By Kim Tae Won and Sohn JiAe

Young Korean fashion designers are shinning in the Russian media spotlight.

After the Seoul-Moscow 365 Fashion Show in Moscow on Oct. 2, jointly hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in Russia and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, there followed a series of news articles and TV spots giving rave reviews to the newest Korean fashion trends revealed in the show.

The monthly fashion magazine Modniy Magazin published an article titled “Korean Fashion on Russian Runway.” The article pointed out that the fashion show, which has taken place since last year in Seoul, was held in Russia for the first time, stressing that, “The show serves as a new platform where fashionistas from both countries can share their artistic ideas.”

As for the items on the catwalk, the article recognized the fact that, “Korean fashion designs embrace a high level of creativity and keep alive indigenous traditions, which gives us clear insight into Seoul fashion trends.”



Online fashion site SuperStyle, too, covered the fashion show that same day in an article titled “Slava Zaitsev and Three Korean Designers.” The article lauded, in particular, traditional Korean Hanbok attire worn by Russian models on the runway, calling the designs “simple but flamboyant,” and adding that, “They have an eternal beauty.” It also called the fashion designs created by these three Korean designers to be “works of art with Korea’s distinctive refinement and Europe’s practicality.”

The Moscow show, with about 250 attendees, including officials and diplomats from the Russian government, was held as part of the "Autumn Korea Culture Festival,” an annual event hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in Russia.

“Showcasing fashion designs from both countries here in Moscow, a centerpiece of the Korean Wave, or Hallyu (한류), in Europe, is very meaningful,” said Korean Ambassador to Russia Park Ro-byug. “Hopefully, this event will be a chance for Korean fashion designers to expand their business here in Russia.”

. twkim0717@korea.kr