Fashion dreams of tomorrow as art, crypto and style collide in Seoul

Bad World is an occasional column by Tony Ty Sterrett, filmmaker, futurist, and the intersection of fashion and technology.

Seoul, South Korea isn't just a vibe—it's an education.

In an age of soaring inflation and global uncertainty, it's easy to embrace minimalism, a lesson we can take from Seoul's fashion scene.

In September, I traveled to South Korea for a fireside discussion about the future of fashion at Avalanche House with Calvin Chan, co-chair of Ava Labs at Tiffany's. The event took place during one of the most exciting weeks in Seoul as local cultural events collide, including Seoul Fashion Week, Seoul Art Week and Korea Blockchain Week. The city was a melting pot of fashion, art and technology.

A revelation? Seoul fashion isn't about excess – it's about identity. Amidst the chaos of inflation and uncertainty in much of the world, Seoul's elegant fashion ban provides antidote. It refers to choices that are meaningful, not excessive.

Sidenote: One of my biggest gripes is that Seoul doesn't have the “bad dog culture” of Instagram model style (lashes and body-conscious clothing). Sure, high heels were the norm for women in the past, but embracing comfortable shoes—mostly the shoes of most people, regardless of age—has been fun and affirming. My own feet, post-Covid, aren't that keen on stilettos.

We've always admired bold and bold styles, so it was eye-opening to see Korean women embrace loose clothing not just as a fashion statement, but as a means of comfort, function and style.

Everywhere I looked, from the plane to the streets, it was something special to be immersed in a culture that embraced modesty and luxury fashion at the same time, and that modesty never felt cramped or deliberate. It felt… cool. And it was confidence-inducing – because being confident and comfortable in your own skin is very, very inherently sexy. It's a striking contrast to the K-Pop style/fashion that has exploded in the West, inadvertently capitalizing on “.Quiet luxuryHe said.

What really resonated with me was the dominance of monochrome outfits. With a palette that primarily revolves around black, white, gray and cream, Seoul's fashion scene exudes a sense of calm and serenity – something we desperately need in these troubled times.

While I'll let the experts delve into the nuances of Seoul Fashion Week, what I noticed for me was how Seoul Art Week, which includes Frieze Seoul, captures the intersection of fashion, technology, and art more strongly than Fashion Week. Organizers.

That's probably why the comments Vogue business”How Frieze Seoul left the city's fashion week in the dust” were created. This is especially true given South Korea's adoption of new technologies such as AI and blockchain. Freeze Seoul is really where all those worlds collide. The convergence of disciplines at events like Frieze Seoul shows the heart of creativity in an ever-evolving world.

Consider sponsorships at Frieze—from Chanel's art-house videos to W Concept's creative lounge, and BMW's amazing AI Canvas cars. These partnerships are not just marketing strategies. They are a testament to the endless possibilities when fashion, art and technology come together.

And this is where the world grapples with economic and social challenges. It's not about quantity anymore – it's about quality. Like 3D printers, AR and AI are about using technology to break free from traditional consumer constraints. And it's about reimagining consumption not as acquisition, but as the art of discernment.

So, while I'm not saying we should all be wearing South Korean clothing, trust me, it's tempting – there's an undeniable wisdom in their approach. In these times of inflation and uncertainty, the integration of common sense, technology and sustainability can lead us to a more harmonious and conscious future.

After all, isn't this the ultimate “bad girl dog” move?