Dress codes: What should schools limit?

EVANSTON, Illinois (AP) ― They’re called leggings ― popular fashion items that are tight-fitting pants to some, and glorified tights to others. Younger girls often wear them as pants with little fuss. But as those same girls approach middle school, leggings have become a clothing accessory that’s increasingly controversial ― and seemingly, the favorite new target of the school dress code. Some schools have banned leggings outright. Others have set limits. Haven Middle School in Evanston, just no

April 23, 2014

Magnifying glasses become necklaces, handkerchiefs

As a child, jewelry designer Yoon Hye-rim loved playing with her magnifying glass. “I’ve always been an observer,” she said. “I would use it to observe flowers, insects and other things in nature.”The up-and-coming designer recently launched a brand named “Efluvi,” which offers magnifying glasses in different forms, including necklaces, handkerchiefs, and even paperweights. She is one of the artists-in-residence at Seoul Art Space Sindang, an artist residency program funded by the government at

April 23, 2014

Victoria’s Secret announces London show

LONDON (AP) ― London is getting a new fashion extravaganza ― the Victoria’s Secret Show, which will take place for the first time in the British capital this year. Victoria’s Secret models Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel joined Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek at the company’s London flagship store for the announcement Tuesday. The annual show, known for its unique lingerie and live performances by top entertainers, will be held at Earls Court in the fall and air on CBS at a later date. No sp

April 16, 2014

[Herald Interview] Designer Munsoo Kwon adds whimsy to menswear

Munsoo Kwon attracted more viewers than any other rookie designer for his runway show at this year’s Seoul Fashion Week. His show was also frequently mentioned by foreign buyers and press as a favorite during the event. Since his debut with his 2013 fall and winter collection last year, he has become one of the most anticipated young designers in Seoul. His collection, featuring modern silhouettes and fine tailoring with a unique sense of humor, was widely praised by foreign buyers and press. Fo

April 1, 2014

Rich heritage of Korean craft to be showcased in Milan

The aesthetics and rich heritage of Korean craftwork will be introduced during Milan Design Week in April. A total of 174 craftworks by 21 Korean artisans will go on display at the Triennale Design Museum from April 8-13. The second showcase of Korean craftworks in Milan will feature diverse pieces ranging from metalware, lacquerware inlaid with mother of pearl, ceramics, fabric works and mulberry paper. Under the theme “Constancy and Change,” the Korean exhibition will focus on the natural beau

April 1, 2014

A garden of garments: Fashion’s a fabulous flower show this spring

PHILADELPHIA ― Designers pulled a bunch of pretty, petaled patterns from their graphic arsenals this spring, planting them generously all over sheaths and trousers, jumpsuits and shorts.The idea, of course, was to get women so excited about the sweet peony prints that they would start shopping well before the first crocuses of spring. The last time flowers were this fashionable was the early ’90s ― so most of our closets had nary a bud. And coincidentally, it also helped that we needed a boost a

April 1, 2014

Hallyu buoys Korean fashion

Hundreds of Chinese fans were in a frenzy at the opening of Seoul Fashion Week last Friday, when K-pop boy group EXO took the catwalk presenting the creations of young Korean designers. The popularity of K-pop has put a spotlight on the Korean fashion industry event, launched in 2000, and designers as well. Now, Seoul Fashion Week is one of the most anticipated fashion shows in Asia.“K-pop and Korean TV dramas play an important role in attracting attention to Korean fashion,” said Griffin Chan,

March 27, 2014

Menswear designers on quest to establish brand identity

A week of fashion showcases for the 2014 fall and winter season began with menswear collections on Friday and Saturday at Seoul Fashion Week. This year, designers and crowds of fashionistas gathered at the newly opened futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Park. Menswear designers mixed fashion with art, attempting to find better fabric and colors to represent their identities. Designer Kimseoryong of the eponymous brand based his collection upon his journey to define the identity for his colle

March 23, 2014

Dongdaemun Design Plaza makes debut

The long-anticipated Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Park opens Friday with showcases of modern design works and a rare collection of traditional Korean art. To celebrate the opening, the DDP is holding five design and art exhibitions featuring works by high-profile modern designers, including the architect of the building, Zaha Hadid, as well as the prized collection of traditional Korean art of the Kansong Art Museum.“The exhibitions explore the role of design today. It’s the most important discus

March 20, 2014

Spring fashion: crop tops, high waists, wide legs

NEW YORK (AP) ― It’s still chilly in much of the U.S., but stores are clearing out coats and sweaters to make way for spring’s bright colors and lighter clothing. And if you’re looking to update your wardrobe this season, you’ll need to know about a few key trends: crop tops, high waists and wider pant legs.But don’t panic just yet about the idea of wearing a top that may not reach your navel. There are several ways to pull off the potentially midriff-baring trend ― whether or not you have great

