22 March 2015
Much fashion
Dongdaemun during Seoul fashion week
Note, I said Much fashion, I am true to my word, or in this case, lack of phrase, from page 1.
It is the middle of Seoul fashion week, and as everyone knows, I am Mr Fashion. You need only take a short gander at me to understand the true influence I have in setting global trends.
Therefore, I was specially invited to attend the Seoul fashion week, with all of Koreas top weird freaks masquerading as celebrities, and what I assume were European celebrities too.
I briefly thought I saw Mugatu, but no. I didnt recognise anyone. There were lots of people posing for photographers, and there were western papparazzi there, proper ones with full on beards, chain smoking.
The event takes place in whats known as the Dongdaemun design plaza, which was only just starting construction last time I was here.
The building was designed by Zaha Hadid, and architecture fans like myself would know she is one of the worlds leading architects, and an Iraqi.
She is currently facing controversey over her work with the government of Qatar, in designing the world cup stadium, which has apparently killed thousands of migrant workers in its construction.
Her design for the Dongdaemun design plaza is one of a series of spirals, where you are never sure what floor you are on, inside or outside, and then you end up on the roof.
This does a fantastic job of amplifying the wind, and it was starting to blow hard. All of Seouls fashionistas were struggling to maintain control of their scarves and pantaloons. The women were having issues too.
It then became seriously cold, very suddenly. When I left it was 9 degrees, so I went with coat and tshirt. But then it was minus 4. And the running whilst screaming resumed. Some of the locals did it too.
I love to get a head start on whats coming this season. My fluoro yellow running shoes are just peaking now, I have had them 6 months already.
Seriously, they need a wind turbine here.
They light the whole thing up at night. Its not quite night here. Then I didnt take a night photo despite walking past again.
These houses lit up by the last rays of the dying sun on the hill looked interesting. Golden hour.
In addition to fashion week, this place has numerous art and design galleries. You can walk around the building at night on a Sunday, the interior is sparse and too hot to remain inside for any length of time. I think it was 30C in there.
Outside we have Korean optimus prime, made exclusively of Hyundais.
And if you keep walking, you end up on the roof, on the grass.
Its a walk off. Actually a warm up. Not sure who the label is, but the music they were using sounded like the end of the world. Apocolypse chic (pronounced SHEEK) is so hot right now.
Over the road is a neon jungle, all stores featuring fashion but restaurants behind it. The place has really gone upmarket since I was last here due to the new design plaza.
However, they have maintained the stages for people to put on their shows. I think its unscheduled busking, and features singing, but mainly dancing. Like these 3 boys, who have made a nice dance they enjoy doing.
The huge chilling wind and freeze determined my dinner. Omurice again. The place pretends to be Coco curry, but its so much better. When I walked past I had no intention of having omurice, but then I saw on their sign that they let you choose the level of chilli, and the scale goes to 11.
I got 11. It was actually quite good. Got a good nose run happening.