[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] This fall and winter season, fashion items focusing on comfort and practicality are expanding amid the prolonged recession caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Samsung C&T Fashion Division's Kooho presented wool blend cardigans for this fall season, along with knit hooded long dresses with volume silhouettes and finely ribbed knit pants. Features such as side slits and waist bands enhance mobility and wearing comfort, combining comfort with sophistication.
Kooho Plus also introduced practical items that can be used in various ways. These include jacket-style shirts with short lengths and outer pockets, and outerwear-style dresses with three-dimensional silhouettes and waist belts as focal points.
A Kooho representative explained, "This season's products reinterpret the typical men's tailored look from a feminine perspective instead of a binary gender distinction, expressing femininity suitable for a modern context."
Contemporary casual brand Il Corso, operated by lifestyle company LF (CEO Oh Gyusik), launched new products with a minimal mood. The collection features various items including a new version of Il Corso's steady seller and signature lamb leather rider jacket, a belted long trench coat that creates a sophisticated silhouette, and a transitional season shirket series made with Italian Loro Piana and Cerruti fabrics.
Applying materials suitable for the fall season and minimal designs, the collection allows for diverse daily styling. It exudes Il Corso's unique sensibility by adding trendy details and street moods to denim in various colors such as blue, khaki, orange, and navy.
As living environments change due to remote work and social distancing, unisex looks that can be worn regardless of gender are gaining popularity, leading to new brand launches and product releases in this category.
Kolon Industries FnC Division (hereafter Kolon FnC) recently opened the first offline store of its unisex young casual brand 'Lucky Marche' simultaneously at COEX Mall in Samseong-dong and online at Kolon Mall. Lucky Marche consists of 51 types of clothing and accessories that can be worn by both men and women, characterized by unique colors and graphics such as Choco Muffin and Green Wonder.
A Kolon FnC representative said, "Lucky Marche is Kolon FnC's first proprietary unisex brand," adding, "Since COVID-19, fashion that can be comfortably enjoyed without gender boundaries has been reappraised, and we are strengthening unisex fashion."
LF's unisex brand Dunst has recorded double-digit sales growth rates this year (as of the 27th of last month). Launched last year, Dunst has continuously produced hit items such as the gender-neutral 'Reference Hood' and 'Crewneck T-shirts.' Released as an online-exclusive brand, it has established a distribution network centered on major fashion online select shops favored by the millennial generation, including LF Mall, Musinsa, 29CM, and W Concept.
Casual brand Andew of Hansae MK also introduced unisex fall and winter new products. An Andew representative said, "We plan to newly develop gender-neutral fashion by employing professional fashion models active on global runway stages in the second half of the year."
A fashion industry insider explained, "Multi-fashion styles such as genderless, which eliminate gender boundaries, are rapidly emerging as mainstream fashion trends amid the COVID-19 pandemic," adding, "Practical items that allow free styling during economic downturns are gaining attention."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
