London designer Sohee Park loves clothes with a past.
“I've always liked very old things that have been neglected and I find beauty in them,” says this self-confessed magpie who has accumulated all kinds of antique knick-knacks over the years.
She channeled this into a spring collection where she translated mother-of-pearl jewelry boxes, a traditional Korean headdress, precious vases adorned with opulent floral decoration, and even antique tiles into richly embellished sensual silhouettes.
“Seduction is being yourself and being confident,” she said backstage before her sophomore show in Paris. “It is not to seduce the other sex.”
Save for one or two puffy skirts, Park's spring focused on embracing and highlighting the female form, finishing dresses with dramatic backs cut sometimes so low that they hinted at another type of cleavage.
Mermaid dresses abounded, here with a visible corset element at the waist, there a blush-toned tulle dress embroidered in a cascade of flowers. There was even one made out of a bodysuit with a skirt that looked like fresh lilac tulle wrapped around the hips.
Among the highlights was her bridal opening look; a cross-back dress with its bodice embroidered with countless geometric designs resembling accumulated petals ending in a flow of light gray tulle; a sparkling midnight blue column with a gold collar plastron that made her look majestic and three jeweled brooches that held it closed on her hip.
The bags and fans were created in collaboration with South Korean artisans, using Hansan Mosi, a fine ramie-style fabric that is made from hemp and is one of the country's heritage textiles.
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