Seoul fashion scene unfolds at Dongdaemun Design Plaza

2019 Spring-Summer Hera Seoul Fashion Week wrapped up its six-day run Saturday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul, where fashion ruled both inside and outside the venue.A total of 42 established fashion brands and 24 rookie designer brands showcased their creations for the upcoming spring-summer season, through the Seoul Collection and Generation Next, respectively. Meanwhile, fashion enthusiasts gathered to show off their own unique, stylish looks. A model presents a creation by Ti:bae

Oct. 22, 2018

[Weekender] Mountaineering clothing climbs down to city life

Korea is a mountainous country with mountains taking up 70 to 80 percent of the land mass. Though downtown areas may barely hint at the presence of mountains amid the skyscrapers and traffic, there are some visual reminders that Korea is a nation of mountains: middle-aged people dressed in mountaineering clothing without a hiking plan on their mind. The “athleisure” look of wearing clothes for athletic activities in everyday life has settled itself as more than a passing trend in the fashion sce

Oct. 18, 2018

Can Seoul Fashion Week ever be show for the people?

Dongdaemun Design Plaza has been swarming with crowds of “fashion people,” as the 2019 S/S Hera Seoul Fashion Week kicked off Monday. Fashionable visitors have been showing up in bold outfits, ready to show off their unique styles. According to the Seoul Design Foundation -- the state-funded institution in charge of running the event -- around 60,000 people visited the venue Monday and Tuesday.  A model presents creation by Youser during the 2019 Spring-Summer Hera Seoul Fashion Week fashion sho

Oct. 18, 2018

2D illustrations breathe life into luxury fashion

For fashion enthusiasts and luxury goods lovers, an exhibition of fashion illustrator Megan Hess’ work is soon to open in Seoul. The Australian illustrator is known across the world for her work with luxury fashion houses and celebrities. She became a big figure in the fashion scene after drawing the cover illustration for the “Sex and the City” book after the series became a hit.  Fashion illustrator Megan Hess speaks during a press event held Tuesday at The Seouliteum in eastern Seoul. (Yonhap

Oct. 16, 2018

Nam June Paik Art Center holds 10th anniversary exhibition

An elephant pulls a cart loaded with devices like television sets, radios, telephones and gramophone speakers while a Buddha statue -- sitting on the elephant under an umbrella -- leads the way ahead. These once dominant means of communication are featured in artist Nam June Paik’s work “Elephant Cart.” It is one of the works on display as part of “Art Commons, Nam June Paik,” which kicked off at the Nam June Paik Art Center on Thursday. The exhibition reintroduces Paik’s artworks, along with th

Oct. 14, 2018

Seoul Fashion Week ready for kickoff

2019 S/S Hera Seoul Fashion Week, a major fashion event for fashion insiders and outsiders, is set to begin its six-day run on Monday.The biennial event, hosted by the Seoul Design Foundation to cement the city’s status as Asia’s main fashion hub, is to take place at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul through Saturday. The exterior of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Seoul Design Foundation) Poster image for 2019 S/S Hera Seoul Fashion Week (Seoul Design Foundation)Menswear designer Woo Yo

Oct. 14, 2018

Seoul Auction to refund MMCA over 2003 sale of counterfeit painting

Seoul Auction is to refund the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art over the 2003 sale of a painting that has since been declared a counterfeit.During a parliamentary audit of the state museum on Thursday, Rep. Kim Jae-won of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party pointed out that the museum had bought a counterfeit of Rhee Seund-ja’s painting “Memory of Hidden Trees” and criticized the museum for lax management of its collection.Memory of Hidden Trees,” which has been declared a coun

Oct. 12, 2018

Meeting trees, forests and mountains and ourselves at Museum San

While art galleries and museums are usually associated with a refined atmosphere, Museum San distinguishes itself by fully embracing nature as a frame.Designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, the museum defines itself with three words: space, art and nature. It is located next to the Oak Valley, a resort complex of golf courses and ski slopes, less than two hours’ drive from central Seoul. An outdoor view of Museum San (Museum San)To enter the museum, visitors must walk through natural scenery

Oct. 11, 2018

Kim Seong-heui exhibition portrays contemporary individual

A solo exhibition of works by Kim Seong-heui, an artist and oriental painting professor at Seoul National University, will open Friday at Chosun Ilbo Gallery in Seoul. Titled “Constellation Link-Transparent Human,” the exhibition will comprise some 30 works by the artist.  “Constellation Link-Transparent Human” “Constellation Link-Transparent Human”Kim uses traditional mulberry paper for her paintings, putting together three to four pieces of mulberry paper before she paints to create a backgrou

Oct. 10, 2018

[Weekender] Natural, matte and rose for this fall

In line with the #MeToo movement in Korea, there have been ongoing efforts among women here to break free of their “social corsets” either consciously or subconsciously. The metaphorical corset has found its way into modern slang. Korean women call the movement to reject the requirement to wear makeup and dress a certain way “tal-corset,” “tal-co” or “corset-free.” But not everyone feels the same, and even some of those who reject the obligation might wear occasional makeup. So it still wouldn’t

Oct. 4, 2018

Despite anti-fur sentiment, fur stays in fashion scene, targeting young

Though the fur-free movement has been sweeping the fashion industry, some designers continue to experiment with the natural material, targeting the younger generation with hip, trendy designs. The anti-fur movement is not new. In September, the British Fashion Council announced all the designers for London Fashion Week would ditch fur for the shows. The city of Los Angeles is currently planning to ban the sale of fur.  Models wear fur creations by rookie designers at Asia Remix fashion show held

Oct. 4, 2018

Pop artist Kenny Scharf brings visual chaos to Seoul

American pop artist Kenny Scharf’s solo exhibition “Super Pop Universe,” which launched Wednesday at the Lotte Museum of Art in Seoul, opens up a whole new universe for viewers and encourages them to reflect on reality.A visual celebration of the daily lives of people and the world they inhabit, Scharf’s paintings and sculptures are colorful and witty -- for the most part. The world that the artist presents requires a bit of effort to comprehend, however.  Installation view of Kenny Scharf’s “Co

Oct. 4, 2018

Approaching minimalism with current perspectives

Interpretations of minimalism by 11 Korean artists went on show at the Seoul National University Museum of Art on Monday. The works on display at “Minimal Variation” depict forms of beauty that are aesthetically simple and austere.However, the works of the participating contemporary Korean artists often run counter to the principles espoused by minimalism in the past: The artists have arrived at their own interpretations of minimalism.  Oh Wan-seok’s “Underpainting” (MoA)Minimalism, popular in t

Oct. 2, 2018

Stella McCartney embraces roots, talks animal rights

PARIS (AP) -- Stella McCartney presented her first Paris Fashion Week collection since taking full control of her eponymous design house this year by buying the 50 percent stake owned by luxury product giant Kering.The British-American designer used her independence to go back to her artistic roots on the runway Monday and spoke to the Associated Press about fashion’s fledging steps to go fur-free and about animal rights in the industry. Models wear creations for Stella McCartney’s Spring/Summer

Oct. 2, 2018

Korean artist Lee Bul retrospective opens in Berlin

Korean artist Lee Bul’s retrospective exhibition kicked off Friday at Martin-Gropius-Bau in Berlin.The artist’s 2015-16 work “Willing to Be Vulnerable,” a 17-meter-long sculpture that looks like a Hindenburg airship or Zeppelin, is included in the 127 works that span over some 30 years and are on show. “Willing to Be Vulnerable” was first shown at the 20th Biennale of Sydney in 2016. “Scale of Tongue,” Lee’s latest work, is also presented at Martin-Gropius-Bauwill.The exhibition sheds light on h

Sept. 30, 2018

With Asia Focus, national museum amplifies Asian voices in global art world

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, kicked off the second edition of Asia Focus on Friday at its Seoul branch. This year’s Asia Focus -- a program launched last year to support artists in Asia -- runs through next Wednesday. Asia Focus forms part of MMCA Performing Arts, a yearlong program dedicated to interdisciplinary performances. This year, the museum co-commissioned five Asian artists -- Ho Tzu Nyen of Singapore, Meiro Koizumi of Japan, Dai Chenlian of China, Hong Kon

Sept. 28, 2018

[Weekender] Fall walks to art museums near Gyeongbokgung

The fall has arrived and so has the season for strolling. In downtown Seoul, the area near central palace Gyeongbokgung is the favorite haunt of locals and tourists alike looking to enjoy fine culture and dining alike.On either side of the massive Gwanghwamun Square in front of the palace are the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History and Sejong Center. The two large cultural institutions within close walking distance are perhaps ideal spots to start an “art walk” in Seoul. An installati

Sept. 27, 2018

‘Crafts of Fire’ adds practicability to Korean tradition

Bringing together master artisans and young craftsmen, Yeol, the Korean Heritage Preservation Society, is holding an exhibition of modern craft art inspired by traditional craftsmanship.“Crafts of Fire” at the exhibition space Yeol Bukchonga in the neighborhood of Bukchon, central Seoul, running until Oct. 18, is a culmination of a yearlong project by iron casting master Kim Jong-hoon and young glass artist Yang Yoo-wan. Glass pieces blown by glass artist Yang Yoo-wan are on display at Yeol Bukc

Sept. 27, 2018

[Herald Interview] Bespoke suits tailored for comfort

Walking into a tailor shop, one imagines being greeted by a stylish, well-manicured man. He sports a classic yet chic beard and is dressed in an expensive-looking bespoke suit, complete with lapel pins, cufflinks and a silk pocket square. Stepping into Matthew in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province, a 30-minute drive southeast of Seoul, a different picture unfolds. A tall woman in her 30s walks up to you with a big smile, donning a long dress. She introduces herself: Kang Ae-wan, master tailor of the sho

Sept. 27, 2018

[Herald Interview] Oh Min’s ‘Etude’ brings the language of the stage into the realm of visual arts

Can dancers practice their art with etudes, like classical musicians? Artist Oh Min’s “Etude ABCD” at Atelier Hermes in Seoul is an exhibition that comprises a set of dance etudes with intricately woven choreography.The winner of the 17th Hermes Foundation Missulsang, Oh is an artist who brings the language of the stage into the realm of visual arts.  Artist Oh Min poses in front of her video installation, “Etude A,” part of an exhibition titled “Etude ABCD,” at Atelier Hermes in Seoul. (Atelier

Sept. 26, 2018