The 2026 Spring/Summer edition of Seoul Fashion Week began Monday along the stonewall path of Deoksu Palace in central Seoul, a departure from its longtime venue at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) from September 1-7, 2025. The shift to a historic setting drew celebrities, influencers, and city officials, underscoring the event's blend of tradition and modernity.
Despite a 30-minute rain delay, contemporary brand Andersson Bell delivered a full house for its runway show, which featured K-pop stars IVE's Gaeul, Hueningkai of Tomorrow X Together, and Ian and Jiwoo of girl group Hearts2Hearts among the attendees.
The event was also attended by the group Hearts2Hearts' Ian & Jiwoo, IVE's Fall, Tomorrow X Together's Hueningkai, Card's Jeon Ji-woo & J.sep, singers Hyorin, Lee Jin-hyuk, Holland, comedian Lee Eun-ji, and actors Lee Chun-hee and Jeon Hye-jin, Maeil Business Newspaper reports.
Andersson Bell's S/S 2026 collection, under the theme "Soft Clash," drew inspiration from Mark Rothko's color-field paintings and the "twisted attitudes" of 1990s icons PJ Harvey and Jarvis Cocker. The collection aimed to explore harmony between contrasting elements.
According to city officials, the purpose of the event was to "exhibit K-fashion, which combines youth, energy, technology and art, in a setting that showcases the colorful charms of Seoul."
Hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the biannual event marks its 25th anniversary this year. The S/S edition will run through Sunday, with shows and installations extending to cultural landmarks such as the Oil Tank Culture Park in western Seoul and Heungcheon Temple in central Seoul.
A total of 27 domestic designer brands will present their collections across venues, including DDP, the EQL flagship store in Seongsu-dong, and independent boutiques. From Thursday to Saturday, 74 brands will also participate in a trade exhibition at DDP, connecting with both domestic and international buyers.
The palace runway launch signals Seoul Fashion Week's efforts to expand its cultural footprint, pairing Korea's global fashion ambitions with the city's historic identity.
