Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week provides the best in global fashion and art. This year’s worldly experience took me to The Republic of Korea, with Concept Korea – an annual collaborative project of fashion collectives that introduce Korean style overseas. The spring 2015 season was a special year as Concept Korea’s celebrated its 10th anniversary with “The Golden Movement” theme, which means to bring precious waves of changes to the fashion world with three new Korean designers’ collections.
LEYII by Seunghee Lee
As the sole womenswear brand this season, LEYII by Seunghee Lee started strong with experimental play and design along with the proper balance of mystical female identity. LEYII is a brand wrapped in femininity and explores with curves of a woman’s body. Standout looks include crème silk & wool sleeveless jacket paired with black wool slim trouser; Fushia silk cropped jacket paired with black wool high-waisted trouser; gold silk jacquard top paired with gray silk evening skirt; and an ah-mazing black silk organza blouse paired with a silk bra and yellow silk shorts.
beyond closet by Tae Yong
beyond closet made a statement with whimsical and witty reinterpretations of classic menswear looks for guys that know how to maintain their “cool.” Known for conceptual graphics and mix-matched preppy colors, standout looks include white layered shirt jacket with a navy pinstripe pant; leather motorcycle vest paired with a black sleeveless shirt and navy cuffed pants; red single-breasted coat with a pinstripe shirt and cream printed pants.
RESURRECTION by Juyoung Lee
So very appropriate to close out the fashion collectives was RESURRECTION by Juyoung Lee – an edgy menswear collection inspired by non-mainstream cultures such as glam, gothic, and hippie-chic intertwined with mainstream classics. Standout looks include white organza shirt with black leather harness belt, black short pant and sandals; black bomber jacket with sleeveless t-shirt, leather skirt and sandals; black leather hooded sleeveless t-shirt with black studded pants and sandals; gray blouson with gray tank, pants and sandal; and a must-have black jumpsuit with black leather harness and sandals.
Although only three collections were featured this season versus many more in the past, Concept Korea is a thriving fashion collective that has become an important NYFW staple and continues to grow its influence every year.