Munsoo Kwon Fall 2016 – Seoul Fashion Week 서울 패션 위크

For some, the 1990’s were the peak of grunge and emo. For Korean fashion designer Munsoo Kwon, his Fall 2016 collection was an opportunity to “REMIND REWIND” with an all-out dance party reminiscing over the start of the K-pop phenomenon. (Interestingly, that inspiration was a mere visual reference to the fashion and the show. The actual runway soundtrack included songs by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force, Redlight and Charlie Puth instead of ‘90s K-pop bands like pioneering hip-hop and reggae group Roo’ra, a stated influence for this season.)

White balloons dotted the seating space, while the backdrop featured a screaming, cheering mob of young adults waving even more balloons – this time in hot pink. These were not just a celebratory cue; K-pop idol groups actually have official balloon colors connected to their fan clubs.

The cheering section, which screamed throughout the entire duration of the Munsoo Kwon Fall 2016 show, greeted a model about to exit the runway. (photo by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Sure, the dapper clothes sideswiped gimmicks, but the reason for this is because they go back to a time when K-pop fashion was simpler and based on solid colors. Kwon went for a variety of shades, including gray, navy blue, pink, fuchsia and off-white. He also wanted to combine elements popular at that time, such as angled shoulders and oversized silhouettes, into more styles more typically worn today. It all manages to work: business suits take on a retro-modern vibe, and streetwear successfully pays homage to this loose-fitting clothing without drowning out the wearer in piles of fabric, as has been seen in a number of shows this Seoul Fashion Week.

An outfit from the Munsoon Kwon Fall 2016 show in Seoul (photo by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Credits:
Make up: HERA
Hair: AMOS
Shoes: UNDERGROUND, NIKE
Sunglasses: ALO x MUNSOO KWON
Accessories: QUANTEZ

Photos: Munsoo Kwon Fall 2016 – Seoul Fashion Week
all photos by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine

Rapper Kisum (left), and BTOB K-pop group members Lim Hyunsik (second from left) and Yook Sungjae (center) at the Munsoo Kwon Fall 2016 show. (photo by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine)