adidas party!

Adidas Originals Exemplify Street Style

A model wears a denim outfit from the limited edition collection ``adidas Originals by Diesel," during a fashion show at the aA Design Museum, Hongdae. / Courtesy of adidas Originals By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Today's street fashion won't be the same without sportswear. Young people just love sneakers, track pants, sporty jackets and accessories, all of which are part of their wardrobe. Adidas Originals is at the forefront of street fashion, introducing innovative designs for sneakers, clothes and accessories catering to the young and hip crowd. Adidas Originals recently unveiled its spring/summer 2008 collection with unique products that ``celebrate originality'' at the aA Design Museum in Hongdae. Hongdae may seem like a curious choice as a venue for a fashion event, when most fashion brands always hold their shows in posh hotels or chic bars in Cheongdam-dong or Apgujeong-dong. Adidas Korea president and managing director Paul Hardisty said the choice of Hongdae as obvious because the area is known for its vibrant arts scene and creative energy. ``Adidas Originals is about street and sub-cultures. I would say it is more about music and arts. What better place to do it than in Hongdae and in an art gallery? We are introducing products that cater to individualistic people. Every one has their own character and people will find something special they like in every range,'' Hardisty told The Korea Times. Hardisty noted the Hongdae crowd, with its mix of young artists, designers and musicians, best defines the brand's target market. With thumping music from Japanese DJ Fantastic Plastic Machine, the fashion show featured clothes, shoes and accessories with themes inspired by music, culture, environment and sports. The catwalk included not just professional models, but also a handful of die-hard fans who are also make-up artists, stylists and tattoo artists. Japanese rocker Atsusi, a member of Dragon Ash, added a bit of excitement to the show when he showed creative dance moves while modeling the latest apparel. The six themes for spring and summer are: adidas Grun, Handbags for Feet, Original Games, Tournament Edition, Sounds of the City and Respect M.E. A pair of sneakers from the ``Handbags for Feet" collection by adidas Originals. / Courtesy of adidas Originals Adidas Grun shows the brand's commitment to becoming more environmentally friendly, with products such as the ``Forum basketball sneaker'' and ``ZX 500 runner,'' made from recycled materials. Handbags for Feet are for the fashionista who wants comfortable but stylish footwear, which are inspired by luxury handbag designs. Hip-hop star Missy Elliot's Respect M.E. collection features a new line called VIP Hop that uses matte gold and monogram prints in its design. On the other hand, Sounds of the City features collaborations with music industry icons such as Motown, Jam Master Jay and Blue Note. The Tournament Edition collection reinterprets the classic tennis styles worn by tennis icons such as Rod Laver, Stan Smith and Ilie Nastase. The Original Games collection is all about products inspired by the Olympics, as Beijing hosts the Olympic Games next year. The fashion show also featured several limited edition denim pieces from adidas' collaboration with Diesel, which will be introduced in shops next year. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

