Seoul Fashion Week, celebrating its 25th anniversary, is set to kick off on February 5, 2025, at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) with the aim of showcasing the season's upcoming fall and winter trends.
This grand event is expected to draw significant attention, featuring renowned designers such as Ink, Youser, and Ajobyajo, along with innovative presentations. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has outlined five key highlights for this year’s festivities, which include not only this diverse designer lineup but also the Seoul Fashion Forum, several public events, and trade shows aimed at fostering international collaboration.
The session will be led by notable figures, with fashion technologist Hannah Shin at the helm of opening the event. Meanwhile, globally recognized brands such as Caruso, Big Park, and Sling Stone will present off-site shows outside the DDP Art Hall. This year's Fashion Week introduces exciting new presentation formats to replace traditional lookbooks, elevatively combining music, lighting, and art exhibitions.
The Seoul Fashion Forum, organized for the opening day at DDP Art Hall, will congregate industry executives, designers, and media professionals alike. Global journalist and fashion authority James Fallon has been announced as the keynote speaker. This forum is a great opportunity to explore industry trends and build connections as it aims to facilitate discussions about the future direction of fashion.
This year's Fashion Week is not just about local designers but also about global outreach, welcoming 103 international buyers from 25 countries, including prominent retail representatives from France’s La Samaritaine and Kuwait’s Harvey Nichols. The city aims to secure 8.1 billion won (approximately $6.5 million) in purchase orders, exceeding the prior season’s 7.7 billion won for Spring/Summer.
For those wishing to participate, the trade show—open through pre-registration until February 3—offers fashion enthusiasts and small brands the chance to expand their distribution channels. A showroom tour will be arranged for registered buyers, providing exclusive access to promising brands from Korea and beyond.
Highlighting the collaborative spirit of the event, February 9 will welcome Japanese street brands for a united presentation, emphasizing the blending of cultural inspirations within the fashion world. The Korea Creative Content Agency will also play a role by coordinating specific presentations during the week.
Fashion lovers can also join the experience, as limited public tickets are up for grabs. Only 350 tickets will be distributed, with availability limited for each runway show, encouraging excitement and spontaneity at the event.
Adding entertainment to the schedule, daily break-dancing performances will complement the runway shows as spectators enjoy this vibrant display of creativity. To reach even wider audiences, all runway shows will be livestreamed on Seoul Fashion Week’s official YouTube channel, merging the tactile experience of live fashion with the accessibility of online platforms.
Beyond the buzz of Seoul Fashion Week, there is much anticipation for the upcoming Spring/Summer 2025 trends, as many highlights are already gaining traction internationally. Noteworthy predictions include the enduring influence of lingerie pieces, mini shorts, and the strong comeback of the iconic men’s suit.
Lingerie has significantly evolved over the past few seasons, positioning itself as a necessity rather than mere undergarments. Designers like Balenciaga explore trompe-l’œil slips, with brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Mugler presenting modern interpretations of vintage corsets.
Mini shorts paired with matching tops are anticipated to dominate summer wardrobes, drawing inspiration from classic styles. Miu Miu and Gucci are among those leading the way with inventive silhouettes and fresh fabrics.
The men’s suit is being rediscovered with renewed vigor, marking it as the quintessential piece to own as it adorns runways and redefines workplace attire for both genders. This versatility is particularly echoed by collections from brands like Dior and Max Mara.
On the workwear front, suits are set to undergo transformations to become lighter and more feminine, as showcased by prominent designers. Simultaneously, baggy trousers and black skinny pants are resurging as essentials for this style season, rejuvenated through nostalgia for early-2000s styles.
Perhaps one of the most buoyant revivals is the indie sleaze aesthetic. Rooted strongly within the fashion of figures like Kate Moss and Sienna Miller, indie sleaze dresses are expected to make their mark with playful cuts and romantic details coming back to the forefront.
Innovative pant designs, shifting cuts, and even the re-emergence of the parka as a summer staple are all drawing attention as the challenges of traditional fashion norms are met with artistic reinterpretation. Major designers will continue to intertwine fashion with art, bringing forth collections inspired by painters and cultural motifs.
Overall, the blend of local fervor at Seoul Fashion Week, buoyed by broader Spring/Summer 2025 trends, signifies not just the creativity of the industry but the city's dedication to solidifying its spot on the global fashion stage, drawing on both historical motifs and current dynamics to inspire the future of fashion.