Written by Annabelle Aree Lee
Edited by Leah Champagne
Amongst the endless posts of Paris Fashion Week that flooded my Instagram explore page, a particular look from Miss Sohee’s couture show caught my attention. Notice the captivating depth in colour of where the fabric is ruffled or the traditional East Asian-inspired embroidery on the bottom of the dress. It’s so lavish! Extravagant. This got me wondering, who is Miss Sohee?
Sohee Park is a South Korean designer, better known by the name of her couture brand, Miss Sohee. Influenced by watching her grandmother sew traditional Korean embroideries, she attended Central Saint Martins, a highly selective art school in London, to study fashion. Upon graduation in 2020, she launched her womenswear label, distinguishable by the dramatic silhouettes and delicate attention to detail.
At just twenty-nine years old and only a few years into her professional career, Park boasts an impressive array of accomplishments. Her debut collection “The Girl in Full Bloom”, which captures the transition from girlhood to womanhood, was initially intended for a runway show but was instead shared on Instagram, due to the pandemic. Perhaps social media was the perfect avenue, as her work garnered immense attention. Miss Sohee has now become a favourite among celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, and Gemma Chan, who have been seen in editorial photoshoots and red-carpet events wearing pieces from the label.
I am in awe of Park’s remarkable success at such a young age—a rarity in the fashion industry. There is undoubtedly a sense of hesitation when fully committing to pursuing a career in fashion. It’s perceived as a challenging industry to break into and establish a stable career in, and rightfully so. Not too long ago, Park was just like many other hopeful fashion students. However, I’m not surprised by Park’s success because her work truly stands out from what is currently prevalent in the industry.
“I really wanted to use the traditional methods and also the colours [of embroidery],” Park articulates in a promotional video for #DGxMissSohee. I believe there are currently not many designers as committed as her to drawing from traditional clothing. Being Korean myself, I may be biased toward the obvious traditional Korean influences, but the level of intricacy in her dresses makes them exude a sense of classic luxury, contrasting with the fashion industry’s current trend towards more minimalistic, subdued designs. Park isn’t following the crowd; she’s innovating. I think that’s likely why she has received so much acclaim.
I strongly encourage taking the time to appreciate the beautiful designs by Park, many of which are showcased on Miss Sohee’s Instagram and website. Here are three of my absolute favourites I want to highlight.
Upon seeing this dress, I couldn’t help but envision my future wedding dress to look like this. This is the epitome of timelessness; the dress is a simple sheath silhouette, only bedazzled by hundreds of meticulously placed beads and crystals. The clusters of shine perfectly compliment the silvery hue of the fabric lining the bodice of the dress. I would love to see Miss Sohee come out with a collection dedicated to bridal wear.
When the light hits, there is an ethereal feel to the pearly petal-like structures. I noticed that green beads were used on the left side and silver beads were used on the right side of the headpiece, giving it dimension; I love the asymmetry. The green from the headpiece also ties with the colourful peacock-like feathers that is the dress. This is craftsmanship at its finest.
This emerald silk evening gown featured in Park’s recent couture show in Paris is a departure from many of her other pieces as it lacks any embroidery. I believe this showcases the versatility of Park’s skills as a designer, which is what drew me to it. I particularly admire the excessive use of fabric for the train, as described on her Instagram: “Each stitch whispers of elegance.” Given its relatively “simpler” design despite being couture, I predict that celebrities will be seen wearing this gown at upcoming events.
Park told Harper’s Bazaar in an interview that she hopes to have stores in London, Paris, and Seoul and dreams of developing Miss Soheee into a brand comparable to the prestigious big fashion houses in Paris. The scale of her aspirations attests to the trajectory of her career. I firmly believe that Miss Sohee represents the future of Haute Couture and I will be closely following Miss Sohee’s growth.
References
Leave a Reply