The Wooyoungmi Fall-Winter 2024 collection, directed by Madame Woo, is an ode to Seoul, reflecting the city’s fusion of South Korean and European fashion sensibilities. Drawing inspiration from both local and foreign perceptions of Seoul, the collection paints a vivid portrait of the city’s diverse characters. It reflects on the Seoul’s professional, bourgeois, and youthful segments through a range of styles, from elongated coats and relaxed suits in traditional menswear fabrics for businessmen to bouclé skirt-suits, blouses, and hats for the refined bourgeois lady. The collection also captures the city’s vibrant youth through preppy gear, sportswear, and the utilitarian uniforms of road workers, blended with the styles of Seoul’s youth culture.
Artistic elements are central to the collection, with traditional Korean influences such as bojagi, the art of tying knots, creatively applied to modern garments like hoodies, shirts, and caps. This fusion of tradition and contemporary fashion is further exemplified through surface decorations featuring South Korean family crests, adding a layer of heritage and identity. The collection’s accessories, including worn-in leather bags and aged loafers, classic runners, and Mary-Janes. The color palette, dominated by greys, natural navy, dark green, and brown, echoes the urban and natural colors of Seoul, while bright accents from a chaotic city print and glitter on sportswear and denim add vibrancy.
Incorporating a spiritual dimension, the collection features Buddhist-inspired jewelry, with hardware and pieces shaped like ears to symbolize wisdom and compassion. This aligns with Madame Woo’s emphasis on the ability to absorb the sounds of the city, connecting the collection to the broader philosophical context. The accompanying soundtrack, a soulful blend of jazz and traditional South Korean gugak drums, further enriches the collection.
