Concept Korea SS 2013

Embracing international exposure, Concept Korea brought fresh talent to this side of the pond during the NYFW SS 2013 shows. The fresh collections from CHOIBOKO by Choi Bo Ko, KYE by Kathleen Hanhee Kye, CRES. E DIM. by Hongbum Kim, SONG JUNG WAN, and LIE SANG BONG were colorful, detailed fashion forward fun. Fashion frontrunners had the daunting duty of choosing the cutting-edge designers for the 6th showcase presented at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. The impressive panel included NYFW Founder Fern Mallis, Dean of Parsons Simon Collins, Fashion Director of Saks  Colleen Sherin, Former CFDA President Stan Herman, Stylists Phillip Bloch and Ann Caruso, Balenciaga VP Jane Page, Opening Ceremony‘s Carol Song, Lanvin VP Scott Studenberg, Kate Spade VP Taryn Laeban, and Founder of Soussand Associates Philippe Soussand.

Dancers from internationally-known Martha Graham Dance Company rocked out in the designers’ custom-made tees when performing at the presentation, while DJ Mike Nouveau gave a few two-footed audience members something to tap along to. 5 Traditional Korean Colors added meaning to the megawatt hues in the collections. The country’s culture relates the environment to color, making your fashion frenzy even more enticing ! Each designer inserted the colors within their looks such as red/fire, blue/tree, black/water, yellow/ground, and white/iron. Since started in Spring 2010, Concept Korea has helped catapult designers to an international stage. The help of several gracious groups have made many dreams a reality such as the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, the Daegu Metropolitan City, the Korea Creative Contents Agency, and the Korea Research Institute for Fashion Industry.

About the designers:
Turning traditional on its head, each designer embraced the color challenge in a different way. Central Saint Martins 2011 grad Kathleen Kye of KYE has grabbed the attention of Opening Ceremony and Harvey Nichols with the “Nothing Ever Goes my Way” collection. Her ruthless designs promote not being afraid to face the painful truth- from youthful sorrows to school violence. Whoever said beauty is only skin deep apparently didn’t meet Choi Bo Ko. CHOIBOKO’s collection “Interpretation of a Masterpiece” aims to reach the soul by creating digitally designed fashion objects inspired by analogue tableau’s painting. Come rain or shine, CRES. E. DIM. sees beauty in both ! “Extreme Weather” by Hongbum Kim is inspired by severe weather from hurricanes to thunderstorms, while river-inspired looks (think bold colors and cuts) soothes the severity. Focusing on the bare elements, the LIE SANG BONG collection named “Nostalgia”is inspired by the human body. Wrapped up with everything from avant-garde to the designer’s childhood memories, you’ll get a front row seat into Bong’s world. New Yorkers take note- SON JUNG WAN’s looks are taken from the Big Apple’s iconic edge, with hints of sweet femininity along the way. Titled “Rhapsody under the Sun,” her collection uses hints of Barcelona artist Joan Miro’s work, adding moments of European flair. From sleek to standout silhouettes, Concept Korea SS 2013 showcased endless options for all global fashion-lovers. Written by Mary Anderson.