Kookmin University’s Department of Fashion Design held its 54th graduation fashion show at the Eoullim Plaza in the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). Held under the theme “Fashion Leaves in Everyone,” the show featured 37 students and a total of 108 outfits.

An Experimental Stage Combining Handicrafts and AI Technology

Park Seong-ho, the student in charge of directing the show, stated, “Since we brought together the works of students with diverse personalities and themes onto a single stage, we aimed to convey the message that fashion is alive and breathing, even if it exists in different forms within everyone’s hearts.”

△ Student work from Numming

This creative vision was also reflected in the teaser video released in advance. The video presents collections with diverse themes as a cohesive narrative, capturing the process by which students translate their experiences and ways of life into fashion.

For this graduation fashion show, the students completed their pieces using traditional handcrafted techniques while actively incorporating AI technology throughout the creative process. During the design research phase, they utilized AI to explore images and forms, experimenting with garment silhouettes and fabric combinations in various ways. This allowed them to develop their individual concepts more concretely, and in the final production stage, they enhanced the quality of their work through direct handcrafted techniques.

△ Work by student Lee Ga-eun

AI technology was also applied to the stage production process. AI was utilized to plan production elements—such as lighting, sound, and video composition—based on the mood and message each stage and outfit was intended to convey. This show is notable for the fact that AI was used not to replace the designer’s sensibilities, but as a tool to expand the creator’s intent and broaden the possibilities of expression.

Experimental Collections by Students Highlighted by Alumni and External Judges

The awards were divided into university awards, alumni association awards, and external judge awards, with a total of 10 students receiving honors. For the Alumni Association Awards, judges included the President of the Alumni Association, as well as Jeong Kyung-ah (CEO of ISA), Kim Kyung-hee (CEO of Hike), and Kim Nam-hee (CEO of Dolshilnai). For the External Jury Awards, the judging panel consisted of Lee Myung-shin (CEO of Low Classic), Ko Tae-yong (CEO of Beyond Closet), and Cho Seong-min (CEO of Jaden Cho).

△ Work by Kim Seon-woo

In the category where Lee Myung-shin, CEO of Low Classic, served as the presenter, student Numing took home the award. Numing presented a collection centered on shamanism, developing materials with a creepy atmosphere using latex, hair, and denim to bring a bold concept to life.

Numing remarked, “Kookmin University’s textile curriculum seems more in-depth compared to other schools,” adding, “Because the professors provide deep and detailed feedback on our work and designs, the quality of our final pieces is elevated accordingly.”

△ Work by Park Tae-yong

In the category where Go Tae-yong, CEO of Beyond Closet, served as the presenter, student Park Tae-yong received the award. Park Tae-yong presented a collection themed “Memories of Lee.” He expressed his personal experiences growing up between two cultures and two languages through asymmetrical patterns and restrictive strap details, and used a silk-screen foam binder technique to capture the visual afterimages left by “strange memories.”

Park Tae-yong said, “Throughout the entire process, I put a lot of thought into capturing abstract memories as physical records,” adding, “The process wasn’t easy, but I was greatly motivated by seeing alumni designers active in various fields, such as Hyein Seo, thisisneverthat, and POLYTERU.”

Professor Park Juhee of Kookmin University, who supervised this graduation fashion show, said, “I hope they never lose the passion for fashion they hold now, even after graduation.” She added, “I hope they find paths in the fashion industry that suit their aptitudes and continue to work diligently.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Fashion Design at Kookmin University has produced alumni founders and designers who lead brands such as thisisneverthat, No Manual, Amazing Kree, Lian New York, Ajo by Ajo, Dol Sil Nae, Another Office, Ryul & Y, Le Sugi Atelier, and Iceberg Golf, establishing itself as a cradle for nurturing talent in the domestic fashion industry.

Source: https://www.ktnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=146439

This article was published with the permission of The Korea Textile News.