After seeing the three designers behind Yohanix, Kimmy J and Greedilous, chosen from this year's Concept Korea in Seoul the other month it was amazing to finally see their work on the runway at this year's NYFW on September 8th, 2016. This marked Concept Koreas fourteenth time showing at NYFW and the show certainly didn’t disappointed. As the New York Orchestra welcomed in guests and played throughout the show, playing songs from both well known American pop songs, with the inclusion of some K-pop songs, all conducted by Wonhaeng Cho, the show was moving and dramatic.
We open the show to..
YOHANIX
Yohanix collection was inspired by “Defining One’s True Self’. As Kim expresses his dissatisfaction of people wanting to be accepted and welcomed unconditionally by people, however not extending the same virtue to others. With the print on his garments such as “Herr vergib uns” placed on the sleeve of a front open slit denim jacket and "Nur Gott kann uber mich urtielen,” embrodided across the front of an off the shoulder top, and on the sleeve of a camouflage army jacket, which when translated from German means “Lord Forgive Us” and “Only God Can Judge Me”, Kim's message is clear.
The collection wasn't without humor though. as we see one of the Yohanix girls stride down the runway with a t-shirt emblazoned with a drawn on smiling emoji, paired with a white lace skirt.
With Kim’s use of lace, and embroidery, and strong silver hardware with frayed denim and reconstructed shirts, we see the strong message within Kim's collection, but all still with the Yohanix DNA.
Kim has once again managed to create a collection that balances both femininity with his use of lace, but juxtaposed it with humour, and a street urban vibe that keeps the look edgy. Some of the hero pieces in the collection include a stunning black ruffled and sequined skirt, that Kim toughens up by styling it with a black Yohanix t-shirt. Other hero pieces include a plaid and denim shirt, and an off the shoulder reconstructed denim shirt. The Yohanix army is back and just as cool as ever.
KIMMY J
Kimmy J always designs with a social message in mind and thoughts of friends and loved ones and this collection is no different. Named “7969 KARMA” Kim is including her family this time, as the number signifies Kim’s childhood years as well as her parents childhood years.
The collection is made up of old school vibes and 90’s feel’s reinterpreted as we see re-designed sportswear pieces, using satin, velvet and chiffon. The collection is streetwear meets updated luxe sportswear with throwbacks to the past with crushed velvet matching tracksuits.
Some of the highlights of the collection include a black chiffon see throughs street chic jacket, long sleeved button down chiffon shirt with embroidered birds and off the shoulder satin long sleeved top.
The collection ignites memories of years passed but with a re-interpreted edge that is all about looking forward.
GREEDILOUS
Younhee Park's inspiration for this years SS17 collection was drawn from a trip to an amusement park in Canada as she tells me, “The amusement park became one of my inspirations. 100 years ago that space was where they made war weapons. It was a very dark space that was renovated into a really fantastic amusement park and this inspired me to become a source of hope for people, and project that on to my work.”
The collection was certainly inspired by hope. With a stunning collection of well thought out pieces that appeal to different aspects of a woman’s personality. Whilst being extremely feminine and girly, Park has also included some toughened up pieces with a bomber jacket, stunning black wide legged trousers, cigarette pants, and a neutral pencil skirt suit for those who don’t have a leaning towards strong colours and prints.
Elevated even further from last season, we see this collection include a beautifully crafted ruffled skirt, layered to one side with luxe texturing and Park’s original print on the other. Other hero pieces include a pastel print silk t-shirt and cigarette pants, black tweed biker jacket and wide leg pants, and GREEDILOUS matching print skirt and t-shirt paired with a red patent bomber.