Sustainability takes center stage at Seoul Fashion Week

Seoul Fashion Week, organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, ran from Sept. 3 to 7 at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Jung District, central Seoul, with additional off-site shows at venues such as the Seosomun Shrine History Museum.

Attendees take photos of Caruso's 2025 Spring/Summer collection show, held at the Sky Square of the Seosomun Shrine History Museum in central Seoul. during Seoul Fashion Week on Sept. 4. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

At this year’s Seoul Fashion Week for the 2025 Spring/Summer (S/S) collection, fashion and sustainability — two concepts often seen as incompatible — came together in unexpected harmony.

The event, organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, ran from Sept. 3 to 7 at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Jung District, central Seoul, with additional off-site shows at venues such as the Seosomun Shrine History Museum.

Sustainability took center stage this season, bringing environmental consciousness into the spotlight.

People visit DDP in Jung District, central Seoul, during Seoul Fashion Week on Sept. 7. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

One key brand that took part in the sustainability theme was PARTsPARTs, a brand established in 2011 with a commitment to zero waste.

"I started to question what role designers should play in an era of excess supply, and how fashion shows should evolve," PARTsPARTs creative director Im Seon-oc told the Korea JoongAng Daily at the DDP on Sept. 4.

“That is why we decided to approach it differently from large conglomerates. We decided to use only one type of material, focusing on our identity and cost-effectiveness.”

The brand utilizes a proprietary material called New Neoprene and employs innovative design techniques like Lego-style patterns that reduce waste by bonding fabrics instead of sewing them, minimizing the need for additional materials. The designs also allow the brand to easily repurpose garments by detaching and reattaching fabric sections to create new looks.

Visitors look around PARTsPARTs' exhibit at DDP in Jung District, central Seoul, on Sept. 4. [CHO JUNG-WOO]

"Sustainability isn’t just about eco-friendly materials; it’s about creating clothing that can last and be repaired," she said, highlighting the durability of her designs. She further noted that she had worn her designed clothes for 13 years without ever needing to iron them.

Another standout presenter during Seoul Fashion Week this season was Hyosung TNC, a company known for producing regen ocean nylon. The material is the world’s first nylon made from recycled fishing nets recovered from the ocean and was developed in 2007, according to the company.

"We are further developing technology to recycle discarded fabrics and mass-produce them," Park Ro-man, performance leader at Hyosung TNC’s NYPET Regen Unit, told the Korea JoongAng Daily after the company's presentation, held at the DDP Design Lab on Sept. 4.

The company also highlighted its use of regen polyester, a material derived from recycled plastic bottles. These bottles are transformed into threads, which are then woven into new clothing.

At its exhibit, Hyosung TNC showcased a collaboration with the environmentally conscious fashion brand Montsenu, featuring garments made from discarded hotel linens and repurposed leather from old sofas.

The presentation was part of the city government's initiative to help Korean designer brands engage more effectively with the fashion industry. Four labels — Seokwon Yoon, EENK, Bonbom and MMAM — along with Hyosung TNC, participated in this new segment of Seoul Fashion Week.

Runway looks from July Column's 2025 Springl/Summer collection during Seoul Fashion Week on Sept. 4. [NEWS1]

Sustainable fashion also made its mark on the runway. July Column, a Korean brand, partnered with bottled water company Jeju Samdasoo to create part of its collection from recycled water bottles. The fashion brand is also known for repurposing deadstock fabric, while Jeju Samdasoo promotes eco-friendly practices with lightweight, label-free bottles.

Fashion shows were also held outside the official runway venues.

Three brands — Caruso, Big Park and Sling Stone — staged their off-site shows at DDP’s outdoor plaza and the Sky Square at Seosomun Shrine History Museum in central Seoul.

The museum's Sky Square was transformed into a "secret garden" decorated with Caruso's S/S collection, while Big Park highlighted the importance of environmental protection by showcasing pieces made from its archived fabrics.

"We hope to expand these off-site shows so that Seoul can solidify its status as a global fashion hub where people can experience fashion throughout the city," said a city government official.

A person throws away a plastic bottle into a collection box set up by Jeju Samdasoo at DDP during Seoul Fashion Week in September. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Additionally, 30 brands participated in showroom tours across popular neighborhoods like Cheongdam, Seongsu and Hannam, which are known for setting Korean fashion trends. These tours were introduced during the 2024 F/W season and have continued since then.

Beyond the runway, Seoul Fashion Week included a trade expo that brought together 62 Korean brands like Kirsh and Marhen.J, offering designers a platform to connect with buyers.

Sophie Kan, CEO of buying office LC Fashion, poses for a photo during an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily on Sept. 4. [CHO JUNG-WOO]

Sophie Kan, CEO of buying office LC Fashion, was one of the 117 buyers who attended this season's Seoul Fashion Week.

"More and more buyers are coming to Korea because of their growing love for Korean fashion," Kan, who attended the event to source Korean brands for the Thai market, told the Korea JoongAng Daily. This marked her second time at Seoul Fashion Week.

"It is also the soft power of Korea such as K-beauty and K-pop — along with strong marketing, all working together to make the country trendy."

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]