Andre Kim's Fall Fashion at Songdo

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Korea's top designer Andre Kim presented his fall and winter fashion collection in a fashion show commemorating the grand opening of the convention and exhibition hall, Songdo Convensia, in Songdo, Incheon.

Leading actress Han Chae-young and young actor Jeong Eun-woo walked the runway wearing Kim's signature designs. Han, dubbed as Korea's "Barbie doll" for her tall and curvaceous figure, looked stunning as always as she wore Kim's elaborate evening gowns.

The fashion show featured the entire range of Kim's designs in vibrant colors, from fur-trimmed coats and black-and-white suit dresses to slinky exotic dresses and voluminous embroidered robes.

Prominent members of the diplomatic community also participated in the fashion show, including New Zealand Ambassador Jane Coombs, El Salvador Ambassador Zoila Aguirre De May and Netherlands Ambassador Hans Heinsbroek.

Five girls from the talk show "Beauties Chatterbox", including Dominique Noel from Canada and Bronwyn Mullen from South Africa, also participated in the fashion show as models.

The nearly hour-long fashion show ended on a dreamy and romantic note, as Han and Jeong appeared as a picture-perfect bride and groom. Han looked gorgeous in a snowy white long gown, while Jeong looked handsome in a dark suit.

Kim was named honorary promotional ambassador for Songdo Convensia, the newly built exhibition hall in Incheon. Incheon mayor Ahn Sang-soo, who was also participated in the fashion show as a model, gave a plaque of appreciation to Kim.

"We are honored Andre Kim, a prominent designer, is here to support the grand opening of Songdo Convensia. We are preparing Incheon as a hub of East Asia … We want Incheon to become the new engine of growth to lead Korea's economy in the 21st century"', Ahn said.

Stan Gale, chairman of the U.S.-based Gale International which is developing the Songdo project, hailed the opening of the Songdo Convensia.

"The Songdo international business district is full speed ahead. Songdo Convensia is an architectural gem for the city of Incheon. It is not just a place to pass idle time but also functional and provides inspiration for the people".
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Fashion show in Songdo: Foreign ambassadors and their wives pose at the Andre Kim Fashion Show to commemorate the opening of Songdo Convensia, a high-tech convention center in Songdo, Incheon, Tuesday. From left: top designer Andre Kim; Annabel von Arnim-Baas, wife of German Ambassador Norbert Baas; Wendy Fil, wife of Joseph F. Fil Jr., the 8th Army commanding-general; Francoise Thiebaud, wife of French Ambassador Philippe Thiebaud; Donna Heinsbroek, wife of Dutch Ambassador Hans Heinsbroek; Ahn Sang-soo, mayor of Incheon; El Salvadoran Ambassador Zoila Aguirre De May; Bjorg Skorstad, wife of Norwegian Ambassador Didrik Tonseth; Chu Qingling, wife of Chinese Ambassador Ning Fukui; and New Zealand Ambassador Jane Charlotte Coombs. / Korea Times Photo by Shim Hyun-chul