Across the globe, it’s no surprise that Tokyo and Seoul have increasingly been recognised as rising fashion capitals in their own right—with an ever-increasing array of cult brands and emerging designers proliferating the scene. Now occurring simultaneously alongside the showings in Tokyo, Seoul Fashion Week chimes in with its own urban charm; a definitive testament to the city’s colourful fashion landscape inflected by its rich heritage and the forever-influence of its K-pop scene. Case in point: the girls of ADOR’s NewJeans—who have rose to stardom at supersonic speed since their debut last July—are the ambassadors for this year’s fashion week in Seoul, during the course of its fall/winter 2023 presentations.
To kick off the season, all five members were spotted at Dongdaemun Design Plaza for Ul:kin, where Lee Seong Dong’s continuous appeal to sustainability came through ropes, nets and mesh—like a textural reminder of marine life. Whilst the next day saw Seokwoon Yoon leaning into his deft handling of deconstructed pieces, as shredded fabric imbued his pieces with a lilting sense of rhythm amidst more clashing print options. Amidst the showings, it seems the council has opted for a more inclusive approach to the scene, as a number of pop-up exhibitions, immersive photo booths and an entire trade show hopes to transform the city into a locus of creative exchange.
With the buzz shared equally between the runway and the streets outside, it only makes sense then, that fashion enthusiasts are filling the pavements of Seoul with their best ensembles—still primed for the persisting cold. City dwellers boast their layering sensibilities, wearing a delicious myriad of leathers and structured blazers. In terms of accessories, it’s clear the street lot is on top of every reemerging trend, as an eclectic range of headgear is spotted in the crowds: from balaclavas to beanies and furry hats. And as for the preferred palette? Cool, sleek blacks lead the way, but not without the occasional pop of print thrown on.
Below, cast your gaze over the best street style captures from the Seoul Fashion Week fall/winter 2023 shows, as lensed by Young Chul Kim.
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