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5 Ultra Cool Fashion Stores Worth A Visit In Seoul

Add these stops to your Seoul itinerary for streetwear staples, unisex fits and under-the-radar K-fashion finds.

Main Image: Worksout

Who’d have thought that the Hallyu wave would still be going strong more than a decade after it first exploded in popularity? Fuelled by the advent of digital platforms such as Youtube and Instagram, there has been a continual demand for its well-packaged exports: Slick K-pop tunes are hogging the airwaves around the world (with boyband BTS leading the charge), while Korean dramas and arthouse flicks continue to enjoy rave reviews from viewers.

 The bustling metropolitan city of Seoul has also become a red-hot holiday destination too, thanks to its magnetic energy and old-meets-new dynamism. Besides the colourful storefronts peddling all the latest Korean beauty products, Seoul’s burgeoning fashion scene is also one to keep tabs on, what with Goliathan luxury flagships existing alongside small and independent boutiques. Here are five of the coolest fashion joints the city has to offer:


Image: Gerald Tan   Minutes away by foot from Apgujeong Rodeo subway station, 1LDK is a must-visit for fans who swear by the designs of Studio Nicholson, a London-based label known for its quiet elegance and understated air of sophistication. The brainchild of English designer Nick Wakeman, Studio Nicholson’s unisex pieces are undoubtedly the stars at 1LDK, sitting on racks together with products from under-the-radar labels such as MMA, Rotol and Universal Products.   Address: 5, Seolleung-Ro 162-Gil, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, South Korea   Official Instagram: @1ldk_seoul   1LDK
Image: Instagram (missjane_blog)   No guide to Seoul is complete without a mention of Aland, a fashion retailer that takes its peculiar moniker from an autonomous archipelago state in Finland. That’s where the association ends—Aland is as Korean as it gets, boasting an inventory comprised mostly of Korean brands. And even though the retailer has set up outposts in cities such as Hong Kong and New York, its growing network of stores in Seoul continue to draw in the crowds. Stop by Aland’s glass-encased four-storey flagship in Hongdae, an area renowned for its vibrant mix of shopping, food and nightlife options catered to Seoul’s collegiate population, for beauty and fashion finds that will not break the bank.   Address: 29 Yanghwa-ro 16-gil, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea   Official Instagram: @aland_store  ALAND
Image: Instagram (@ppp30aa) DUFFEL CENTRE
Image: Instagram (@clover0088)   An afternoon spent at the Duffel Centre is guaranteed to be an experience unlike any other—this three-storey establishment is a boutique, cafe and restaurant all rolled into one. Besides stocking a repertoire of wardrobe essentials with a utilitarian influence, Duffel Centre’s other talking point is its interior: From the wooden panelled walls to the fluorescent lights that recall the buzz of corporate offices in the ’60s, every corner of the store has been carefully calibrated for that perfect Instagram shot.   Address: 390-3 Jangan-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea   Official Instagram: @duffel_centre SUPY
Image: Gerald Tan   Seongsu-dong, a district that lies east of Seoul’s old city centre, has seen its popularity surge in recent years. Once an industrial area home to local shoemakers and factories, it now boasts a variety of design studios, restaurants and cafes. Joining the fray is Supy, a hip boutique whose wares include covetable knick knacks, streetwear staples and everything else in between.   Address: 71 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea   Official Instagram: @supy_official  WORKSOUT
Image: Worksout   If you’re on the hunt for some really cool finds from emerging or underground streetwear labels, then make a beeline for Worksout. Its impressive steel facade is a fitting indication of the production selection inside the store, which range from bold leopard print jackets to the freshest and brightest kicks. The centrepiece of Worksout is a grand wooden staircase—besides letting you traverse all three floors with ease, it’s a clever focal point that draws your attention to all the latest buys.   Address: 20-4, Seolleung-ro 157-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea   Official Instagram: @worksout_official  WORKSOUT
Image: Worksout