Lie Sang Bong
No one understands this better than Lie Sang Bong who started his collection in 1985 and who has been showing in Paris every season since 2002.

“The most attractive reason for joining both Paris and Seoul Fashion Week is that I can express my inspirations in varieties of ways,” said Lie Sang Bong. “For example, the theme is strongly emphasized with only the essential pieces used to create a perfect mood of the show in Paris. Hence the looks for the Seoul Fashion show are more diverse and entertaining with strong performances and more showmanship for the Korean fans. By joining more fashion shows in different places, I believe I can express my inspiration in varieties of ways according to their style and the culture.”

His new collection, made locally with fabrics specially developed in Korea, is based on the Doi Dam, old Korean stone walls. The stones became the inspiration for the charcoal makeup covering the models’ faces and the 3D embroideries and patterns on jackets, skirts and dresses. A stretch silk dress embroidered with black shiny stones was a highlight.

As a fashion designer working in Seoul, Mr. Lie is an exception and there is no comparison.

Traditional Korean culture has influenced Mr. Lie’s previous collections, notably the Hangeul collections where the Korean alphabet made up the prints. The intersection of tradition and modernity is central to all of Mr. Lie’s work, and as such his fashion attempts to connect different cultures and peoples together. In this respect he is the foremost ‘international’ of the Korean designers at the moment.

“For me, [Paris] is a door to promote my country and the culture to international people from all around the world,” he said. “And I also get inspired by their culture through their feedback.”