NYC Fashion Week
I’ve attended over a decade of fashion weeks in 3 cities and still to this day, I get giddy with my first seasonal fashion show. This past Friday was no different. I rushed out of work to attend Concept Korea and with plans to also hit Gen Art that evening. But somehow, my usual 1hour commute from work into the upper west side turned into a patience-testing 2.5 hour drive. You’d think that by the time I arrived at Lincoln Center, I’d be exhausted and raging with commuter road rage. But all it took is the sight of Lincoln Center all lit up with fashionistas flocking the NY streets and almost like I had downed a Red Bull, my heart pounced with excitement and energy shot through my veins.
So happy to meet up with my friend and share in the fashion fun, we greeted each other with hugs and squealed like fashion week virgins as we entered our first fashion event for spring 2012’s season.
Concept Korea is actually a project that I helped bring to life 2 years ago so it was amazing to be there and celebrate its third run. They showcased 5 Korean designers in hopes of launching them to the U.S. Market. Here are some pics.
Other than Doo Ri Chung, who was awarded a Vogue/CFDA Fashion award, there really aren’t any Korean designers who have received international recognition. Really, can you name anyone? All those other designers that probably come to mind (Prabal Gurung, Phillip Lim, Jason Wu, Anna Sui, Vera Wang, Josie Natori etc. they are mostly Chinese). I know, we all look and sound the same but I swear, they are not Korean. So it was interesting to read the press release for the event which is how I learned that Lie Sang Bong, one of Concept Korea’s featured designers, has apparel already worn by singers Lady Gaga and Beyonce and that Steve J & Yoni P created a capsule collection for trendy retailer Topshop. As a fellow Korean, I thought that was pretty cool.