Son Jung Wan, a renowned South Korean fashion designer, has carved a niche in the fashion world. With her designs gracing celebrities from Korea like Kim Shin-rok and Ji Hyun-woo, to Hollywood figures such as Brooke Shields and Keke Palmer, Son’s influence is unmistakable.
Launching her brand in Seoul in 2010, Son’s designs deftly merge traditional Korean elements with contemporary aesthetics. Her repertoire extends from evening and bridal wear to exclusive custom-made pieces for select VIPs, often celebrities.
The recent spring/summer 2024 collection, aptly titled “Harmony”, was showcased at New York Fashion Week. Drawing inspiration from nature, the collection for both men and women dazzled with vibrant colors at Spring Studios. Discussing her collection, Son shared, “I was moved by the beauty of nature and emotions – like the gentle rush of waves. My aim was to capture gentle fragility with powerful silhouettes, embodying true fashion.”
The 42 showcased looks captivated attendees, including notable figures like Kelly Bensimon and dancer Allison Holker. Kicking off with Persian model Sara Arabzadeh in a floral-printed minidress, the collection celebrated textures and forms, featuring gowns adorned with floral patterns, ruffles, and materials like light silk, organza, chiffon, and mesh shirting.
Son emphasized fluidity in this collection, drawing motifs from her travels, particularly to Hawaii and Japan. Influences from Japan’s Mount Fuji are subtly woven into the designs. The dominant color palette embraced lime green, soft blue, bright red, with hints of blush pink aligning with the Barbiecore trend.
Initiating her design process with fondant pink to symbolize wellness and youth, Son incorporated contrasting tones like vivid red and the striking “cyber lime”. The latter, she mentions, is a nod to the merging realms of nature and our digital existence. The textile choices, too, echoed nature’s myriad facets. While light silk depicted nature’s creatures and their dynamism, organza and chiffon mirrored nature’s rhythmic patterns. The use of mesh embodied the ebb and flow of ocean waves.
Signature womenswear pieces include a floral halter dress paired with high-waisted silk pants, and a pink cashmere strapless dress combined with a metallic skirt. A highlight was a shimmering wrap complemented by silver pants, reflecting the ongoing mermaid-core trend.
The menswear line showcased pieces like a floral top paired with silk trousers and a silk lace collared top matched with creamy silk trousers, exuding a relaxed, pyjama-like vibe. A standout was a taupe jacket with silk and organza shorts.
With a presence in 54 stores across Asia, from ready-to-wear collections to specialized lines like golf attire and children’s wear, Son’s empire continues to grow. Yet, her passion remains undiminished. Reflecting on her journey, she affirmed, “Fashion is life to me; it empowers me, giving me confidence in every setting.”
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