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Korean Fashion Brands: The Rise Of Korean Couture And The Brands You Need To Know

Check out the 10 best Korean clothing brands to get you started with Korean fashion. - by Rhys McKay
  • 31 Jul 2019
Korean Fashion Brands: The Rise Of Korean Couture And The Brands You Need To Know

First it was K-pop taking over the international Billboard charts. Then it was Korean cosmetics and skincare that started flooding Western markets. Now, the hallyu (Korean wave) has taken the fashion world by storm, with Korean clothing brands filling store shelves and online retailers across the Western world. Here’s what you need to know about all these Korean fashion brands, and which ones deserve a spot in your closet.

RELATED: Princess Mary wows South Korea with these gorgeous fashions

Korean Clothing Brands: The Rise Of Korean Fashion

While other cultures have fashion histories that extend as far back as the 19th century, Korea’s fashion industry is relatively new. 

The first Korean person to have a fashion show in Paris was Andre Kim, who presented his work in 1966. However, it wasn’t until the 90s that Korean fashion would become well-known around the world. In 1990, designer Lee Shin Woo presented his work in the Tokyo Collection. And in 1992, several designers had their work displayed at a pret-a-porter show in Paris. 

The highly positive international reception of these designers led the Korean government to start promoting local fashion, a big part of the aggressive cultural expansion that the government was undertaking in the 90s.

In the 2000s, K-pop and K-dramas began spreading all over Asia, and later on to America and Europe. The eclectic style of the characters and celebrities of Korean culture were a huge hit around the world and brought Korean fashion into international consciousness.

Today, the capital city of Seoul is a major fashion hub of Asia, and Seoul Fashion Week carries similar prestige to the Fashion Weeks of cities like Tokyo, New York, and Paris. The government is constantly searching for new designers to promote and support, while textile industries are heavily funded and regulated.

The Top Clothing Brands In Korea

Looking to get started with Korean fashion? Here are the brands you need to check out.

10. 8Seconds

When huge fast fashion brands like Uniqlo and Zara started spreading around Asia, they became well-known in each new country as high-quality but affordable ways of sticking to modern trends. 

In response, textile manufacturer Cheil Industries created 8Seconds in 2012, using its Samsung Group money for an aggressive marketing campaign. Today, they release new collections nearly every week, allowing you to stay on top of trends without breaking the bank.

8seconds_official View Profile
351 likes - View Post on Instagram
- #8SxME 모델 바누's PICK 데일리룩 스타일! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 블랙의 슬리브리스 티셔츠와 스티치 디테일 자켓, 자연스러운 워싱의 데님 팬츠로 완성한 시크한 룩⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 지금 에잇세컨즈 매장과 SSF샵에서 모델 바누가 스타일링한 아이템을 만나보세요! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MyFavoriteMe #8SxME #나정도면괜찮아 #We_launch_styles_every_week ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ - #대한민국SPA#8seconds #에잇세컨즈 #SSFSHOP #패션스타그램 #데일리룩 #OOTD #바누 #모델바누

9. Tibaeg

Designer Cho Eun Ae’s brand Tibaeg counters the unisex, street fashion trends of Korean fashion, focusing on more relaxed, feminine silhouettes and less aggressive prints – a fitting fashion identity for a brand whose name is inspired by the smooth flavours and elegance of teabags. Tibaeg has since collaborated with international brands such as Disney and Louis Quatorze.

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2019 S/S RESORT SUMMER OPS 청량감 있게 입을 수 있는 오프숄더입니다. 스모킹 되어있는 허리 벨트로 다채롭게 스타일링 가능하답니다 😁 - #tibaeg #tibaegseoul #티백 #티백서울

8. Lucky Chouette

Lucky Chouette is the brainchild of Kim Jae-hyun, who was a part of the ‘Seoul’s 10 Soul’ project that aimed to boost awareness of up-and-coming Korean designers. With its signature bright colours, cute prints, and unique contours, Lucky Chouette is an eclectic brand that’s popular among the younger crowd.