kandinsky

Kandinsky, Other Russian Masterpieces in Seoul

Vassily Kandinsky's ``Blue Crest'' is one of the paintings included in the ``Kandinsky and Russian Masterpieces'' exhibition at the Hangaram Art Museum in Seoul. By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The richness of Russian art and culture may be unknown among many Koreans, but the new exhibition ``Kandinsky and Russian Masterpieces'' is hoping to change that. Ninety-one works by prominent Russian artists such as Vassily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich, Natalia Goncharova and Ilya Repin are currently on display at the Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center complex, southern Seoul. Two of Russia's most prominent galleries, the State Russian Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery, lent the works for the exhibition that covers 19th century to early 20th century Russian art, the first of its kind in Korea. It runs through Feb. 27. In an interview with The Korea Times, Tretyakov Museum deputy director Lidia Iobleva said it took three years to prepare for this exhibition since they had to decide which works would be able to travel to Seoul. Seoul National University professor Park Jong-so said, in the exhibition catalogue, that Russian paintings of the late 19th century are ``the culmination of the art of realism which depicts 'social reality just as it is.''' ``Korea will be able to see how 'art as an active force of social participation' (one of the essential characteristics of Russian art) manifests itself in the territory of high art, meet the questions of what is life and what is truth, and bump into those souls of art who are struggling to find the answers to these questions,'' Park said. The first part of the exhibition focuses on 19th century realism. If the lighting in the room seems a bit dark, it is done intentionally to create the appropriate conditions for viewing the portraits of famous writers and musicians. Russian painters chose to do portraits depicting the person as they were, with no attempt to beautify them. Among the works displayed are, Repin's portraits of authors Leo Tolstoy (``L.N. Tolstoy at Rest in the Forest'') and Ivan Turgenev; Nikolai Kuznetsov's portrait of composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky; and Vasily Perov's portrait of writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky. There are also historical, landscape and scenery paintings. Ivan Aivazovsky's ``Storm'' depicts chaotic seas in the middle of a storm, while Vasily Perov's ``Drowned Woman'' shows a soldier smoking while a dead woman lies in front of him. ``Oral Counting (in the S.A. Rachinsky public school)'' by Nikolai Bogdanov-Belsky depicts a group of young boys studying in class. In ``Oral Counting (in the S.A. Rachinsky public school),'' Nikolai Bogdanov-Belsky perfectly captures the confused look of young boys studying arithmetic in class. Firs Zhuravlyov's ``Before the wedding ceremony'' depicts a distraught bride who is about to marry an older man. In the 20th century, the experimental and avant-garde Russian movement emerged, as artists moved away from western European influences. The leading figure of this movement is Kandinsky, known as one of the first and greatest pioneers of pure abstract art. Four of his works, ``Blue Crest,'' ``Composition #223,'' ``River in Autumn,'' and ``Summer Landscape,'' are displayed in a separate room. Other notable works from this period are Goncharova's ``Hoar Frost'' and ``Larionov's Tree,'' and Malevich's ``Cow and Violin.'' Ivan Karlov, deputy director of the Russian Museum, said it is very hard to decide which of the works are the best or most important. ``It is difficult to choose because for me, all of them are the best. These works are like children to me,'' he told The Korea Times. Tickets are 12,000 won for adults, 9,000 won for 12 year olds to 17 year olds, and 7,000 won for children between 6 year olds to 11 year olds. The museum is closed on the last Monday of every month. Seoul Arts Center is a 10-minute walk from Nambu Bus Terminal subway station (Line 3, Exit 4 or 5). Local buses are also available. Visit www.2007kandinsky.com or call Seoul Arts Center (02) 525-3321. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

