Kim captivates Shanghai fashionistas

SHANGHAI - Andre Kim presented his Spring/Summer 2010 collection in China`s financial capital Wednesday, leading a batch of Korean designers who showed the global audience that Korea`s fashion industry has not lost strength in the economic downturn.

Kim presented 146 pieces of his design to kick off "Preview in Shanghai 2009," an annual event organized by the Korean Federation of Textile Industries and sponsored by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. His opening show took place in front of international fashion experts gathered at Shanghai Mart, a trade center in the heart of the city`s business district.

The organizer, aiming to inform international buyers of trends in Korea`s textile and apparel production, invited the celebrity designer for the sixth time this year.

As Korea`s top designer, Kim has been leading efforts since 2003 to help fashion industry players from both Korea and China build a stronger relationship through these trade events, plus his own fashion shows in Beijing, Qingdao and Wuxi.

<**1>

This year`s show, which also marks 90 years since the inauguration of the Provisional Government of Korea in Shanghai, featured as main models Korean singer/actor Kim Jun and Jang Na-ra, an established Hallyu star in China.

"I am extremely pleased and honored to present my fashion art collection for the opening show of `Preview in Shanghai 2009` today. As a designer, I hope to contribute to expanding relations between fashion and textile industries of China and Korea," Kim said.

Spread over five stages, the iconic designer`s 50-minute show featured the usual mixture of mysticism and grandeur. The first stage, entitled "Shanghai Dream Festival" began with female models clad in Chinese-style tops coupled with voluminous same-color bottoms, and ended with male models donning tight black suits with gold embroidery.

With star models strutting down the catwalk wearing figure-hugging jackets or billowy dresses, hundreds of spectators were dazzled by the audacious mixture of colors and styles.

The second "Black Diamond Fantasy" presented a set of daywear with a black-and-white color scheme, followed by brighter tones, such as pink, yellow and emerald, forming a fine contrast with the previous garments.

In the next "Great Romance," Jang walked down the runway in a deep-red dress of beaded bodice and a chiffon skirt. Reaching the designer`s signature climax, Jang and Kim stood with their foreheads touching.

The fourth stage featured full-size overcoats draped around the models` figures with glimpses of form-fitting dresses inside, a reminder of the royal costumes of past Korean dynasties, befitting the title "Legend of Korean Kingdom."

The final stage of "Everlasting Love in Shangrila" was composed of wedding gowns and tuxedos, intended to portray the pure beauty that the designer has pursued during his near-half century career.

The 75-year-old designer appeared on stage and stood with the main models as the performance brought about ripples of applause from the audience.

"It was more exciting to watch the show here than on TV. It helped me enjoy Kim`s vibrant and rich culture selection that camera lenses cannot capture," said Han Joo-eun, a visiting businesswoman from Korea.

Kim`s next overseas fashion show will be in Spain in July.

By Ahn Hyo-lim Korea Herald correspondent



(iamhyol@heraldm.com)