5 Things to Do in Seoul If You've Done It All

When you visit a country for the fourth time, especially if you've lived there for a period of time, it's hard not to fall into old habits – staying in with friends and ordering takeout, going to you usual haunts, or just running all your errands (and by errands, I mean shopping to restock on makeup and skincare). 

Seoul Fashion Week S/S 2017 - Backstage Moments with Gayeon Lee

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show does not show how hectic backstage is at a fashion show is. I mean it does, but it's a whole 'nother beast in person.

Seoul Fashion Week S/S 2017 - Ti:baeg

Can a dress be anymore perfect? 

Ti:baeg impressed at Seoul Fashion Week with it's feminine style, inspired streetwear, and traditional inspirations. I might need to make a trip to Doota for their upcoming spring collection - because this dress is the definition of perfection.

Winged for Seoul Fashion Week

Photos by Kat Son and Byeonggi Jo 

It's now a life goal to work and live in a city with some sort of fashion week. Once again, I attended Seoul Fashion Week (well, more like Seoul Fashion Day given that I could only attend on Saturday). I saw the R. Shemiste show (super grungy, but still appealing to my need for feminine clothing) in the morning, then spent the rest of the day being mobbed by photographers. Last year I wore some very basic outfits and while I was photographed, it didn't happen too often. This year I opted for a beautiful backless shirt that I'll never be able to wear in Korea again. The statement piece got a lot of attention – a group of girls just wanted a picture of me (from the front), and when I turned around (because let's be honest the front of this outfit is boring, and trying to pin it into a crop top was a failed attempt) there were a lot of squeals of surprise and praise. To show this much upper body skin is still uncommon for Korea (even in Seoul!), so anything with thin shoulder straps (let alone my beloved off the shoulder pieces) is a no go. Not that that will stop me, but it is something I consider when go out on the weekends, whether it's to metropolitan and slightly more liberal Seoul, or my more conservative countryside town. I've literally had ajummas come up to me on the street to adjust a wayward shoulder strap so that it once again covers my bra strap. So kind, but so annoying. But back to fashion week... 

I couldn't walk more than 50 feet without being stopped for photos! It was ridiculous, and I don't know how the more popular bloggers and models get anywhere! People weren't just stopping me to take photos of my outfit, but they wanted selfies, pictures of me posing with their kids, group photos of me and them. It was something else! A Korean friend was there with me, and he translated some of the things people were saying as I was being photographed by the Dingo photo wall. Apparently people thought I was a model and had supposedly seen me in a magazine before. Mostly they were just asking their friends if I was famous since I was being photographed so much. Little do they know. Posing was also super hard! Normally I just laugh and joke around with my friends when they take blog pictures, but there were so many photographers that I didn't know where to look, and I had no idea how to pose (and posing is really, really hard when you've been walking around in heels and posing from 10:30-4:30, as is trying to smile naturally). Totally a fish out of water. Simpson Kim also took a few photos of me, so be sure to check out his blog if you want to see a few more photos of my gorgeous back.

I was super happy to visit and catch up with my friends though. I don't get to see them often enough since they all work in different towns (ok, except Subomi and Byeonggi, I see them every few days since they live in Gongju with me). 

Top: H&M (similar here)
Pants: Asos
Shoes: Windsor Smith
Purse: Botkier (similar here)

R. Shemiste Runway Review - Seoul Fashion Week F/W2016

This fall runway season was all about the 90's, and R. Shemiste made sure to include that theme in their signature grungy aesthetic. 

Known for it's oversized sweatshirts and sukajans, R. Shemiste included wide-legged denim, bohemian silhouettes and some amazing colours in their fall collection to bring a cohesive collection onto the runway. The show was inspired by 19th century anarchist, Emma Goldman, a perfect muse for the show's distressed and layered looks. While I'm not a big fan of grunge (I'll leave the plaid at home, thanks), I loved the amount of layering going on at R. Shemiste. My favourite look? A distressed slip camisole over a ruched sleeve blouse. A trendy wrap skirt gave the illusion of a jacket or shirt layered and wrapped around the waist to add to the illusion of multiple layers. The idea of layering a loose camisole over a shirt has been very popular in Korea this winter – I've seen oversized, v-neck camis everywhere – and while most have been in suede (last seasons textile of choice), I have a feeling R. Shemiste's take on the trend will be making it's way to storefronts soon.

Why won't I be in Korea by the time this jacket comes out?!

Seoul Fashion Week Runway Review – Andy & Debb

Designers Kim Seok Won and Yoon Won Jung designed an entire collection around golfwear. Golf. Seriously. And it worked. I liked it (I hate sports, and sportswear so this is a plus one in my books). 

The collection started with classic golfwear with bold geometric prints and bright, sparkling collars. A multitude of textiles modernized the theme and prevented any boredom. Matte sequins, flowing chiffon, mesh, and leather, all provided an eyeful of stunning detail. Halfway through black mesh circle skirts and sweater dresses with metallic prints created a smooth transition into sports inspired 20's loungewear. Drop waist hems, art deco prints, and flowing robes with wide legged pants would please any aspiring Jordan Baker.

Golfing made chic.

Seoul Fashion Week Runway Review – J Koo

Sports, lace, water colour prints. That's what J Koo was all about this season. Lace, frills and pleating were strategically placed to give a feminine, almost lingerie feel to otherwise sporty looks. Paired with oversized anoraks, soft jersey dresses and jumpsuits, the bustier details created a perfect balance between separate pieces as well a coherence amongst the rest of the collection.

Seoul Fashion Week Runway Review – Ultimo SS16

Designer Kim Dong Soon of Ultimo proves fashion is all about the details.

The show started off with gorgeous feathered masks among sheer black tops with gorgeous beadwork, and ended with romantic sheer dresses and flowing chiffon skirts with soft floral prints (which could easily be layered over those gorgeous black tops from before). But not everything had such a romantic vibe. Ultimo quickly switched to summer themes reminiscent of a vacation to the white sand beaches of Cuba. Flowing ponchos, over-sized, western belts paired with pepper necklaces and bohemian tasseled blouses were all seen before Ultimo once again moved on to retro inspired work wear. Polka dots, swing coats and red leather detailing made this a memorable part of show, until once again, black and white romantic ensembles came out.

While every look was gorgeous on it's own, the collection felt more like two or three different collections stitched together. A few more transitional looks would have made the show amazing.

Seoul Fashion Week Runway Review – ROMANCHIC SS16

ROMANCHIC... It almost sounds like "romantic" doesn't it? And let me tell you, the ROMANCHIC show was definitely romantic. All white monotone looks mixed with cotton candy pastels and bold coloured florals against a simple backdrop of black. Basically... all my favourite trends at the moment in one show. In other words, I loved it. 

Despite the amount of ruffles, over-sized pearls, and and ribbon details, most of the looks managed to maintain an air of feminine minimalism. Long flowing pants and perfectly tailored (yet relaxed) crop tops or ruffled tunics were reminiscent of the cotton candy designer Choi Hye Jung loved as a child. While the collection and clothes themselves hit both notes of romantic and chic, the accessories were almost distracting and left something to be desired. 

Blue and pink ribboned sweater with kimono sleeves? Yes please. Giant beads and ruffled shoes? No thanks.