korean art

National Treasures on Display in Houston

The crown with pendants from Geumgwan-chong (Tomb of the Gold Crown) is one of two Korean National Treasures on display at the Arts of Korea gallery, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. / Courtesy of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Two National Treasures from Korea are now on display at a newly-opened gallery dedicated to Korean art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) in Texas. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston opened the Arts of Korea gallery Saturday, making it the only gallery in the Southwest devoted to Korean traditional and contemporary art. Former U.S. President George H. W. Bush attended the opening ceremony. On exclusive loan from the National Museum of Korea are two national treasures from the 5th century Silla Kingdom, a crown with pendants (National Treasure no. 87) and a girdle with pendants (National Treasure no. 88). The two rare gold pieces are making their first appearance outside Korea, and can be viewed at the MFAH through January 2008. The Arts of Korea Gallery presents 5,000 years of cultural history, as well as contemporary art. MFAH director Peter C. Marzio said the museum's acquisition of Korean contemporary art distinguishes it from other installations. ``This new art stems from the emergence of Korean artists into the global interchange of ideas, and communicates the artists' complex response to their cultural past. Korea's long and distinguished history of traditional art is rarely presented here in the United States, so it is with sincere gratitude that we acknowledge the National Museum of Korea for its loan of so many important examples of traditional Korean art,'' Marzio said. The Arts of Korea gallery has four thematic sections, ceramics, Buddhist art, women's personal ornaments and contemporary art. Artist Suh Do-ho was commissioned to create an entrance gate to the gallery, which will be completed and installed next year. The main highlights of the exhibition are the gold crown and girdle, which were both retrieved from Geumgwan-chong (Tomb of the Gold Crown), Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. The crown is made of sheet gold with stylized tree and antler-shaped elements, which represent the connection between heaven and earth; and the crescent-shaped jade ornaments called ``gogok,'' symbolizes resurrection of life and abundance. The gold girdle measures nearly four feet in length, and is adorned with 17 pendants of model fish, small knives and tassels. The ceramics display features a 20-inch tall Neolithic comb-pattern vessel, red-burnished jar from the Bronze Age, a turtle-shaped celadon ewer from the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392) and a porcelain jar with a dragon and cloud design in cobalt blue from the late 18th to 19th century of the Joseon Kingdom. The Buddhist art exhibit shows how Buddhism has influenced Korean art. On display are figurative sculptures such as a ``Contemplative Bodhisattva'' from the Three Kingdoms period, ``Standing Buddha'' from the Silla period; and objects used in religious rituals such as the late ``Goryeo Ritual Ewer and Buddhist Bell.'' The section on women's personal ornaments and accessories feature intricate decorative pieces such as a Joseon period ornament with amber; an ornament with Jade, which show the unique Korean decorative knot called maedup; a celadon cosmetic case and mother-of-pearl inlaid mirror box. A selection of contemporary Korean art is also displayed at the Arts of Korea Gallery. Among the notable pieces are Shin Mee-kyoung's large carved Buddha made out of soap; Lee Bul's ``Untitled,'' a dynamic sculpture of wire, crystals and beads; and Atta Kim's ``Series of People, #073,'' from the ``Museum Project'' of a bride and groom in Western clothing in a glass box. Christine Starkman, MFAH curator of Asian art, said the juxtaposition of traditional art with modern Korean art, recognizes the contribution of Korean artists to the international scene. ``These artists very imaginatively engage with issues of Korean art history, globalization, and the nature of language and translation,'' she said. The Arts of Korea gallery, which was established with support from the Korea Foundation, is part of MFAH's commitment to Asian art. The museum will open a gallery for Indonesian art in spring 2008, while galleries for Chinese and Japanese art will open in December 2008. In January, MFAH will hold an exhibition ``Where Clouds Disperse,'' featuring ink paintings of Korean ink painter Suh Se-ok. A major exhibition ``Contemporary Art from Korea,'' co-organized with the Los Angeles Museum of Art, will be held in October 2009. The MFAH, founded in 1900, is the largest art museum in the Southwest. For information, visit www.mfah.org. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

