story / V Vernard
photos / Spencer Kohn
Concept Korea, known as a powerhouse-global project that publicizes Koreas burgeoning fashion culture throughout the industry, celebrated it’s twelfth season with the conglomerate known as the KOCCA (Korea Creative Content Agency) and the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Together they allowed two of their most illustrious menswear designers to showcase what I believe will be seen as brands to watch for seasons to come.
First to show- with an epic digital and audio backdrop was the brand DBYD. DBYD is a diffusion line of D.GNAK by Designer Kang Dong Jun. His concept for the collection- entitled Loner, was streetwear with heavy homage to urban culture. Most of the collection had an easy-going appeal with embellishment here and there.
I loved ALL of the pieces. From the first piece which was a modern take on the raincoat with a kimono styled belt that could either be fastened or left to dangle with the brands logo for all to see and lust over. One after the other, the standouts continued from this collection- from the gold summer sweatshirt with loner across the chest to the season floral track suit. I wanted it all.
Not to be outdone, the finale collection was Ordinary People by Jang Hyeong Cheol. I simply loved this collection’s ability to wardrobe the busy multifaceted world we live in. The collection literally had pieces that went from the baseball field to the boardroom to the bedroom without changing.
I thoroughly enjoyed the golden crested sweatshirts and the high waisted cummerbund wide legged trousers, which stood just as strong as the gold embellished baseball jackets and pinstripe short suits, tailored jerseys, and array of boucle shown on allot from moto style jackets to sports jackets.
The designer says that while he is staying focused on promoting the brand, he’s very much looking forward to September when he will be showcasing the winter collection. When asked what was next for such an accomplished visual label, the designer stated that we should look forward to a unisex collection. I think there will already be plenty of girls wanting this collection so I can only imagine the depths of this designers dope to come.
