What's new at 2027 spring-summer Seoul Fashion Week?

Seoul Fashion Week’s 2027 spring-summer edition kicks off Tuesday, marking a shift in how the city's largest fashion event is presented. For the first time, the event will be split between two iconic locations, Dongdaemun Design Plaza and the World Park at Lotte World Tower in Jamsil. Over the course of six days, the event will feature runway shows and presentations from 31 brands, alongside participation from approximately 100 companies in the accompanying trade show. Organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the event aims to showcase both established and emerging Korean designers while integrating technology and consumer engagement. The DDP venue will host 17 designer runways and eight presentations, drawing a mix of seasoned and up-and-coming names. Among the participating brands is Rerhee, which opens the DDP schedule. The label, founded by designers Rhee June-bok and Joo Hyun-jung, previously showcased collections at Paris Fashion Week for three consecutive years through 2026. This season’s collection centers on “the value of what remains,” incorporating restrained tailoring and meticulous detailing. Other DDP participants include Caruso, Lie, Doucan, HolyNumber7, Ulkin, Hanna Shin and Mmam, representing a broad spectrum of Korean design talent across different generations. Meanwhile, the Lotte World Tower in Jamsil will host its own set of runway events, organized in collaboration with Lotte Department Store. A notable highlight is the opening of the weekend runway by Kimhekim, the brand’s first appearance at a Korean fashion week. Designer Kim In-tae launched the label’s international presence at Paris Fashion Week in 2019, and the 10th-anniversary collection, titled “Seoul Light,” revisits the brand’s archival pieces. The show also features a partnership with Adidas, which supports both the collection and the runway production. The Stan Smith sneaker, a signature model for the brand, appears in fresh styling as part of the collection. On Saturday, the Jamsil runway will see contemporary labels taking center stage. Dunst, which now collaborates with about 100 buyers across 30 countries, presents a solo show. This is followed by a joint runway from General Idea, EBM and Mahagrid. These shows incorporate live shopping elements, with pieces on the runway tagged with QR codes and direct links to Lotte Department Store’s online platform. Viewers can purchase items immediately after seeing them on the runway, bridging the gap between fashion and e-commerce. Beyond the runways, programming includes collaborations with K-pop and lifestyle sectors. At Jamsil, the K-pop boy group NCT celebrates its 10th debut anniversary with a curated runway on the final day. The event also features an exhibition of stage costumes from Friday to September 6, along with a flea market offering around 3,000 items of stage wear. Proceeds from the sale will support initiatives focused on women, youth and cultural programs. Adidas operates a separate pop-up space showcasing the Stan Smith Seoul Edition, styled in collaboration with Kimhekim. At DDP, 18 brands participate in a K-lifestyle street pairing initiative, combining fashion with food, beauty and wellness offerings. The trade show runs from Wednesday to Friday, attracting buyers from major retailers such as Printemps, Samaritaine, United Arrows, Club21 and HBX. This format underscores the growing integration of fashion with broader lifestyle trends, reflecting the evolving landscape of the global fashion industry.