fashion forecast

Spring, Summer Fashion Forecast

A model wears an evening gown designed by Paris-based Korean designer Jaison. / Courtesy of PAP Busan By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The Korean fashion industry wrapped up its spring and summer 2008 collections last week, although with seemingly less buzz and excitement than before. From late October to November, a flurry of fashion shows hit Korea. The Seoul Collection, Seoul Fashion Artists Association (SFAA) and Pret-a-Porter Busan (PAP Busan), not to mention individual designers and high-profile brands, have given their fashion forecasts for next season. Overall, the main look on Korea's runways was still very romantic, with lots of ruffles, muted tones and soft silhouettes. The color palette featured a lot of blacks, whites and grays, but bursts of neon color added some spice. Minimalist looks, tribal chic and artistic outfits were also spotted. Seoul Fashion Controversy marred the start of the fashion season, as SFAA members decided to split from the Seoul government-sponsored Seoul Collection. Both Seoul Collection and SFAA Collection drew noticeably thinner crowds respectively, as compared to previous years. The Seoul Collection, held between Oct. 19-26, featured 35 designers including Lee Young-hee, Imseonoc, Choi Bum-suk and Andy & Debb, and members of the New Wave Seoul and Korea Fashion Designers Association. Andy & Debb showed off clean, simple lines, and muted tones of sunflower yellow, cool gray and taupe in their collection. Choi Bum-suk also attracted attention for his softly chic and luxurious men's wear collection. On the other hand, SFAA held its series of fashion shows in a tent outside the National Theater of Korea last Nov. 20-22, which unfortunately marked the onset of a cold spell. People who braved the cold weather, shivered while watching the shows of 16 designers including Jinteok, Rubina, Oh Eun-hwan, Bakangchi, Chang Kwang-hyo and Sul Yun-hyoung. The themes for SFAA's spring and summer collection were ``romantic'' and ``nature,'' pastel colors and loose silhouettes with natural, eco-friendly fabrics. Grays, blacks and whitesgave a darker edge to the normally light color palette for spring. Jinteok's collection never fails to impress. On a white floored catwalk, models walked out wearing minimalist baby doll dresses with puffed sleeves, pared-down balloon skirts and A-line shapes. Cheerful colors such as orange, red, yellow, pink and blue popped up on sporty striped shirts and ruffled tops. The designer used silk chiffon, taffeta, shantung silk, tulle and jersey fabrics for her collection. Rubina brought a taste of African safari to the runways. She said she was inspired by travels to Africa, and aimed to create a romantic, feminine yet seductive mood for her collection. It featured one-piece dresses, oversized trench coats, loose blazers and a cocoon-style dress. She also used ethnic elements such as African-inspired beading, as well as animal prints for her collection. Bakangchi's ``vivi lady'' is the epitome of urban chic, as models walked down with bat wing-sleeved tops and puffed mini-pants. Lee Kyu-rye's models wore pretty dresses accented with ruffles, one of the key trends for next season. For the men's wear collections, Chang Kwang-hyo brought out sharp and slim suits in beige and black, while Kim Gyu-sik and Lee Ju-young opted for dark, futuristic looks. Lee's collection for Resurrection featured splashes of neon with metallic colors for a stylish rocker look for men. Models, including boy band SS501 member Kim Hyun-joong, strutted down the runway wearing black leather suits, metallic gold vests, cobalt blue tops and a lot of attitude. Kim Gyu-sik introduced a futuristic look for his men's wear collection which featured edgy motorcycle jackets. International Fashion Busan is trying to rival Seoul as the fashion capital of Korea. Pret-a-Porter Busan (PAP Busan), the last major fashion event of the season, distinguished itself from Seoul's fashion events by inviting foreign designers. In past years, designers such as Richard Chai, Doori Chung, Maria Cornejo and Michiko Koshino have shown their collections in Busan. This year, France's Christophe Guillarme, Japan's Minoru Adachi, China's Frankie Xie and Paris-based Korean designer Jaison added foreign flair to Busan's runways. Styles ranged from romantic dresses and sexy prints to dark, sophisticated looks. Guillarme brought his ultra-sophisticated, sexy designs inspired by mythical mermaids. He showed off different prints, such as silk burnt-out mix with smoky lace, python, aquatic flora and leopard, on slinky gowns and cut out dresses. He used kimono sleeves on some dresses, and experimented with rich colors such as turquoise blue, coral pink, antique gold, deep purple and lavender. Adachi's Mode Acote collection featured feminine looks with a touch of masculine appeal. He used a mix of synthetic and natural fabrics for his collection. Soft ruffles were featured on pale tops and airy dresses, while eyelets were used to accent dresses. Xie, who showed his collection at the Paris Fashion Week, designed outfits with flight attendants in mind. Stripes, short pants and knitted socks are reminiscent of American girls in the 1950's, while one-piece dresses over striped mini knitted sweaters recall the hip British style of the 1960's. Jaison, originally from Daegu and now based in Paris, showed off stunning evening gowns with rich detail and color. His design concept was based on a ``Night at Versailles,'' recalling the rich extravagance of the French palace. Busan-based designers Seo Soon-nam and Lee Young-hee (not to be confused with the hanbok designer Lee Young-hee) gave a hint of what the port city's emerging fashion style would be. Seo described her collection as ``elegant-retro,'' as she found inspiration from the feminine styles of the 1940's and 1960's. She used gray as her main palette, and accented it with rich colors including brown, dark blue, dark green, red, yellow and violet. Lee said she created modern, sporty looks based on simple but feminine shapes. This was seen in the black and white gingham, as well as colorful geometric prints found on flirty dresses. PAP Busan ended with a show by Seoul-based designer Park Choon-moo, who used a lot of black, white, silver and red in her collection. Inspired by the sun and moon, Park's collection featured bold circles on a gauzy sweater and cocoon-style dresses. While the fashion season may have started off on the wrong foot, Korea's designers have shown that their creative style and unique vision for spring and summer fashion still prevail. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