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[#NEW] ⠀⠀⠀ LUCKY FLORIDA, under the sun ✨온라인몰 프리오더 진행중✨ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ #럭키슈에뜨 #럭키모자 #라피아 #라피아햇 #럭키슈에뜨모자 #썸머햇 #비포선라이즈햇2 #럭키슈에뜨라피아 #luckychouette#myluckychouette

7. Charm’s

The style of street fashion brand Charm’s is rooted in nostalgia. Their 90s-style aesthetic has become popular with many local celebrities, and they’ve had several collaborations with fashion icons like Instagram personality Irene Kim, and K-pop stars like Key Ki-bum, who actually became fashion director of the brand.

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#korea #charms [ CHARM'S ] . 샤이니 키 님께서 CHARM'S COLLECTION을 착용하셨습니다. . ▶http://store-charms.com . #참스 #참스데일리 #charms #charmsdaily #샤이니 #SHINEE #키 #key

6. The Studio K

While most fashion brands love to emphasise the human form, Studio K prefers to relish in high technology and industrial looks, making it one of the most unique-looking brands on our list.

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the studio k 2018 SS summer capsule collection "summer garden" LINEN SAILOR LONG DRESS _NAVY ✔️www.thestudiok.com 출시하자마자 품절되어 리오더 진행중인 아이템입니다 11일 월요일에 입고 예정입니다 감사합니다 🙌🏻 #thestudiok #더스튜디오케이 #2018ss #summer #capsule #collection #linen #sailor #long #dress

5. Lie

Designer Lee Chung Chung might have cut his teeth in the Korean menswear industry, but today he’s better-known for his women’s brand Lie. His label is highlighted by a tendency to mix different hues and patterns, and for some uniquely androgynous-looking women’s clothes that have elements taken from men’s fashion.

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Dressed for the Weekend 🌹 @diane_zhao - - - - #liecollection #newcollection #whattowear #summerstyle #LIElook #summer #ss19look #collection #LIE #ss19 #outfitideas #shopping #outfitdujour #dress #blue #buttons

4. Hyein Seo

Designer Hyein Seo has led a charmed life in the industry. While still in school, she was invited to present her work at New York Fashion Week. She was later on honoured with Best Designer at the International Fashion Showcase of the British Fashion Council. Rihanna has even worn her work!

Today, Hyein Seo’s innovative streetwear label continues to impress, eschewing bright colours in favour of monochromatic patterns and textures, while presenting uniquely oversized silhouettes that manage to maintain their femininity.

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#HYEINSEO Spring/Summer 2017 "SOUTH OF THE BORDER" Photo by @monimogi

3. KYE

Detroit-based designer Kathleen Hanhee Kye studied at the prestigious London design school, Central Saint Martins. She graduated in 2011 and started her own self-titled label, KYE, later that year. Kye has since bagged a number of awards and nods in the global fashion industry, including the LVMH (Louis Vuitton) Prize for Young Fashion Designers, and the International Woolmark Prize Asia regional finals for womenswear. 

Today, KYE is a rising brand that’s well known for its street fashion pieces and having been worn by celebrities like Khloe Kardashian and Rihanna.

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RIHANNA @badgalriri rocking #KYE FW15 two toned crystal fur jacket at March Madness MUsic Festival ❤️💎💙❤️💎 #RIRI #KYELOVESRIRI #NUMBERONEFAN #MMMF

2. Beyond Closet

Taeyong Ko created Beyond Closet in 2008 to appeal to young men looking for a more casual, vibrant look that challenges the traditionally muted palettes of menswear. They’ve got college jerseys, sweaters, coats, parkas, and they even have a women’s lineup.

Taeyong Ko was the costume designer on the set of the hit K-drama Boys Over Flowers, and if you liked the outfits on the show, you can expect a spiritually similar theme from Beyond Closet.

1. Style Nanda

Style Nanda was started in 2004 by Kim So-hee as an online secondhand clothes reseller. Today, it’s one of the most popular makeup and fashion brands in Korea, with a 2017 revenue of $152 million. With 1.3 million Instagram followers, it’s one of the best-known Korean fashion brands around the world and is among the top go-to brands for foreign Korean fashion enthusiasts who’ve just started exploring.

To top it all off, in 2018, L’Oreal bought a controlling stake in the company, indicating international confidence in the quality and innovation of its products. 

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내추럴한 감성의 데일리룩💕 Jacket: 멋쁨테일러드 인디핑크하프JK Dress: 내추럴드레시 스트랩캉ops #stylenanda #summer

RELATED: High End Fashion Brands: 15 of the World's Top Designers

Rhys McKay

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