While cities across the world continue their own Fashion Week occasions, we look forward to what innovative and inspiring designs Seoul Fashion Week will unveil in the coming days. As a precursor to the event, let us take a peek at the Korean brand Beyond Closet by Tae Yong, which recently had a successful showing in New York and will also be present in the lineup for Seoul’s fashion events.
This isn’t your typical menswear, but rather a reinvention and re-envisioning of pre-existing connotations placed on men’s clothing. Taking a mix of past memories from his school era, Tae Yong refers to his collection’s main aspect as “mix-matched styling using items inspired from the school-movie, comics on preppy and classical looks. A stylish boy just hangs around town all the time for nothing, a school bully, a young gentleman from a wealthy family with rebellious feelings inside. The images of these kids are the key look of this season.”
While we personally don’t endorse these schoolboy stereotypes, there is no denying the cinematic quality to the entire collection that makes viewers feel as if each outfit has a story behind it that plays out in one’s imagination. You can see the wealthy boys in tailored jackets of bold, primary colors with collared shirts and ties, and the hint rebellion found in an untucked shirt. Just as easily as the first, you will find Tae Yong’s school bully with splashes of urban chains and print detailing along with a tough demeanor that prefers not to be messed with. Then finally, we meet the stylish guys that are always around town carrying an on-trend clutch accessory and sporting statement patterns that make them stand out against the crowd. They are the ones that make your turn for a second look and wonder where they shop.
Beyond Closet is true reinvention of fashion. Instead of producing the typical ten minute show of models moving up and down the walkway, Tae Yong gave a fluid story. In fact, he gave the ability for viewers to create multiple stories, and to think beyond just seeing people wearing clothes. This is about the memories and school memories (something we all can relate to in one way or another). On a personal note, Beyond Closet was one of the most interesting shows I’ve viewed in a long time because it allowed my imagination to roam free and more importantly, it made me forget that these are models simply showing off superb designs.
Of course, here is the designer himself.
–STORY BY MIN A. LEE
All images and information courtesy of Jay Lee of Beyond Closet for Tae Yong & Brand