designers in busan

Jaison, Christophe Guillarme Make Korea Debut in PAP Busan By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The Pret-a-Porter (PAP) Busan is known as a stepping-stone for international designers to enter the Korean market, such as renowned designers Michiko Koshino, Maria Cornejo, Richard Chai and Doo-ri Chung, along with rising designers Belgian Christian Wijnants and French-Argentian Gaspard Yurkievich. This year, there were no big name designers, but certainly the presence of up-and-coming Paris-based designers Christophe Guillarme and Jaison added excitement to the event. Jaison, a Korean designer who opened his own showroom in Paris in 2005, expressed excitement at having the opportunity to showcase his designs in Korea for the first time. In an interview with The Korea Times, Jaison said he had always dreamt of going to Paris and fulfilling his ambition of becoming a designer in the world's fashion capital. ``I am inspired by Paris, the music and its people. I think Paris is a romantic and fantastic city. … Paris is the fashion capital of the world, and there you can meet buyers not just from France but buyers from all over the world,'' he said. Jaison graduated with a degree in textile arts from Kyung Won University in 2000, and then from the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale in 2003. He worked as a stylist for Paco Rabanne, Eric Bergere, and as a couture designer for Fredric Alzra and Diamont Blanc. Since launching his brand in 2005, Jaison has already shown his collection in Paris, Moscow and Dubai to much acclaim. His romantic, extravagant designs are available in boutiques in Moscow, London and the Middle East, but Jaison is still looking to introduce his brand in Korea. ``If people here like my brand, I would love to bring it here,'' Jaison said. In an interview with The Korea Times, Guillarme said he was excited to have been invited to Busan, which he described as a ``lovely city'' with a charm similar to Cape Town in South Africa. The 28-year old French designer said he mixed both Italian and Parisian style for his dramatic collection filled with ultra-glamorous and seductive gowns. Guillarme said his 2008 spring and summer collection was the first time he had decided to go all out with his creative vision. ``I wanted to create something very different that you cannot see on another person. … I've decided not to make any compromises. I'm only making very strong, dramatic pieces with my sexy style. My most successful pieces are not commercial, but the one-of-a-kind designs. This is what people are expecting from me, and I'm glad to do this,'' he said. While this is his first time in Korea, Guillarme admitted he became a big fan of renowned hanbok designer Lee Young-hee after seeing her fashion show in Paris. Guillarme would like to enter the Korean market, saying he is willing to make appropriate design changes to cater to the customers. In Asia, his clothes are presently available in multi-brand shops in Japan and the Philippines. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

