With the success of Korean models like Irene Kim and Ji Hyun Woo, it’s evident that fashion is just as important in Korea as anywhere else. But why? To understand why this niche industry has grown to become so important, you first have to look at its roots. Check out this article to find out more about the fascinating history of fashion in Korea!
Hallyu Stars and Music
K-pop has grown internationally, and overseas markets have embraced Korean culture. Hallyu stars often break into the Western mainstream, helping further to promote Korean fashion to the rest of the world. As Korean models are increasingly influenced by Western culture, they also find that Korean style is on trend abroad, reflecting their home country’s trends. Music and popular K-pop groups like Big Bang and EXO often appear at high-profile music awards shows. From swarms of photographers and excited fans to concert tours worldwide, K-pop influences the Korean style more than ever.
Korean fashion influences can be seen worldwide – through fan meetups or Hallyu content in TV shows, movies, or other popular media outlets globally.
Influencers and Role Models
What makes a woman beautiful or fashionable? Their clothing, right? Without even realizing it, women become absorbed by the idea of becoming stylish and looking good. As soon as they put on clothes, they’re already part of the fashion world. For some people, celebrities are their influencers who will teach them about clothes and style and give them tips on what to wear. One South Korean celebrity who influenced me regarding fashion is Yoona from Girls Generation. She’s not only a great singer, but she’s also a fashionable star who knows how to be chic with her street style yet can still show off more glamorous styles for photo shoots with Elle Korea or magazine editorials.
Cosplay Culture
One of the most popular aspects of K-pop worldwide is the explosive growth of Korean cosplay culture. Like many other Asian countries, thousands of Koreans enjoy cosplaying anime characters. There’s a wide variety of reasons for this fad, but it largely boils down to how long and dramatic these dramas tend to be. Due to the length and often melodramatic nature, Korean soap operas are ripe for fan fiction, including details like character appearances and wardrobe. Although costuming oneself as a favorite character could be considered a form of creative expression, it’s not merely a free-spirited activity with no strings attached.
Street Style
Take a stroll through the streets of Seoul, and you’ll quickly see that Korean fashion is all about chic silhouettes, useful accessories, and dramatic prints. Usually, the only accessory needed is a glistening pair of sunglasses (preferably something with rhinestones). Others might wear a unique hat or lace-up boots for fall. It’s not unusual to spot groups of friends clad head-to-toe in matching denim – Koreans are keen on being stylish from head to toe!
How South Korea influences fashion trends
Fashion has always been an essential part of the South Korean lifestyle, from the street style of Seoul to pop culture music videos. Yet because South Korea is a rapidly modernizing country, what’s cool and fashionable evolves so quickly that it’s nearly impossible to keep up.
One might think that the newly affluent people have had such an immense impact on what Westerners call Korean fashion, but Koreans have always paid attention to trends coming from abroad. For example, when high-end luxury brands such as Gucci entered the market in 1995, Koreans’ attitude towards foreign fashion was completely different than today: they were initially captivated by luxury items that cost upwards of $10,000!
What makes Korean fashion unique?
When people think of Korean fashion, what typically comes to mind are designers such as Elle and Soo Young. However, many distinct features make Korean clothing different from Western styles. One of the most noticeable characteristics of Korean clothes is their fitted form—they tend to hug the body. Other characteristics include intricate embellishments like lace and silk threading (especially on dress shirts), which typically take more time and effort to produce than other garment styles.
Why is Korean street fashion so popular?
Walking the streets of Seoul, you’ll notice many people wearing edgy, high-end brands like Supreme and Saint Laurent. But it’s not all about the expensive brands. You’ll see a lot of trendy streetwear stores along popular shopping districts too. Because Korean brands have been on a roll lately, they can’t afford to rest on their laurels and are constantly pushing out new styles every season to stay on top of the game.
Conclusion
As for the second question, the first response is that people think clothes are a status symbol and wearing luxury brands can improve your image. Similarly, I found that many people associate certain designer brands with the fashionable life, so if you can afford them, you must be on top of your game. However, this was not true for me because many fashionable people do not wear designer clothes or anything remotely expensive! The key takeaway is that it depends on the person wearing them. The only thing they care about when they put on their clothes or take them off is how they feel inside themselves.