March 16, 2014

Dokdo-themed miniature garden to go on exhibit worldwide

A miniature garden themed around Korea’s easternmost islet of Dokdo will go on a global exhibition tour after being showcased in London last week.The downscaled garden created by Korean designer Hwang Ji-hae features imitations of plants that grow naturally only on Dokdo and its nearest island of Ulleungdo in the East Sea. The artwork of indigenous Korean flora was presented to emphasize Korean sovereignty over the islet, which Japan also claims as Takeshima, according to the designer.  Entitled

March 10, 2014

Lupita Nyong’o and Jared Leto rock Prada’s show

PARIS (AP) ― Upstaging a Louis Vuitton show is hard, but somehow Miuccia Prada managed it, thanks to Lupita Nyong’o and Jared Leto. The Oscar winning pair ― whose exact relationship is the subject of speculation ― were both invited by the Italian designer to attend her plastic-wrapped fall-winter Miu Miu show in Paris.And if that wasn’t enough attention-grabbing, Nyong’o had to move seats in order to fit a tardy Rihanna in a fur leather jacket in the Miu Miu front row. Meanwhile, former Balencia

March 6, 2014

Rihanna stands out at McCartney Paris show; Menkes quits Tribune

PARIS (AP) ― High fashion equals high drama, the latest installment of Paris Fashion Week proved Monday. A hooded Rihanna tried her best to pass unnoticed at the Stella McCartney show but caused yet more mayhem. Meanwhile, the world’s most influential fashion critic, Suzy Menkes, announced she’s ditching newspapers after a quarter of a century, though she denied there’s an end in sight for the print industry. Elsewhere, Swinging ’60s icon Marianne Faithfull lambasted a reporter after getting squ

March 5, 2014

Gaultier takes Rihanna into space

PARIS (AP) ― The host of an eccentric Jean Paul Gaultier show promised guests a trip into outer space with catwalk attendee Rihanna at Paris Fashion Week. Though guests’ hopes were eventually dashed when the superstar left on foot through the emergency exit, this was surely the highlight of Saturday’s ready-to-wear shows. But Vivienne Westwood, who hosted hers in an incense-filled church, and showed exposed breasts while branding the altar with a dazzling “W,” came a close second.Here are detail

March 2, 2014

[Weekender] Eco-goods carve out niche

In line with global efforts to curb their ecological footprints, a growing number of businesses at home and overseas have been introducing products designed to last longer and reduce waste. Some toothbrushes naturally break down on their own, while a rocking chair powers a smartphone or lamp. Used coffee grounds, which would otherwise go in the trash, are transformed into mushroom compost, mugs and even lamp shades; old banners and car seat belts become stylish yet strong clothes and purses. Wha

Feb. 28, 2014

Jessica Alba’s main street is high fashion

PARIS (AP) ― The first full day of Paris’ frenzied ready-to-wear shows mixed up iconic fashion veterans like Dries Van Noten with a whole new sort of fashion player: H&M. It may be a tricky ride ahead for the main street shop, which is now attempting to walk the snooty high fashion runway. Yet the company, which has still not been allowed on the official Fashion Week calendar, put on a buzzy show-spectacle replete with strobe lights, plasma screens and Jessica Alba which may go some way in shutt

Feb. 27, 2014

Sicilian fairy tale, nomadic spirit infuse Milan Fashion Week

MILAN (AP) ― Hilary Swank, Eva Herzigova and Monica Bellucci gave Milan Fashion Week a burst of star power on Sunday, the fifth day of Milan Fashion Week, which featured womenswear previews for next fall and winter by Dolce&Gabbana, Missoni, Marni and Ferragamo. And one young designer found his pot of gold.Enchanted Sicily Romance flourishes in Dolce&Gabbana’s Sicilian fairy tale, inhabited, according to the designers’ fanciful notes, by elves, fireflies, fairies and knights. Never has little Re

Feb. 24, 2014

Femme fatale Nikita inspires Emporio Armani looks

MILAN (AP) ― Giorgio Armani sees the irony. The female models ― all belonging to the target audience for his younger line Emporio Armani ― arrive in leather leggings and he fits them in wide-legged trousers that evoke ankle-length skirts.The 79-year-old designer is not bothered in the least by “this divergence” at his fall/winter womenswear preview Friday on the third day of Milan Fashion Week. Armani said his wide pants recall a long skirt, which younger women today don’t want “because it is pa

Feb. 23, 2014

Korean lovers say it with matching socks

In a country where public displays of affection are still frowned on, young South Korean couples often advertise their relationship by wearing matching outfits, whether socks, shirts, jackets or, more privately, underwear.It’s especially popular with newlyweds, making South Koreans honeymooning on the beaches of Southeast Asia easy to spot in their twinned T-shirts or shorts, complete with “couple flip-flops.” The fashion can also be seen among young people in China and Japan, but South Koreans

Feb. 19, 2014