linkin park rocks

Linkin Park Rocks Fans in Seoul

Linkin Park performed before a packed crowd at the Olympic Gymnastics Stadium, southern Seoul Friday evening. By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter American rock group Linkin Park may have been late for their concert in Seoul, Friday evening, but that didn't stop thousands of fans from screaming and jumping throughout the hour and a half show. The ticket indicated the Linkin Park concert would start at 8 p.m., but only Korean duo Dynamic Duo hit the stage at 8:15 p.m. Drunken Tiger also came out to perform and did a good job of pumping up the crowd's energy However, fans were left to wait for Linkin Park to appear on stage, causing many to complain and even boo. When Linkin Park finally appeared at 9:30 p.m., the crowd immediately roared with excitement as the group sang ``One Step Closer. This was followed by equally exciting performances of ``Lying from You,'' and ``Somewhere I Belong.'' Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington impressed everyone with his vocal range, doing well on both hard rock and slow numbers. Korean fans cheered whenever the cameras focused on group's turntablist Joe Hahn, who is of Korean descent. Mike Shinoda, emcee and vocalist, said he liked how the crowd sang along to the songs they were performing, describing it as ``loud and proud.'' Throughout the concert, Linkin Park performed memorable hit songs such as ``Papercut,'' ``Crawling,'' ``Numb,'' ``In the End'' and ``Points of Authority.'' The group's energy didn't seem to wane. Linkin Park also introduced several new songs from their latest album ``Minutes to Midnight,'' such as ``What I've Done'' and ``Bleed It Out.'' Linkin Park even asked the crowd to sing ``Happy Birthday'' for lead guitarist Brad Delson, who was celebrating his birthday on Saturday. The concert ended with `Faint'' that had the crowd screaming for more. It was four years since Linkin Park's first concert in Seoul in 2003, but fans still can't get enough of this group. At the concert merchandise booths, fans were given a chance to purchase blank CDs and a special code that would allow them to download the Seoul concert. Linkin Park wrapped up their Projekt Revolution 2007 world tour, which brought them to Europe, Shanghai, Tokyo, Osaka and Bangkok. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

