A Finger Heart to Korean Fashion Influencers

Notorious for modern streetwear that was distinct and forward-thinking yet affordable, it seems like an emerging sub-category in Korean streetwear styling is slowly creeping up in the west. Long gone are the days of wearing OFF WHITE tactical belts and Yeezy Boosts with track pants tucked into Vetements socks as the most prominent looks coming from Korea are a lot more diverse and “streetwear avant-garde.” Upper body proportions remain oversized like before but trousers and jeans are now baggier than ever, puddling over shoes or even being tucked into chunky boots. Here are 5 Korean instagrammers making the most noise in the west. 

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1. @gizmothegoatt 

Known for his YouTube vlogs and his booming brand CMMAWEAR, Gizmo’s personal style is what started it all. Following the trending Korean styling trope with a utilitarian and western twist, his outfits have garnered quite the cult following. With his affinity for Kiko Kostadinov, he uses the early silhouettes of the Bulgarian designer’s trousers as the foundation of many outfits, immaculately cut to fall perfectly on the shoe with splashes of technicality and a flattering, flared leg opening. As of recent, his love for Balenciaga has become more apparent than ever. Heavily seen putting together ensembles with the Spanish brand’s new Space shoes and Bat Rectangle sunglasses, he even features both pieces in the new lookbook for his own label’s upcoming collection. Beyond that, he balances his futuristic looks with coveted archive pieces from Issey Miyake and Raf Simons which results in neck-breaking outfits that get him reposted all over the world. 

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2. @nihken 

A friend of Gizmo’s, Nihken is the king of all things Demna. His wardrobe primarily consists of Vetements and Balenciaga from the periods where the Georgian designer was at the helm but unlike other Demna fans, Nihken’s styling of his pieces are distinct and personal. He has a wide range of styles that he toys around with by fusing different genres of fashion subcultures and isn’t scared of playing with proportions either, being able to go extremely baggy or form-fitting with his ensembles. He is the epitome of “don’t let the clothes wear you,” a difficult feat when trying to piece together Demna’s flamboyant and over-the-top silhouettes which, to many, can often be overwhelming. Like Gizmo, he is also a big promoter of Balenciaga’s Space shoes which he has been seen wearing recently but his standout piece has to be the Chavelier Derbies, a runway sample that never saw mass production and is fetching upwards of 7,000 GBP online. 

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3. @nooneclosed__ 

Hyeongseok is the true owner of oversized chic. Founder of GRAILZ OFFICIAL, a streetwear label from Seoul, he is always wearing, what seems like, the biggest available size for every garment yet still manages to make it look put together and effortless. Like the last two picks, Hyeongseok is also seen in a lot of Balenciaga, particularly the Crocs Boots which he wears in a Kanye-esque manner, tucking his trousers into the high shaft of the boot for a “streetwear cowboy” look. Besides the heavy inclusion of Balenciaga’s Defender sneakers and Distressed Baggy Jeans, his trademark is the creative ways he hides his face. Whether it be with a hood that has a full length zipper, layering a headscarf over his head or just simply wearing a cap with a face mask, he emphasises with his imagery that the attention should be on his outfit more than his personal aesthetics. 

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4. @jcchurro 

JC is definitely the CEO of cargo pants. Almost always seen with some sort of trouser with side pocket detailing, most likely from his own label ffffpostalservice, his signature look can be categorised as militant grunge that resembles the perfect depiction of a modern, fashion soldier. His go-to brands, except for his own, are Daniel Lee era Bottega Veneta, Rick Owens and archive Raf Simmons, preferring to go for a more of an oversized yet cropped cut for his tops to elongate his legs with his flared cargos. You will rarely see him without a dad cap of some sort either, a trademark to him along with his squared sunglasses and a flashy pose that oozes confidence in a quirky and nerdy manner. 

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5. @yujun_1221 

Last but not least, we have Yujun who can be described as Korea’s take on Kanye West’s style. Very much inspired by Yeezy himself, he wears almost everything the American rapper has been seen rocking in the past year such as the YZY x GAP Round Jacket, Balenciaga Croc Boots and even the Apple Airpods Max. However, what sets Yujun apart from just being a massive Kanye stan is how he adds his own punk aesthetic through various types of biker and motorcycle jackets which are slim fitting, creating an ensemble that compliments his slender build and gives it that rough edge that even Kanye himself couldn’t pull off. His bottoms, like many others in this list, derive from the techwear genre with cargo pockets and sealed zippers which creates depth and a beautiful contrast with the grunge aesthetic that comes from Kanye and Yujun’s style. 

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Korean fashion may still be obsessed with brands like Balenciaga from the hypebeast, flex era in 2015-18 but the pieces that they gravitate to are much different. It’s no longer about obnoxious logomania and loud graphics but more about silhouette and shape that these high-end designers are offering. Yet, it can be argued that the element of “flexing” is still there, just not as blatantly through a logo but rather with a much more subtle approach: a distinct design language.