Mercedes Benz Fashion Week NYC: Son Jung Wan Fall/Winter 2015

Ever since I attended the Concept Korea fashion show a few years ago at Lincoln Center, I've been a big fan of Korean designer Son Jung Wan.  This season's Fall/Winter 2015 show did not disappoint.  

 The color wheel ran the gamut of rich hues including fuchsia, violet, orange, turquoise, mint gree, with metallic gold and silver thrown in to the mix.

I imagined myself wrapped in the brilliantly colored and  luscious coats made of fox and beaver fur, cashmere coats dramatically trimmed in fur, ideal for frigid New York City temperatures.  

These brightly colored pieces would definitely make an sophisticated alternative to the masses of urban black puffer coats (e.g. Canada Goose, Moncler) and keep you warm!

SOFA - The International Exhibition of Sculpture Objects and Functional Art

I stopped by the SOFA (Sculpture Objects and Functional Art) Art and design show which is taking place at the Park Avenue Armory on 67th St for a press preview.  There are over 20 booths showcasing whimsical sculptures, furniture, and fantastic jewelry!  I had a hard time tearing myself away from a booth that featured silicon/silk jewelry created by French designer Tzuri Gheta, who creates pieces that have been worn during runway shows for couture designers like Christian Lacroix, Chanel, and Balenciaga.  Another booth that caught my attention was the Ornamentum Gallery which featured some amazing emerging artists from around the world, including Yong Joo Kim's velcro jewelry, and elaborate handmade pieces by Swedish Designer Hanna Hedman.  The show ends on Monday April 23rd and is a must-see for art and design lovers!

Clutch designed by Tzuri Gheta

Love these earrings by Tzuri Gheta

I couldn't resist trying on this gorgeous red "coral" (actually silicon/silk) piece by Tzuri Gheta

A Tzuri Gheta piece was featured during a Balenciaga show

Pieces by Swedish designer Hanna Hedman

Designer Yong Joo Kim with her eyecatching pieces made from velcro (in gray and black).

Concept Korea Spring/Summer 2012

The Concept Korea presentation was a spectacular showcase of collections by Korean designers Doho, Lie Sang Bong, Resurrection by Juyoung, Song Jung Wan, and Steve J & Yoni P at Avery Fisher Hall.  Concept Korea is a popular design competition held by the Ministry of Sports and Tourism and  the Korean Creative Content Agency held a presentation of the 5 winners of the competition. 

Son Jung Won, who has been established in Korea since 1989 showed a strong collection called "The Power of Fusion".  The concept was that there are no trends, a "blend of retro and modern".   The color palette was simple with white, different shades of blue and silver.

Designer Song Jung Won

Lie Sang Bong, who  founded his company in 1985 is one of the most well known and established  designers in Korea.  He's nicknamed as the McQueen of Korea and it's evident in his sharp and structured pieces with intricate cutouts in bright colors in pink, purple and yellow. His Spring 2012 collection is inspired by traditional Korean architectural elements known as Dancheong, "the decorative colors painted on wooden buildings and artifacts".

Designer Lie Sang Bong on left

Lie Sang Bong

Lie Sang Bong

Doho, established in 1998 in Korea was a collection influenced by the "image which changes moment to moment by light".  Extremely femine and frilly, the Doho collection was very textured and in beautiful light jewel hues.  My favorite piece was the beautiful chain and crystal harness that sat on a models hips and decorated the front of her pants.

Doho

Doho

Doho

Doho

Doho

 Resurrection by Juyoung menswear line's concept for Spring/Summer 2012 is about the contrast.  Known for their signature men's skirts, this season was about "soft flowing materials contrasting with masculine structured silhouettes".  I noticed a lot  unconventional layering of different materials in different weights.  There were also lots of contrasting colors in red, blue, orange in traditional Korean checkered pattern.

Steve J and Yoni P

 

Son Jung Wan Fall/Winter 2011

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2011- Korean designer Son Jung Wan's collection may have had a neutral color palette of nude, taupe, ivory, and black, but satiny silk fabrics and flecked metallic silver and gold tweed created  plenty of light and shimmer. Luxurious silver fur coats and ponchos were trimmed with sequins for additional oomph.  Details such as pleating, twine and "pearl" chest details resulted in a glamorous lineup.  For some, neutral may mean boring, but not for Son Jung Wan.

Nude silk gown with deep v-front and asymmetrical accordion pleat hem