From Gangnam Style going viral to Michelle Obama tweeting about making kimchi, Korean culture has taken the world by storm. In the world of fashion, in particular, Korea has in recent years come to mean much more than just bubblegum K-Pop style.
Korea has definitely come a long way in the fashion scene, and we think it’s wonderful to celebrate the unique creativity and talent of a country that’s been in the news so much lately for negative issues such as Korean comfort women and North-South Korean tensions.
Here are five Korean fashion brands that are worth watching this year:
Beanpole
Beanpole’s casual clothing and accessories feature clean, modern lines, impeccable tailoring, and muted colors. This affordable brand is brought to us by an affiliate of the Samsung Group.
Gentlemonster
Makers of beautifully crafted eyewear, Gentlemonster frequently collaborates with other brands and designers. Their collections of sunglasses and glasses feature different styles, both vintage and modern.
thisisneverthat
For that “underground” look, you can’t go wrong with thisisneverthat- which is best known for dressing famous Korean rappers in their hoodies and crewneck shirts.
TNGT
TNGT, or The New Generation Trend, features very hip (note: we didn’t say hipster) clothing for men and women. Very popular for their bag designs, which are a great blend of both fashionable and functional.
Lucky Chouette
Positioned as a high-end streetwear brand, Lucky Chouette elevates fun, young fashion full of bold colors and texture.