Just recently, Seoul has become one of the new fashionable places to go. There are dozens of Korean models being sent down runways in New York City, Paris, and Milan. Korea's designers definitely lean towards the unique and the styles are hard to find elsewhere in the world. Brands like 99%Is and Kim MeHee are putting Seoul onto the map. The mixture of modernizing traditional clothing and the growing hip-hop and edgy clothing scene strongly influences the Seoul runways.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I have an interest in fashion. Since I was young, I've always enjoyed "making" my own clothes by fashioning blankets into skirts with a series of complicated knots or anything similar. I dreamed of learning to sew and someday hand making couture dresses that would be sent down the runway in New York City, Paris, and Milan. That dream never came true (though it's ever too late to try!), but I've still kept up a bit with the fashion world. It was always on my bucket list to attend a "fashion week" somewhere in the world. I was keen on Paris or London but thought that any of them would be fine. I managed to halfway cross that off my list by attending Seoul's Fashion Week held in March of 2016. (Yes, the fall designs are sent down the runway in March.)
When I say "attending", I don't mean I got to sit in the front row (or even general audience) of a runway show. That part of my bucket list is still up for completion. However, I did head on over to Dongdaemun Plaza, one of Seoul's famous art exhibit galleries. Seoul Fashion Week is generally held here with the runway shows taking place inside. Many of Korea's most attractive people strut around outside the Plaza either in hopes of to be spotted by a casting agent or to show off their stylish outfits and (perfectly practiced) model poses. Tourists go to spot popular Korean models and take pictures of the event and to possibly catch a glimpse of any celebrities attending the runway shows and hitting up the red carpet that leads into the building.
