SEOUL FASHION WEEK FW18: BLINDNESS
BLINDNESS Fall/Winter 2018 collection review.
Words Lauren Sloan & Gissella Ramirez-Valle, Media Seoul Fashion Week
After BLINDNESS’ previous season at Seoul Fashion Week, the universe has been thirsting for more of the genderless brand’s avant-garde designs. Holding a dynamic combination between contemporary art and youth culture, the brand creates another timeless, intricate collection beyond its season that focuses on the divide of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. By holding Korean roots, the brand aimed this FW18 collection to make the statement of the Koreas being “the only divided nations on earth” and discuss their belief of fashion being “the culture that spreads messages.”
Although entering a new season, BLINDNESS’ SS18 collection held a familiar feeling. Each piece and design preserved a similar concept to the brand’s past collections but injected new and refreshing patterns and textures. Inspired by Picasso’s “Guernica” and “Massacre en Corée,” BLINDNESS incorporated traditionally masculine associated pieces such as trench coats, blazers, and bomber jackets and gave them a feminine twist through the floral patterns, pearl detailing and exaggerated ruffles. The bomber jacket is representative of a military uniform and symbolized war, but the floral prints contrastingly expressed a message of peace, which played into the collection's inspiration of Korea’s divide.
The models came down the runway covered almost entirely in material, masks, and hats, only revealing brief glimpses of skin and overall masking gender identity. While the floral bodysuits also recalled the outfits worn by 80's LGBT and British club culture icon Leigh Bowery, the show's heavy techno soundtrack (the genre of choice in Seoul's underground clubs today) grounded the showing as a reflection of contemporary youth culture. The masks reiterated these themes through the embroidered phrases “Gender is Over,” “New Wave,” and “Hopeful". Together with BLINDNESS, we are hopeful too.
