Designer Lie Sang Bong to show his Klimt-inspired collection in Vienna

During Seoul Fashion Week, designer Lie Sang Bong showcased his latest line of clothing called “The Kiss,” based on Gustav Klimt’s (1862-1918) masterpiece “The Kiss” (1907-08). According to Lie, his 2023 Fall/Winter collection was highly praised...

Designer Lie Sang Bong, left, and Wolfgang Bergmann, Belvedere's Chief Financial Officer, pose after signing a memorandum of understanding at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in central Seoul. [SHIN MIN-HEE]

During Seoul Fashion Week, designer Lie Sang Bong showcased his latest line of clothing called “The Kiss,” based on Gustav Klimt’s (1862-1918) masterpiece “The Kiss” (1907-08).

According to Lie, his 2023 Fall/Winter collection was highly praised by people, with some even citing that it was “like a reincarnation of the painting.”

Now the Belvedere Museum in Vienna, which celebrates its 300th anniversary of construction this year, is planning to hold the very same fashion show at the Belvedere Gardens on Sept. 5, Lie said Tuesday in a press conference. On the sidelines of the event, the museum will hold a non-fungible token (NFT) project that puts limited edition NFTs of parts of the iconic masterpiece up for sale. It also teased that it may turn some of Lie’s items into NFTs.

Lie’s “The Kiss” collection reinterprets the oil painting using the original’s signature golden hues and geometric patterns. Lie signed a memorandum of understanding with the Belvedere Museum, which is in possession of the painting, before he began designing the line.

Lie Sang Bong bows after his 2023 Fall/Winter collection show on March 19 during Seoul Fashion Week. [LIE SANG BONG]

Lie’s ties with Austria trace back to a decade ago, when he held a fashion show in Vienna for the occasion of Korea and Austria’s 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

What makes Lie’s collection special is that it’s not simply a replica or prints of the “The Kiss” painting. Lie stressed that he put emphasis on reviving craftsmanship, in terms of materials and techniques, from embroidery and patterns to using fur and leather.

“I learned so much while studying Klimt’s painting, and I contemplated deeply on how I was going to reinterpret it into my garments,” Lie said. “So I decided to apply the traditional methods of crafting. I felt like it was my duty as a designer to make sure I was creating an upgrade of the painting.”

A model struts down the catwalk during Lie Sang Bong's 2023 Fall/Winter collection show on March 19 for Seoul Fashion Week. [LIE SANG BONG]

To Lie, “The Kiss” is important not just to symbolize Korea and Austria’s relationship, but also because it represents love.

“The pandemic prevented people from expressing their love toward another,” he said. “A kiss involves two people interacting skin to skin, but the world wasn’t allowed to do that because of Covid. I think a kiss is the best way to show one’s declaration of love, which is why I decided to name my collection directly after the painting. I really wanted to convey that message.”

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]