Seoul Fashion Week kicks off at DDP with celeb-packed Songzio show

Model and actor Cha Seung-won returned to the runway for Songzio’s opening show at Seoul Fashion Week 2023 Spring/Summer on Tuesday. [SONGZIO]

 
Seoul Fashion Week is making a full return to the offline stage after a lengthy hiatus due to the Covid pandemic at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Dongdaemun District, eastern Seoul.

 
The event kicked off with the 2023 Spring/Summer (S/S) collection on Tuesday. A total of 32 domestic designer brands that have proven to be prominent in the Korean fashion scene are showcasing their newest styles until Saturday.
 
The event had been forced to shift online since the beginning of the pandemic and back in March, shows were only partially held offline at different venues for 2022 Fall/Winter collections.
 

Model Han Hye-jin returned to the runway for Songzio’s opening show at Seoul Fashion Week 2023 Spring/Summer on Tuesday. [SONGZIO]

 
“During the pandemic, all the shows were filmed in advance at places that represent Korean heritage and culture, such as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and palaces, and then were broadcasted globally,” Cho Hye-jeong, director of the Korean government’s beauty and fashion industry division, told the Korea JoongAng Daily. “So many people from around the world had expressed their interest in Korean fashion, particularly on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
 
“This edition of Seoul Fashion Week involves many local brands that contemplate topics of sustainability and eco-friendliness. We’re expecting a lot of overseas buyers to visit the shows.”
 

Dancer Aiki walked the runway for Songzio’s opening show at Seoul Fashion Week 2023 Spring/Summer on Tuesday. [SONGZIO]

 
Demoo Parkchoonmoo (by designer Park Choon-moo) and Songzio were the first two brands to open this year’s fashion week. The Songzio show, one of Korea’s top menswear brands led by fashion designer Song Zio, was held on an 120-meter (393-feet) long outdoor runway and was attended by dozens of celebrities, including K-pop group Viviz, Astro’s JinJin, CNBlue’s Kang Min-hyuk, BTOB’s Lee Minhyuk and iKON’s DK, and actors Kim Young-dae, Oh Ji-ho and Kwon Sang-woo, who is the ambassador for Seoul Fashion Week 2023 S/S.
 
Songzio, in particular, garnered attention as actor Cha Seung-won (Songzio’s longtime muse), models Han Hye-jin and Bae Jung-nam and dancer Aiki (who earned newfound fame through Mnet’s street dance competition show “Street Woman Fighter” last year), strutted on the catwalk, donning the brand’s 63rd collection.
 
The 1,000 seats were packed with eager onlookers. After the show was over, fashion lovers busily took selfies and photographs of each other, showing their excitement at finally being able to flash their unique outfits in person.
 
“We’re thrilled to be able to be with everyone here today, since fashion lovers such as yourselves were probably thirsty for the offline stage while it was held online,” said Lee Suk-ja, chairman of the planning and economy committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, just before the Songzio show began.
 
“We’ll do our best to make sure Seoul makes its place as a global fashion leader by actively supporting Korean designers and brands.”
 

A tradeshow is taking place alongside Seoul Fashion Week 2023 S/S. In addition to booths under the theme of sustainability and environmentally-friendly materials, the tradeshow is hosting seminars regarding the future of fashion. [YONHAP]

 
A tradeshow is also taking place alongside Seoul Fashion Week 2023 S/S. In addition to booths under the theme of sustainability and environmentally-friendly materials, the tradeshow will host seminars on the future of fashion.
 
Potential clients and retailers can connect with 86 brands — 47 clothing and 39 jewelry.
 
Because it is Seoul Fashion Week’s long-awaited return to the offline stage, it is also hosting a number of events, like a DJ performance on Friday at 3 p.m. at the DDP’s Oullim Square stage. A QR market, which allows visitors to buy fashion garments from the available brands via QR codes on site, continues through Friday at the DDP.
 

French fashion house Ami held its first Korean fashion show at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Tuesday night. [AMI]

 
On the sidelines, French fashion house Ami held its first Korean fashion show at the Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Tuesday night.  
 
For those who are unable to attend, Seoul Fashion Week 2023 S/S can be viewed online. Events are being livestreamed through YouTube. Visit the website for more information.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]