Korean designer’s dress

White House adviser and first daughter Ivanka Trump turned heads during her recent visit to South Korea by wearing a dress designed by a Korean designer.Trump, known as a fashion enthusiast, arrived in Korea with US President Donald Trump last Saturday. During a forum held Sunday to discuss gender role issues at Grand Hyatt Seoul, she sported an ivory coat-style dress.  The dress was designed by designer Jong Go-en who leads her namesake label Goen.J. The creation was a part of the 2019 Re

Jun 28, 2019

[Eye Plus] The streets that once led the nation’s garment industry

Dull knocking sounds and clunky noises from sewing machines resonate through the streets of Changsin-dong. Inside the sweatshops that line the streets, clothes are scattered here and there and colorful rolls of fabric are stacked on shelves. Located in Seoul’s central district of Jongno, this area has for many decades been the mecca of the country’s garment industry. Here stands Lumpium, the Sewing History Museum, a four-story building built in 2018 by the city government.On dis

Jun 21, 2019

[Eye Plus] Seoul -- an open runway where life and fashion coexist

Raised aisles stretch out under the glare of the spotlight, chic models parade up and down the catwalk, top-notch designers give brusque last-minute directions, and front-row celebrities flaunt their outfits for the cameras.This is how runways are often perceived by the general public -- sophisticated yet disconnected from everyday life.But what if fashion shows broke out of the conventional frame and models posed in the streets, under natural light and at eye level with the audience? Every part

Jun 14, 2019

[Weekender] Perfect your summer look

From neon to tie-dye, this summer’s fashion is all about vibrant colors and beach vibes

Jun 14, 2019

[Weekender] Beat the heat with cool apparel

From activewear to formal suits, fashion brands compete with cooling fabrics, technologies

Jun 7, 2019

[Weekender] At 77, silver model dreams of big show

Choi Soon-hwa, now in her heyday, opens new chapter of life

Jun 7, 2019

Paul Smith says ‘Hi’ to Seoul in exhibition showing his world

Paul Smith is a name well known around the world, but the renowned fashion designer says he never assumes that people know who he is. This, he explained, is why the exhibition “Hello, My Name is Paul Smith,” which kicked off Thursday in Seoul, is based on his character. It offers a look inside his world, encompassing his thought process, work and path toward success.  “(My personality) is very low-key, feet on the ground personality. … It is an exhibition which lit

Apr 9, 2019

[Herald Interview] 'Fashion is about trends. Paul Smith is about individuality'

Though the beginning was small, things ended up much bigger than expected for fashion designer Paul Smith. It sometimes is still hard for the designer to believe what he has achieved. The celebrated designer’s first store in Nottingham, which opened in 1976, was 9 square meters. It was only open Fridays and Saturdays, as he had to work another job the rest of the week to make his living. Seven years after opening the shop, Smith went to Paris with a small collection of clothes. But he didn’t hav

Apr 9, 2019

Taking a look inside Paul Smith’s world

Design exhibition ‘Hello, My Name is Paul Smith’ to be held in Seoul

Apr 5, 2019

[Weekender] From vintage to sportswear, retro is in vogue

The retro fever can be best felt at the Dongmyo market, one of the biggest flea markets in Korea where fashionista visitors have sharply increased since last year. “Visitors surged suddenly after September last year, after the market was featured on several popular TV shows,” said Park Choon-ha, a vintage clothes shop owner at the market. Vintage clothes, shoes and accessories are displayed at the Dongmyo street market in Seoul on March 29. (Choi Ji-won/The Korea Herald)On a recent Friday aftern

Apr 3, 2019

[Herald Interview] After Celine and Louis Vuitton, Korean-American designer ready to rock world with label Rokh

Korean-American designer based in London debuts at Paris Fashion Week

Mar 29, 2019

Out of rookie league, designers debut big on Seoul runway

Four local brands make leap at fashion week

Mar 28, 2019

Cottweiler design duo explores ‘Lost Art of Cruising’

London-based designer brand Cottweiler reached out to the public with its fashion show at the 2019 fall-winter Seoul Fashion Week on Friday. Led by the duo of Ben Cottrell and Matthew Dainty, Cottweiler was chosen as the first British brand to stage a runway show at Seoul Fashion Week under an exchange program between the British Fashion Council and Seoul Design Foundation.  Designers Ben Cottrell (left) and Matthew Dainty, who run London-based menswear label Cottweiler, speak during an intervie

Mar 25, 2019

New fall-winter looks hit Seoul runway

Seoul Fashion Week came to an end Sunday, wrapping up its official six-day run at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul.Though not one of the “big four” global fashion capitals, Seoul too sees fast-changing fashion trends. The biannual fashion festival invites international buyers, media and spectators to Seoul. Models present creations from brand Beyond Closet during the 2019 F/W Seoul Fashion Week held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul on Saturday. (Seoul Design Foundation)This ti