On February 8th, I had the pleasure of attending the Lee Jean Youn fashion show. Upon entering, my curiosity was immediately piqued by the layout of the catwalk; which could only dare to prepare me for what’s to come. This show could have been a drawn out disaster or a sublime masterpiece. I must say the effort was clearly present and the result was simply extraordinary! The set-up of the show was unconventional from the beginning. I was excited as soon as I took my seat and waited for the models to take to the catwalk. His collection challenges the norm of haute couture, with his intricate designs influenced heavily by traditional Korean Culture. Both the show, and fashion was a poetic love letter to Asian high fashion. His seductive mix of leathers , fur, fabrics, textiles coupled with his ingenuity, blissfully marries to create a fresh take on what is sometimes blindly called” fall fashion”.
Youn’s impeccable color choices set the tone for a presentation that could only deliver perfection. I loved everything from the tufted leopard skirts and bras made from purse straps, to the deliberate saunter of the models versus the typical aggressive pace on the catwalk. It’s hard to have one’s attention drawn away from the stunning apparel, but I would be remissed as a connoisseur of fashion if I didn’t mention how beautifully the bags and hats where executed. The details and paneling on each of the bags from Lee Jean Youn, solidifies his reputation as a highly revered milliner. His talent for creating art in the form of accessories beamed during the production. The feathers that adorned some of Lee Jean Youn’s hats tastefully added flair while knitted sun hats were deliciously exaggerated and fun. The slick pairings of accessories and pieces for the models have to be commended for aesthetically crafting a story that encourages boundaries to be tried and pushed.
On a personal note, Team Kitty Bradshaw has been following Mr. Youn since 201o when he debuted during fashion week with Concept Korea. He definitely made an impression on us then, and it has been such a pleasure to watch the evolution of Lee Jean Youn. For those of us paying close attention, it is quite evident that Youn is a greater talent than Christian Siriano. It is only a matter of time before the rest of the world knows.
Congratulations Lee Jean Youn on a successful collection.
