With this edit, you’ll find some affordable labels that are popular with your favourite Korean celebrities, and fit well into your workwear wardrobe. Whether your style is girly, elegant or androgynous, there’s a wide array of options from these cool brands and young designers that you’re bound to fall in love with.
Building upon her previous experiences at Kiko Kostadinov and creative collective Dadaism Club, emerging designer Ji Hyung Choi creates contemporary streetwear that plays on unexpected details, underscoring her technical sensibilities.
In 2014, lifelong friends Dami Kwon (G-Dragon’s sister) and Jessica Jung founded Rare Market, a concept store that unearths under the radar Korean labels and cult overseas gems. The duo went on to launch WE11DONE (pronounced “welldone”), known for its distinct and elevated pieces that weave references from the aughts, reimagined for today. Expect cool-girl styles in inventive silhouettes that convey an understated sophistication.
The concept of Beyond Closet is true to its brand name – to offer a selection of pieces that extends beyond just clothes that hang in the wardrobe. This varsity inspired label celebrates individuality and style, offering trendy pieces that is a mix of high school preppiness and funky streetwear. From check shirts to graphic knits and sweaters, Beyond Closet is all about creating comfortable and easy styling pieces.
If bold and grunge chic is your aesthetic, then Charm’s is the place to go. The brand fuels on fun and loud silhouettes and is also best known for it’s urban streetwear style that gained the likes of Kpop royalty. In collaborative measure, Charm’s together with Key from boy band Shinee and Irene Kim came to produce a 90s inspired sportswear capsule that’s absolutely a must to check out.
Launched in 2009 and known for its witty craft, Cres E. Dim excels in deconstructed cuts and overlapping layers. Seemingly contrasting, its sculptural pieces are often tied in with loose hems in addition to unconventional takes on classic pieces such as stilettos with statement patches and deconstructed A-line skirts.
RocketxLunch is the epitome of effortless chic, standing out as one of the brands to not have their logo integrated into the design. The label aims to make it’s name solely base on its style and is undoubtedly doing a fine job at it. Featuring a wide selection of clothing from layered tees to leather jackets, these products are trendy pieces crafted with quirky, irreverent touch that will stay relevant all year round.
This store has its name from the word “wunderkammer”, which translates to a cabinet of curiosity where a notable collection of items is stored. And true to its name, designer Hye Young Shin’s pieces are just that – notable, timeless, and worthy collectables. Her designs seek for basic, simple, and minimalistic style that still leaves an unforgettable impression; rather than fancy and colourful collections. This is something that she terms as ‘mild charisma’.
The designer also draws much of her influence from US-based photographer Ryan McGinley. Even though most of his subjects are naked, she feels that his works represent freedom and naturalism, which are elements that she would like to translate into her designs. So, expect raw pieces in natural hues.
Wnderkammer is available on its website.
The brother-sister duo behind the brand LIE, Chung Chung Lee and Nana Lee, are the children of designer parents of Korean fashion house Lie Sangbong – whose pieces have been worn by A-list celebrities like Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Rihanna.
They were satisfied with working in the fashion industry independently, but as Chung and Nana settled in Seoul and New York respectively, they sensed a growing desire for more affordable luxury among their peers. That sparked a shared vision to create a line that echoed the elegance and sculptural details of their parents’ label, with a more accessible price point and style for the creative modern day woman.
LIE is available at SocietyA, located at #03-14A, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238873.
A London-based womenswear label established by Korean-born designer Hwan Heo, Heohwan Simulation is more than just a fashion line. It’s also the designer’s ongoing project where the theme for each collection stems from his experimental artwork and geopolitical aestheticism. Hwan’s 10-year brand vision since the founding of his label is to showcase his “Critique Collection Project”, where he develops and rebuilds his own fashion statement after studying the fashion history and phenomenon from 1920s to 1990s, as well as observing contemporary fashion.
His latest SS19 collection, which is the fifteenth part of his twenty-part series, is inspired by the exotic appearances and the regional colours of The Romani in the 70s. He resonates with the way they absorbed and spread cultures in their travels, just like how he navigates the mixing of culture and gender. Hence, this collection sees the diverse blending of elements from various cultures.
Heohwan Simulation is available on its website.
The IT girl of the moment, Korean-American Kathleen Hanhee Kye graduated with a masters in menswear from Central Saint Martins in 2011, and set up Kye that same year. “Kye is all about casual wear, fun, a bit rude, it’s unisex, but more focused on women,” Kye has said. The designer who has collaborated with popular brands like Gentle Monster, Adidas and shu uemura, is also friends with Irene Kim, Big Bang and C.L.
Kye is available on its website.
You’ve definitely seen Instagram posts of this brand’s pink pool cafe in the hip Myeongdong district of Seoul. Super-trendy Style Nanda got its start in 2004 as a blogshop and has expanded internationally. It’s known for offering the latest designs at affordable prices.
Stylenanda is available on their website.
If you like urban sportswear, bomber jackets, grunge and layering, you’ll love the aesthetic of South Korean designer Hyein Seo, a graduate of Antwerp’s prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts.
“The soft contemporary brand tibaeg expresses tender emotions through multifarious colorful graphics. The way a tea bag infuses its rich flavors into water, ‘tibaeg’ will release the colors within you.” That’s the philosophy of this brand that wants fashion to bring joy to your life.
Tibaeg is available at SocietyA, located at #03-14A, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238873.
Tell The Truth made its runway debut at this year Seoul Fashion Week. “I started the brand to make pieces one can wear for a long time,” said designer Kim Sung-eun. These elevated basics are a hit with celebrities like Suzy and Kong Hyo jin.
Tell The Truth is available on its website.
SJYP is the brainchild of Korean-born husband and wife duo, Steve Jung and Yoni Pai. The Central Saint Martins alumni put their spin on denim and have effortlessly nailed cool streetwear vibes.
SJYP is available on its website, Net-a-Porter and Farfetch.
The winner of the 2013 H&M Design Award and Semi-Finalist of the LVMH Prize For Young Fashion Designers in 2014, Minju Kim’s collections always feature self-drawn illustrations, whimsical prints and avant-garde silhouettes.
Minjukim is available at SocietyA, located at #03-14A, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238873.
Launched by celebrity designer Kim Jae-hyun, Lucky Chouette is for the modern woman who loves her prints and colours. Whether it’s for work or the weekend, you’ll find versatile separates that you can mix and match.
Lucky Chouette is available on its website.
A traditional garment made modern and wearable. The hanbok is what inspires the designs of Korean fashion designer Leesle Hwang, who launched the brand in 2007.
Leesle is available on its website.
After graduating from Studio Berçot and working at Balenciaga, Kiminte Kimhekim launched his label in 2014. He combines traditional Korean sewing techniques (passed on to him by his grandmother) with methods of French haute couture, to create beautiful and elegant tailored pieces.
Kimhekim is available at SocietyA, located at #03-14A, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238873.
Launched in 2012 when Goen Jong returned home after graduating from Paris’ prestigious Studio Berçot, this eponymous label focuses on wardrobe basics with a modern yet romantic aesthetic with mixed textures and asymmetrical silhouettes.
The South Korean brand is for the woman who marches to her own beat. Worn by international celebrities such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Kourtney Kardashian, the designs are kitsch and guaranteed to make a statement.
Fleamadonna is available on its website.