The ‘Milan Loves Seoul’ event, held from February 28 to March 3, 2025, at Palazzo Bovara in Milan, marked a new chapter in cultural exchange between Italy and South Korea. This prestigious event transcended the boundaries of fashion, offering an immersive platform for collaboration and dialogue that celebrated the blending of Milan’s rich fashion heritage with Seoul’s bold and innovative designs. A stunning showcase of creativity, ‘Milan Loves Seoul’ spotlighted high fashion and highlighted the power of design to bring together different cultures in a celebration of artistic expression and global unity between Seoul and Milan.
The exclusive fashion show, which took place on March 3, 2025, was the event’s highlight, featuring four distinguished brands: Nuria, Riu&Viu, Okiio Lounge, and Tripleroot. Each collection presented a unique perspective on the fusion of heritage and contemporary aesthetics, capturing the essence of both Milan and Seoul’s creative spirit.
NURIA – “A Journey with” Collection
NURIA opened the show with an elegant display of modern couture infused with classical refinement. The brand’s FW25 collection, inspired by the designer’s journey, was a tribute to the quiet beauty of self-expression. NURIA’s creations were deeply introspective, with each piece reflecting the designer’s love for intricate details and timeless craftsmanship. The collection celebrated the elegance and poise of the modern woman while staying true to traditional culture values. Luxurious grosgrain ribbons, shimmering lurex fabrics, and meticulously crafted buttons added an air of sophistication, creating a sense of delicate beauty. The collection was a subtle homage to the designer’s inner world—where elegance, grace, and femininity come together in a harmonious dialogue.
RIU&VIU – “Tracing Shadow” Collection
Next, on the runway, RIU&VIU presented a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Hanbok. The FW25 collection was a captivating fusion of historical Korean clothing and contemporary tailoring, drawing inspiration from the delicate paintings of Shin Yun-bok. The collection emphasised form over ornamentation, with clean lines and dramatic volumes capturing the essence of Korean heritage. Monochromatic tones allowed the architectural shapes and flowing silhouettes to take centre stage, creating a visual narrative highlighting the interplay between tradition and modernity. The structured jackets and elegant skirts offered versatile styling options, beautifully marrying the past with the present. Sustainability played a key role in this collection, with responsibly sourced fabrics reinforcing the brand’s commitment to innovation and environmental consciousness. RIU&VIU’s “Tracing Shadow” collection was a powerful statement on the relevance of tradition in contemporary fashion.
OKIIO LOUNGE – “Family Brunch” Collection
OKIIO LOUNGE took the audience on a journey into the familiar, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a family brunch. Inspired by the mundane beauty of everyday objects—soft cushions, the rug on the living room floor, and scarves casually draped over furniture—the FW25 collection explored the intersection of comfort and formality. The composed and relaxed silhouettes conveyed a sense of free-spirited elegance. Each piece exuded a quiet sophistication while also embracing a sense of disarray and ease. The collection embodied the balance between warmth and formality, comfort, and structure, offering a fresh and modern take on casual luxury. OKIIO LOUNGE’s designs showed how fashion can elevate the everyday, transforming familiar concepts into sophisticated style statements.
TRIPLEROOT – “Harmony; Retro and Modern in Romantic Classic” Collection
The final collection, by TRIPLEROOT, closed the show with a beautiful blend of nostalgia and modern elegance. Titled “Harmony,” the FW25 collection unfolded like a flower in full bloom, evoking a sense of timeless romance—the designs effortlessly combined retro influences with contemporary chic, showcasing the brand’s signature high-end tailoring. Through a delicate balance of traditional Korean craftsmanship and modern sensibilities, TRIPLEROOT’s collection redefined Korean beauty in a global context. Each piece was a masterclass in tailoring, blending delicate romanticism with sharp, contemporary edges. The collection celebrated cultural heritage, reimagined with a modern touch that resonated with a global audience.
The ‘Milan Loves Seoul’ fashion show was a breath-taking celebration of cultural exchange, creativity, and the art of collaboration. It highlighted the rich, diverse influences that Milan and Seoul bring to the fashion world, emphasising the beauty of blending heritage with innovation. From Nuria’s delicate, introspective designs to RIU&VIU’s bold reinterpretation of Hanbok, each collection offered a unique perspective on tradition and modernity.
‘Milan Loves Seoul’ proved that fashion is more than just clothing. It is a language that connects cultures, challenges boundaries, and creates spaces for innovation and dialogue. The event exemplified the power of design to bridge divides, and in doing so, it showcased the limitless potential for collaboration in the global fashion scene.