Korean designers have delivered vibrant appeals for Korean fashion with elegant tailoring, twists to classic looks and various mix-matched styles.

Four designers showcased fall and winter collections for 2014 at Concept Korea on Tuesday, a show held for the ninth year to promote Korea’s design talent at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. The major fashion event is being held from Feb. 6-13 at various venues throughout the city.

The Concept Korea show for fall-winter 2014 collections was held under the theme “Aspire to Inspire,” in which designers created appealing yet unified fashion items representing the beauty of Korea on a musical-inspired fashion catwalk. 

Participating designers included Lee Suk-tae of KAAL E.SUKTAE, Choi Bo-ko of CHOIBOKO, Ko Tae-yong of Beyond Closet and Park Youn-soo of Big Park.

Three other designers participating in the Concept Korea showcase ― Kye Han-hee of KYE, Kim Seo-ryong of kimseoryong and Kim Hong-beom of CRES. E DIM ― held presentations for their F/W collections.

Menswear designers received much attention from fashion buyers and experts for their distinct characteristics.

Ko Tae-yong presented a reinterpretation of the classic military look, drawing inspiration from his time in the army. He took a relaxed yet playful approach to the collection, featuring camouflage and graffiti.

“I tried to show the rebellious, playful image of a man free from rigid rules while keeping the boyish charm,” said Ko.

Choi Bum-suk held a separate show at Pier 59 studio last week during Fashion Week, presenting monotonous, structural looks inspired by modern architecture in New York. His 11th collection in New York took a more serious, solemn approach to his signature casual streetwear. Layers of wool, soft cotton and leather in hues of black, grey and navy intensified the mood of the cold, urban look, attracting attention from buyers and the press at the show.

“I am glad that the distinct modern streetwear of General Idea has received a good response in New York,” said Choi.

Lee Suk-tae of womenswear brand KAAL E.SUKTAE took a modern approach to grunge with oversized and structural silhouettes, channeling the angst-ridden teen spirit of the 1990s. The designer redefined grunge with layers of leather, wool, sateen and velvet in black, grey and ivory splashed with emerald green, ink blue and red.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)