Legendary fashion designer Vivienne Westwood passed away December 29th. Known for bringing punk elegance to high fashion Westwood never followed trends, instead setting them with avant-garde pieces and silhouettes. A TRUE ORIGINAL in the fashion world.
Korea has emerged as a creative power on the modern scene. From global television series to pop music acts taking the world by storm, Korean culture is on the march, fashion included.
Beyond Closet’s founder and creative head Ko Tae-yong grabbed my attention from his 2017 Colette collaboration. His classic preppy influenced looks move from minimal to enriched looks. Founded in 2008, Beyond Closet has become a force in the Seoul Fashion scene with its use of colors, prints and graphics.
The Black and Paper interview with fashion designer Ko Tae-yong.
Ko Tae-yong at Seoul Fashion Week
As a menswear designer, how would you define the modern masculine style?
It has become a world that is less official and has less restrictions than in the past. Modern men are even showing the tendency they are not really limited by the traditional gender stereotype like “skirts are for only women.” They are sensitive to trends, but they also have a tendency to keep their own style as they did from the past.
How did you become influenced by the “preppy look?”
Most middle and high schools in Korea’s wear school uniforms. As I experienced the school uniform culture, I became interested in uniform in other countries and it developed my interest in Western culture. The fact that things inspired by the school uniform culture could be applied in broader real life. It can create a timeless new culture when combined with classic pieces. That is what attracted me a lot.
The latest collection moved to casual sophistication, do you think men want to be more dressed up but without a tie?
Even if the formula for men’s clothing changes over time, I think men believe classical and formal clothing will last forever. It is part of the charm of menswear. So, I mix up things from the past into new things.
Please walk us through look 11 and 13 from the Spring Collection.
In Look #11, the military-patterned outerwear was reconstructed with light knit material and styled with linen pants of irregular stripes. I talked about a lighter, lyrical and vintage military.
The 13th look is attractive with romantic moods composed of vintage things. Python boots are a heterogeneous element in them, but they are objects that show novelty by adding points.
You paint on pieces, is this part of your design technique?
They are Contemporary Art Inspiration and Handmade Elements that inspire me deeply.
Are there any plans on selling your brand in the United States or Europe?
Beyond Closet and I loved America and Europe. We also held fashion shows and communicated with them through pop-up stores and various projects. It is always welcome to showcase our brand if there is a good opportunity.
The first time we decided to dedicate a Before Tacky Podcast discussing a designer. Giorgio Armani is know ordinary designer. A talent who set the standard in the field. If Italian Fashion has a face, it is Armani.
The Big Fashion Week Season closed. My quick first impressions are optimism, moving forward form the past years. As the world moves from uncertainty to uncertainty fashion labels turned vivacious for Spring 2023. As usual the start of the calendar kicked off in New York before moving to London, Milan and finally Paris. Instead of absorbing headlines, runway shows were delightful.
The movement towards streetwear slowed, creative directors stayed in their lanes this season, not retrenching, but more of a comfort zone design philosophy.
I had some favorites of course. Lanvin’s Bruno Sialelli gave a tasteful yet compelling harmonization to the French house.
In Milan, the old line brand Bally decided on a rebirth. Rhuigi Villaseñor, known for his streetwear label Rhude, gave the Swiss clothing maker a shot in the arm with a mixture of adventure and classic pieces.
Stay tuned for Before Tacky podcast on fashion interviews, news and reviews.
Check out the interview with the Miss Sohee. The fashion designer behind statement looks influenced by her homeland.
From Milan Fashion Week, Nigerian Fashion Designer Papa Oyeymi gave a quick interview about his fashion collection.
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Milan Fashion Week Men happened under the Omicron wave sweeping across Europe. Designers in the Italian city showed looks saying ” The Future is Now.” The collections were designed for going out in the world, expressive, showing off.
Based on what I saw, it would be hard to believe Italy was experiencing a forth wave. From the strange to the colorful to the classic, all the collections showed a mood of overcoming the present crisis. Welcome back to La Dolce Vita!
Stay Tuned for the Before Tacky Podcast review of Milan Fashion Week Men.
In the second part of the Before Tacky Podcast, we speak to luxury menswear designer Brett Johnson from Milan about his style influences.
Check out part one of the interview with Brett.
The Before Tacky Podcast reviews Milan Fashion looks. The hosts, Breck, Alex Popov and Lyn Jegher discuss the collections we like and the ones we did not like. Get the runway lowdown below.
From Milan Fashion Week, a Short question for Nigerian Fashion Designer Joy Meribe. Why did she go into the fashion business.
