Seoul Fashion Week gains attention for Street Style
Saumya Sinha
Staff Writer
The dominating event of the fashion industry- Fashion Week is led by New York, Milan, London, and Paris. But everyone is raving about Seoul, South Korea in 2024. South Korea has always been an avid admirer of fashion. In 2023, households in South Korea spent an average of around 139.2 thousand South Korean won on clothing and footwear. But especially for the spring/summer collection of 2024, Seoul has taken the industry by storm with its revolutionizing interpretation of street fashion.
The buzz of the crowds was gathered under the assumption that the ambassadors of the event would steal the show. New Jeans, a new and upcoming K-Pop girl group, were the ambassadors. Their unique new approach to the industry along with a young outlook, were the perfect pick for the position. However, critics were appalled by the incredibly bold looks adorned by the attendees outside the show. The eclectic mix of influences – from K-pop idols and indie musicians to graffiti artists and skateboarders – contributes to the diversity and dynamism of Seoul’s street fashion, attracting attention from fashion capitals like Paris, Milan, and New York.
Street fashion is an accurate representation of the pure love for fashion. It emerged outside of studios when people started following their passion for portraying who they were, through normal casual clothes in creative ways. 2024 Seoul Street Fashion had the perfect combination of edgy looks with casual everyday wear. It has an expressive and reflective sense of individuality in it. The biggest similarity among various individuals was the use of oversized silhouettes and monochromatic styling. Accessorizing was key when choosing monochromatic styles for most people. Some of the elaborate accessories were opulent faux fur jackets, skin-tight leather pants, bucket hats, mini shorts, western hats, fishnets, silver jewelry including chains and buckles, etc.
There’s no doubt that the combination of silver and black was the color of the season. Layering was also a powerful tool that was widely used. The phenomenal pieces have been taking over every fashion conversation around the world. The makeup and hair stayed timid compared to the bold and statement pieces that were worn. There was mostly natural makeup with the use of dusty pastels on the smokey eyes. The hair was observed to be slicked back or perfectly cultivated to look messy.
Furthermore, the rise of social media has played a pivotal role in amplifying the influence of Seoul Street fashion on a global scale. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have enabled fashion enthusiasts to share their style with a worldwide audience, democratizing fashion in the process. Korean fashion influencers, known for their impeccable sense of style and trendsetting prowess, have amassed millions of followers, cementing Seoul’s status as a fashion capital. It is hard to disagree that Seoul’s emerging influence on the global fashion stage is a force to reckon with.
Contact Saumya at saumya.sinha@student.shu.edu