Concept Korea presented five emerging Korean designers in the show, The Rhythm of Korea, at The Stage at Lincoln Center on Friday evening. The show opened with Choi Bo Ko, the 2011 recipient of the Best Brand and Best Designer Award. Choi presented a black and white collection with large abstract designs and splashes of red. Long pencil skirts, fur, leather and to-die –for wool coats dominated the collection.
Designer Hong Bum Kim’s Cres. E Dim line was edgy with on-trend leather touches in every design. Standouts were a modern take on the classic trench and an embellished black caplet.
Son Jung Wang presented a beautiful line the blended tweeds, knits and fur in tones of beige, royal purple and blue. Her designs were structure yet had fluidity. The designer is noted for her practical and sleek silhouettes adjusted to New York’s taste. This showed most in a dress of royal blue with royal purple lace that looked made for 2013 version of Grace Kelly.
Lie Sang Bong’s show opened with a sleek illuminated hat over a formfitting white shift with black geometric lines that wow’d the crowd. His body flattering line included a long black coat with delicate cut-out pattern trimming the bottom, neoprene jackets and bold patterns
Kathleen Kye’s line KYE was street art inspired designs were patterned with graffiti, structured skirts and powder blue fur coats.
Among those on the front row were Fern Mallis, Phillip Bloch, Angela Simmons and Neon Hitch.
Behind the group is an industry powerhouse of fashion’s most influential voices, who hand picked each of the designers. They include: FERN MALLIS, founder of New York Fashion Week, SIMON COLLINS, Dean of Parsons, COLLEN SHERING, Fashion Director of SaksFifth Avenue, STAN HERMAN, former President of the CFDA, PHILLIP BLOCH, Stylist, ANN CARUSO, Stylist, JANE PAGE, VP at Balenciaga, CAROL SONG, Head Buyer at Opening Ceremony, SCOTT STUDENBERY, VP at Lanvin, TARYN LAEBAN, VP of Kate Spade and PHILIPPE SOUSSAND, founder of Soussand Associates.
THE DESIGNERS:
KYE by Kathleen Hanhee Kye
A 2011 graduate of Central Saint Martins, KYE is already a favorite among the world’s most powerful retailers, including Opening Ceremony and Harvey Nichols. Her collection is described as, “Fun-loving fashion: extraordinary fashion concepts and shapes that render fashion art products.” www.kyefahsion.com
KYE’s Fall Winter 2013 collection titled, “Unemployed Youth: Homeless Youth.” Drawing inspiration from the Seoul Station, the collection portrays images that are beautifully created with garbage wrapping papers, boxes and graffiti. This season, the collection is consists of oversized silhouettes, layering, and unusual material combinations.
CHOIBOKO by Choi Bo Ko
Fashion does not dress the body, but dresses the soul. CHOIBOKO considers the social component of fashion with interest in human nature from a philosophical point of view. Using tangible/intangible cultural traditions, Choi develops a unique identity by making his designs modern and global. His hidden message is expressed in surrealistic way by transforming ordinary nature into glamour and modernity www.choiboko.com
CHOIBOKO’s Fall Winter 2013 collection is titled, “Dance of Gods,” mixes various abstract images of nature as if it to create a dance. ”Dance of Gods’ is abstract expression that symbolizes the magic of comfort and hope.
CRES. E DIM. by Hongbum Kim
CRES. E DIM. Draws from the musical term ‘crescendo e diminuendo,’ with ‘CRES’ meaning ‘getting gradually louder,’ and ‘DIM’ reflectively meaning ‘getting gradually softer’ – Hongbum Kim applied this theory to his fashion identity. His philosophy involves juxtaposing the look of a naturally flowing river against strong shapes, cuts and color. www.cresedim.com
CRES. E. DIM’s Fall Winter 2013 collection is titled, “Secondary Nature.” The collection expresses nature’s mystery with different methods using Technology (secondary nature) and inspiration drawnfrom Tokujin Yoshioka and Helmut Newton.
LIE SANG BONG by Lie Sang Bong
Lie Sang Bong uses the process of invention and reinvention by fusing art and culture. The collection combines unique volume, form, and geometrical shapes of the human body, with an energized flair www.liesangbong.com
LIE SANG BONG’s Fall Winter 2013 collection is titled, “Retro.” The collection is a reinterprets 1950 imagery combined with a modern touch.
SON JUNG WAN by Son Jung Wan
SON JUNG WAN creates practical and compact silhouettes by using a minimalist approach to New York’s taste and sensibility. Romantic, retro and glam are elements that are portrayed by using beautiful fabrics that create a light and feminine feel. www.sonjungwan.com
SON JUNG WAN’s Fall Winter 2013 collection is titled, “Dynamic Romance,” and was inspired by abstract painter, Wassily Kandinsky and the beauty of The Catherine Palace. She draws from Kandinsky’s use of color and geometric shapes, infused with beauty of The Catherine Palace’s elegant, flamboyant colors.
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