Lee Jean Youn Fall 2014: Successful contradiction

The resume of Lee Jean Youn (center) includes a collaboration with MANGO and a previous New York Fashion Week showing as part of the South Korean government's Concept Korea collective in 2010. (photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

The resume of Lee Jean Youn (center) includes a collaboration with MANGO and a previous New York Fashion Week showing as part of the Concept Korea collective in 2010. (photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Lee Jean Youn’s chaotic, contradictory Fall 2014 collection flirted with disparate variances at every turn: loudly contrasting pieces, large handbags crammed beneath arms like the morning’s latest newspaper, and torsos bundled in bondage straps and gift basket wrapper-like blouses. However closely Lee toyed with maddening excess, the designer’s talent for construction pulled his outfits back from the precipice. Skirts looked like jackets tied around the waist, but swayed comfortably on the hips. Cheeky peeks of skin flashed out from beneath oversized wool coats.

The collection comprised high accent pieces merrily thrown together with irascible attitude. The piece that best summed up the collection: a fringed, faded denim evening gown, sporting a body-length tiger in punky studs. With a little imagination – and a lot more squinting – the dress might have been dismissed as resembling a dusty vintage curtain. In lesser hands, the dress, and this show, would have been a disaster. Lee’s adherence to his vision made it a rousing success.

Photos: Lee Jean Youn Fall 2014 – New York Fashion Week
all photos by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine