The Art of Shopping: Myeong dong

Myeong dong is a pleasant maze of boutiques, global brands and Korean department stores, such as Lotte and Shinsegae. From young fashionistas to families, an eclectic mix of people shop in these crowded alleyways for clothes, accessories, electronics and cosmetics.

In a prime downtown area, recently, Myeong dong has become a global emporium for brands such as Zara, Uniqlo and H&M. The Noon Square shopping mall is particularly good, with H&M's flagship store and a two-floor outlet of Zara. Uniqlo is also excellent, selling a huge array of denim, knitwear and t-shirts in its flagship store. There is intense competition for floor space here and according to Coshman and Wakefield, a global real estate agent, Myeong dong is the 11th most expensive downtown area of all the world's major cities. So, I would expect more major brands to grace Myeong dong with their presence very soon. Hopefully Topshop....

With concern to Korean brands, this area has some of the best outlets of Korean cosmetic stores in Seoul. Skin Food is a favourite of mine, with excellent face products and a great selection for men. The Korean boutiques are cute and crammed with unusual attire. Look out for Wiki and SSFW. Both sell patterned leggings, cropped leather jackets and pretty dresses.

At the weekend, the streets are prone to pushing and shoving. As 2.3 million people pass through the streets on a Saturday and Sunday, this is to be expected. However, as night falls, Myeong dong takes on a special atmosphere. The neon lights illuminate the streets whilst the restaurants and cafes are filled with friends and young couples. With close proximity to Namdaemun market, hotels and Seoul station, Myeong dong is also situated in an ideal location.

Myeong dong can be reached on line 4. An interesting article about its real estate and prime location can be read here http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2917386.

All photos taken by me.

Vogue Korea October Issue

The lovely Magdalena Frackowiak in the October issue of Vogue Korea. She was photographed by Giampaolo Sgura and styled by Ye Young Kim.

The Development of the Korean Fashion Industry

I will be attending Seoul Fashion Week this coming Sunday and in anticipation of this, I want to look at the development of the Korean Fashion industry and Seoul Fashion Week itself.

FeetmanSeoul (http://www.feetmanseoul.com/category/korean-fashion-designers/hwang-jae-bock/) has translated a brief history of Korean High Fashion from Seoul Fashion Week's website:
1954 — Korea’s first fashion show ever is held.
According to Madame Nora Noh (who is recognized as Korea’s first fashion designer), the first fashion show ever held in Korea takes place in the Chosun Hotel.

1961 — All fashion events are officially suspended.
Although fashion shows were held several times a year from the first fashion show held in 1954, after the coup and establishment of Pak Chung Hee’s military government, fashion shows are branded a “archetypical luxury” and became impossible to stage.

1987 — Real fashion shows.
With the coming of the 1980′s, the mass popularization of fashion had begun, and with the June 29, 1987 Declaration (which revised the Constitution and ended military dictatorship), genuine fashion shows could be held and the fashion culture begins to develop at a rapid pace.

1990 — Regular fashion shows.
As Korea entered the 1990′s, the country sees the opening of regular fashion shows, first in Seoul, of course, but also in the larger cities of other regions.

And the history of Seoul Fashion Week itself, previously known as the Seoul Collection:

The Push for East Asian Cities to Become Future Fashion Capitals
After the 1990′s, Tokyo, Beijing, and Hong Kong, along with other east Asian cities, all began to strive to make their cities into future fashion capitals through the promotion of fashion collections and products produced in their own countries. Tokyo has already become one of the world’s five largest fashion shows.

Overcoming Our Weaknesses and Fostering Seoul’s Becoming a World Fashion Capital
Although it is a fact that Korea is possessed of excellent materials, the talent of our country’s distinguished designers, along with unparalleled sewing and dressmaking skills, has received little recognition due to our image as a manufacturer and supplier of cheaper raw materials. Therefore, the high value and potential of the Korean fashion remains unfulfilled. With the intense efforts of the designers of SFAA, KFDA, NWS3 and other designers who continued to hold their individual collections and shows, as well as the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s drive to develop Seoul into an Asian fashion capital, and for the sake of improving the image of the Korean fashion industry while insuring its competitiveness, it was decided to hold a joint fashion event to better position Seoul as an international fashion collection.4 From October 2000, the jointly-held Seoul Collection (Seoul Fashion Week) exhibitions received the formal support of the Seoul Fashion Center, Korean Fashion Association, and other bodies working under the auspices of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

With the end of military dictatorship in the 1980s, Korea saw the arrival of consumerism caused by a surge in disposable income and economic growth. This paved the way for high fashion and the beginning of fashion shows in the 1990s. Fast forward a few years and, as Tokyo's significance in the global fashion industry grew, the Korean government started to develop and emphasise Seoul as an international fashion hub. Consequently, Seoul Fashion Week began in 2000, financially spearheaded by the government. Over the last ten years, it has given many talented Korean designers the opportunity to showcase their work. Andre Kim is perhaps Korea's most famous export whilst Doii Lee, who has worked with Kenzo and Christian Dior, has shown in Paris as well as Seoul. So, through Seoul Fashion Week, some Korean designers have received global recognition.