luxe

Books Look Into Asian Luxury Industry

Chinese shoppers walk past a Prada billboard outside a shop in Beijing, 19 June 2007. China is expected to be the world's largest luxury market in the next few years. / Yonhap By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter For anyone obsessed with luxury brands, ``Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster'' and ``The Cult of the Luxury Brand: Inside Asia's Love Affair with Luxury'' are must-reads. In ``Deluxe,'' Newsweek fashion writer Dana Thomas takes the reader on a trip down the ``dark side of the luxury industry to uncover secrets that Gucci, Prada and Burberry don't want us to know.'' What are some of the secrets she spills? Thomas reveals that many luxury handbags are mass-produced in China. The average markup for a luxury handbag is ten to 12 times production cost, and Thomas says Louis Vuitton's markup is up to 13 times production cost. ``Luxury is a necessity that begins where necessity ends,'' Coco Chanel once said. While luxury may have once been for the elite who can afford elaborate couture gowns, luxury is now for the masses. Throughout the book, Thomas laments the ``democratization of luxury.'' She notes how family-owned companies that used to create exquisite bags, shoes and clothes, have been taken over by multi-billion dollar conglomerates, which want nothing more than profits. ``The luxury industry has… become part of our social fabric. To achieve this, it has sacrificed its integrity, undermined its products, tarnished its history and hoodwinked its consumers. In order to make luxury `accessible,' tycoons have stripped away all that has made it special. Luxury has lost its luster,'' she writes. Consumers have fallen prey to the trap of buying ``luxury goods" with easily recognizable logos to enhance their status and ``buy into the dream." Thomas calls Louis Vuitton the greatest example of ``democratic luxury." ``It's big, it's broad reaching and it sells widely expensive stuff that nobody really needs,'' she said. In demonstrating how luxury brands have gone global, Thomas discusses the luxury market in Japan, where 40 percent of all Japanese own a Vuitton item. The Japanese luxury market is quite powerful, as the Japanese people's tastes influence the companies' products, designs and strategy Thomas also traveled to a factory in China, where she saw Chinese girls make luxury handbags, using Italian craftsmanship techniques. Production in China is not as cheap as one might think, and the quality is still good. However, she reveals some ``tricks'' used by luxury brands of removing the Made in China label and replacing it with a Made in Italy one. But don't think ``true luxury'' is dead, Deluxe satisfies readers' curiosity about how the famed Hermes Kelly and Birkin bags are painstakingly made in workshops in France; and how the classic perfume Chanel No.5 is created using the finest ingredients. She also cites ``luxury refugees,'' or designers who are disillusioned with the compromises and greed of the luxury corporate world, and have started independent businesses ``to create the best that money can buy.'' Among the luxury refugees are former Gucci designer Tom Ford, and French shoe designer Christian Louboutin. By the end of the book, Thomas still ponders on the future of the luxury industry, which she feels has lost its soul. ``Was there enough integrity or value left in these brands to allow them to continue to call themselves 'luxury','' she asked. Thomas writes in an easy-to-read style that won't bore readers. Anyone interested in luxury brands and fashion will find ``Deluxe'' a delight. If you always wondered why Asians are so crazy over luxury goods, you can check out ``The Cult of the Luxury Brand'' (``Luxeplosion'' is the Korean title), which attempts to shed light on Asia's ``luxeplosion.'' Authors Radha Chadha and Paul Husband delve into the psychology of Asian consumers, and why they have succumbed to the lure of Louis Vuitton and Gucci. In a telephone interview with The Korea Times, Chadha said she became fascinated with Asians' love for these goods when she moved to Hong Kong ten years ago. ``Luxury brands are used everywhere in the world. But Asians are much more passionate about it. Asia is now the biggest market for luxury brands, which is strange because the U.S. and Europe are wealthier,'' she noted. The book provides new insights into the luxury markets in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, South Korea and other Asian countries. It is interesting to find out what drives Asian consumers, from high school students to the wives of tycoons, to gobble up luxury goods. While consumers in different markets have distinctive tastes, they are all part of the ``cult'' of luxury goods addicts. Louis Vuitton is the best example of how to succeed as a luxury brand in Asia. ``Vuitton knows how to create exclusivity at the top, while simultaneously delivering luxury to the population at large. Pamper the elite, delight the office lady _ elitism and democracy in the same breath, managed harmoniously,'' they said. The book's chapter on South Korea examines Koreans' opposing views on luxury consumption, noting the ``tension between the reality of growing prosperity and the prescription of frugality can never be reasonably resolved.'' The Koreans' national obsession with beauty, credit card spending and an innate competitive streak are cited as the forces behind the growth of the luxury culture in Korea. Koreans' penchant for fake items is also mentioned, along with Itaewon and Dongdaemun as places where to find these high-quality reproductions of luxury brand handbags. Chadha and Husband noted South Korea is ``a case study of how swiftly the cult of the luxury brand can establish itself in an emerging Asian country.'' The book also offers a ``Luxeplosion model,'' which the authors say is a tried-and-tested formula used by luxury brands to create a cult in Asia. Using high profile celebrities, influential media and VIP customers to create a buzz for the brand is one of the key elements. After the buzz starts, the brand becomes the talk of the town. Soon, the masses will flock to the stores to buy the hottest items. ``Luxury brands have become a cult when people act on the buzz, when they pull out their wallets and buy the stuff. When you see large numbers of people carrying Murakami bags. When Gucci watches start ticking on wrists. … Your brand and the looks you promote are adopted by the masses. It's the culmination of the process, the sale consummated, the cult created,'' they said. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

