SHANGHAI -- Korea's top designer Andre Kim presented his Spring/Summer '09 fashion collection in Shanghai on Tuesday, showing off the beauty of Korean arts and culture expressed in his signature designs. Held at the Shanghai Mart located in the center of the southeastern port city of China, the fashion show was the opening event of "Preview in Shanghai 2008", an annual fashion and textile exhibition organized by the Korea Federation of Textile Industries and sponsored by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.
Aimed at increasing the market share of Korean fashion brands in China, the three-day event exhibits the latest fashion trends in Korea through a series of business consultation conferences, exhibitions and fashion shows. In its sixth year, the annual event has helped Korean companies expand their business in Shanghai, the fashion epicenter of China. The event, which draws a total of 120 apparel and fabric companies from Korea, ends tomorrow.
In the opening fashion show, Kim presented a total of 123 pieces. Under the theme "Beijing Festival", Kim's fashion show started with a stage that celebrated the opening of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The Korean designer presented dresses in white, purple, red and gold accentuated with sparkling spangles lavishly embroidered in each piece. The show was attended by an audience of more than 2,000 spectators. Kim amazed the audience by delivering the message of everlasting love and romanticism through his symbolic fashion and the dramatic performances of models. White suits and wedding dresses romantically embellished with Kim's symbolic flower pattern gave the crowning touch to the fashion show.
The 72-year-old designer also appealed to the Chinese audience with his modern interpretation of traditional Chinese dresses presented with lots of volume on the shoulder line and the lavish use of bright, intense colors.
"The fashion show was fantastic and very romantic. I could see the beauty of Korean traditional culture through his designs. I also loved the quality of fabrics and the choice of colors", said Aria Liu, deputy chief director of Fashion Circle, one of the TV programs on China Beijing TV Station.
Kim, famous for having star celebrities on his show, had three Korean Wave stars Lee Da-hae, Jang Geun-seok and Kim Jeong-hoon, present his creations. Actress Lee became a household name in the hit-drama "Lotus Flower Fairy" (2004) which won explosive popularity across Asia. Lee was escorted by actor Jang Geun-seok, 20, who recently appeared in KBS drama "Hong Gil Dong". The show also featured singer-turned-actor Kim Jeong-hoon. Debuted as a member of K-pop group U.N., Kim turned to TV acting after he appeared in the drama "Princess Hours" ("Gung" in Korean) with Yoon Eun-hye.
Since 1994, designer Kim has also been holding a number of fashion collections making his name known to people in China. Designer Kim has already put on several shows in foreign countries including China, the United States and Egypt.
By Cho Chung-un
Korea Herald correspondent
_________________________________________
Andre Kim (left) stands with Korean Wave stars Kim Jeong-hoon (second from left), Lee Da-hae and Jang Keun-suk at his fashion show in Shanghai on Tuesday. [Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald]
Twitter
Digg
del.icio.us
English 