Yet, in Korea, the industry still seems slightly insular, with little Western coverage of Seoul Fashion Week, few international buyers attending its shows and a general lack of English on its website. This is highly problematic for foreigners and buyers wanting to purchase tickets. The shows have also been accused of being conservative and bland, attributed to being government funded. Here is an insightful article about the problems and challenges facing the Korean fashion industry http://www.koreaherald.com/lifestyle/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20100405000712.

The general consensus from this article is that Korea has to make information more readily accessible to the outside world in order for Seoul Fashion Week to grow and elevate itself to compete with London, New York, Paris and Milan. Shows need to become less conservative and more flamboyant to interest international press and buyers. Furthermore, going global is necessary for the future of the Korean fashion industry http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/06/199_58048.html and the government must use its resources to do this. More Korean designers need to receive global recognition. During New York Fashion Week in February, ten Korean designers showcased their work in Concept Korea, a government initiative. And hopefully, Seoul Fashion Week S/S 11 will help solve these issues furthermore and emphasise the talent and quality of Korean designers to international markets. I know I'm very excited about the possibilities and surprises I might see this Sunday.

On a last note, I realise this is a very patchy account of the industry. There is very little information in English about its history and growth. However, I hope the articles I have included give a basic understanding of the industry and its issues.

Blair Waldorf in Seoul

Blair Waldrof's prim, preppy and classic Upper Eastside style has been admired by fashionistas since the beginning of Gossip Girl three years ago. An essential aspect to her carefully executed outfits is the headband. From tartan to satin, with feathers to embellishments, Blair's perfectly waved hair is never seen without a headband in seasons one and two of Gossip Girl.

Because of Gossip Girl, headbands were no longer reminiscent of five year old girls. They could be stylish and sassy. However, long before Blair and her preppy chic, Korean women were experimenting with hair accessories. They adore headbands. One can rarely walk down the street without seeing a selection of them. Girlie and cute, Koreans look youthful and pretty wearing them. It is apparent here, through pop culture and adverts, women like being simultaneously sexy and cute. Headbands enhance this, being youthful, quirky and classic.

Throughout Seoul, one can find headbands with embellishments and adorned with feathers or pleated silk. They come in an assortment of bright, vivid colours and prints. Without a doubt, Blair Waldorf would be in headband heaven in Seoul.

Cute and pretty: Silk Button

Silk Button is a tiny, concept store where accessories are made from patterned silk. It has an assortment of eye catching bows and flowers attached to hairbands and clips, vivid button earrings and feminine scarfs. The accessories are pretty, quirky and very affordable with prices ranging from 2000 to 15000 won.

Branches of Silk Button can be found in Myeong dong and Hyewha. All photos, except the last one, were taken by me.

Aland: the Korean Urban Outfitters

Located in Myeong dong, Aland is an attractive, stimulating concept store with four levels of male and female clothing and accessories. It is similar to Urban outfitters in combining vintage, unusual labels, handmade jewellery and quirky stationary. With battered cupboards for changing room and broken old radios as decor, one could spend hours in here enjoying the electronic tunes and admiring the effortlessly hip shop assistants.

The store carries around 80 labels, ranging from affordable to purse breaking. It is especially great for denim with brands such as Cheap Monday. The Korean designs are distinct with well cut blazers, textured leggings and printed cotton t-shirts. I spotted a beautiful, navy, wool coat with a detachable cape, a practicable take on this seasons cape trend.

The jewellery is pretty and cute. There are delicate bracelets with birds and semi precious stones, lavish headbands adorned with feathers and intricate, frivolous earrings channelling old Hollywood glamour.



Unfortunately, Aland is susceptible to the pushing and shoving crowds of Myeong dong at the weekend. So, I would recommend visiting this store on a weekday, when you can leisurely browse the racks of stylish designs. Additionally, there is also an online store http://www.a-land.co.kr/shop/main/index.php.

An Apology

For anyone who reads my blog (and truth be told this is only two people), I apologise for the lack of posts lately. I was relaxing on holiday in Hong Kong, one of my favourite cities in Asia. Now, my relaxing is over as I only have three or four months left in Korea. So, I need to get typing speedily and document the most important and riveting aspects of Korean fashion.

For now, above are a few pictures from Hong Kong, a buzzing shopping metropolis with some of the highest retail estate prices in the world. It is a perfect shopping destination, if you can afford a Tiffany's ring or a Cartier watch to compliment that Chanel bag. In Kowloon, the streets are bursting with City Chain stores selling copious amounts of watches and glossy designer stores such as Chanel and Prada. Kowloon does have cheaper options, with Temple Street market selling Chinese traditional dress, spongebob boxers and I heart Hong Kong t-shirts.

It is a very different shopping experience to the cheap but quaint boutiques of Hongdae or the crammed narrow alleys of Myeong dong in Seoul. Yet, Hong Kong has a unique atmosphere, bustling and often chaotic, with tradition and modernity jostling for position. At night, people only pause for a few seconds to take in the stunning skyline, before walking swiftly into the overwhelming neon of Nathan road. It may not have shopping like Seoul but it is a captivating Asian city, with, perhaps, the best skyline in the world. And, after taking in these vivid lights, you can always buy a watch or two.