blu-girl

Molinari Shows Spring, Summer Collection

Models walk the runway wearing Italian brand Blumarine's edgy but romantic gowns during LG Fashion's Blumarine spring and summer fashion show at the Shilla Hotel, Seoul, Monday evening. Italian designer Anna Molinari, designer of Blumarine and Blugirl brands, attended the fashion show. This was Molinari's second visit to Seoul. She last visited Seoul in 2000 for another fashion show. / Yonhap By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Italian designer Anna Molinari presented the 2008 spring and summer collection for Blumarine and Blugirl at the Shilla Hotel, Seoul, Monday evening. Blumarine's collection featured sexy halter gowns, jeweled tunic tops and khaki hot pants. On the other hand, Blugirl, a ready-to-wear line for girls and young women, featured soft, romantic looks with a 1950's twist. The fashion show started with the Blugirl collection. With the neon image of an American diner in the background, models walked the catwalk wearing 1950's inspired pieces. Flirty and feminine could best describe the summer dresses, which featured tight tube bodices with full skirts. Dresses came in soft floral prints in violet, pink and aquamarine; black and white checks; or animal prints. Adorable dresses in tiny polka dot prints with ruffled, layered skirts. You can almost imagine a young Audrey Hepburn wearing the slim Capri pants and black and white checkered button-up tops. There were also a handful of glamorous belted swimsuits, perfect for lounging poolside at a hip Hollywood hotel. On the other hand, Blumarine's collection is designed for jetsetters vacationing in Saint-Tropez. Models showed off bright colored cropped jackets, tailored hot pants and slinky long gowns in vibrant prints. Tunic tops and dresses came in fresh prints mixing green and pink; and orange and blue. Blumarine's cashmere and chenille track pants had a sporty but sophisticated feel, with embellished stripes down the sides. A pink animal print cropped jacket was paired with a body fitting mini-dress. Blumarine's edgy romantic style was evident in the deep V-necked gowns and high slits. At the end of the show, a model appeared wearing a stunning turquoise gown with hot pants. Molinari made a brief appearance at the end of the fashion show, receiving a round of applause from the appreciative crowd, which included celebrities such as Kim Jung-eun, Park Si-yeon, Ock Ju-hyun and Um Ji-won. Molinari last visited Seoul in 2000, when she presented her 2001 spring and summer collection. Molinari had originally presented her spring and summer collection in Milan last September. Blumarine is a fashion brand created by Molinari and her husband Gianpolo Tarabini. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

ape with pipe

Ape With Pipe Brings Mediterranean Flair

From left are hummus with pita bread; salmon and brie quiche; and Tzatzaki chicken sandwich. / Korea Times Photo by Kwon Mee-yoo By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter With a name like Ape with Pipe, who wouldn't be intrigued by this Mediterranean bistro? Ape with Pipe, located near Noksapyeong Station (Line 6), may not be located on Itaewon's main street but it certainly is worth a visit. The menu offers several kinds of quiche, sandwiches, French-style potpies, salads and mussel dishes. For appetizer, we chose hummus with pita bread, which turned out to be slightly disappointing. The pita bread wasn't warm enough, and the hummus didn't have much flavor. Things got more promising when the pumpkin soup arrived. The pumpkin soup was thick and creamy, but not too cloying or sweet like those found in other places. The potato soup was also light and filling. But of course, the highlight of the meal would have to be the salmon and Brie quiche (12,000 won). The cheese melts in your mouth, blending perfectly with the smoked salmon. The quiche was served with a fresh green salad, but there was not enough dressing on it. The Tzatziki chicken sandwich (12,000 won) was also a good choice. The yogurt dressing was a perfect complement to the grilled chicken. We wanted to try the tempting desserts, such as chocolate mousse (5,000 won) and chocolate volcano cake (7,000 won), but were too full. Next time, we promise to try the tourtes or French style potpies, mussels Provencal and different kinds of quiche. The restaurant is vegetarian friendly as the menu indicates which dishes are vegetarian. It also has a good wine list, so you can chill out at Ape with Pipe during the evening. A cozy atmosphere permeates the place, with lots of warm sunshine through the huge glass windows on the terrace. This would be a good place to have a brunch on a lazy Sunday morning. Don't worry about the cold weather on the terrace, as the windows are only slightly opened and blankets are available. About the restaurant's quirky name, we were told it is a combination of the titles of two Picasso paintings, ``Boy with Pipe'' and ``Harlequin and Family with Ape.'' It doesn't really mean anything, but it does add an element of fun to the restaurant's reputation. Ape with Pipe is located on the hill overlooking Noksapyeong Station. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., but the kitchen closes at 11 p.m. Lunch and brunch specials are served between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Call (02) 749-0903. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr