January 27, 2025 |
Wooyoungmi’s AW25 collection was an ode to elegance with a distinctly modern spin. In many ways, it was a meditation on how dressing can reflect both inner and outer refinement. Set in the grand salons of the Hôtel de Maisons, the show unfolded like a quiet manifesto – rooted in the Korean philosophy of ch’ŏrhak, which centres on self-cultivation and the art of carrying oneself with dignity.
The collection played with the codes of “proper dressing,” but in a way where elegance refracted through a contemporary lens. That meant razor-sharp dinner suits, the foundation of classical grace, blossomed with romantic tonal florals that softened their precision. Outerwear, on the other hand, stole the spotlight: trench coats, Crombie coats, and parkas became structures of empowerment, rendered in heritage fabrics elevated by unexpected pops of shearling in jewel tones.
Workwear-meets-tailoring added utility to the overwhelming refinement of the collection, with cargo-pocket details and padded knitwear translating extreme sportswear into silhouettes that felt both commanding and approachable. Meanwhile, minhwa – traditional Korean folk art – offered a moment of calm amidst the chaos, its deconstructed landscapes appearing as prints on puffers and accessories.
Accessories tied the vision together: think Chelsea boots harnessed in tonal leather, knit scarves nodding to tuxedo traditions and mittens dangling with an almost childlike charm. The message was clear: elegance, redefined, is the way forward.
Photography by Christina Fragkou.
