Last week marked a significant milestone for Kyndof as we hosted the second edition of the Fashion Design Contest & Award in Seoul. This exciting competition brought together talented young fashion design students from universities across the city, providing an opportunity for aspiring designers to showcase their creativity.
The event challenged participants to elevate their designs under tight deadlines while paying close attention to detail. The competition not only fostered creativity but also offered valuable exposure to the next generation of fashion designers in Korea.
Over 60 aspiring fashion design students participated in the preliminary round and were asked to create and showcase a mood board inspired by 2000Archives past collections. From this initial round, 10 talented students were selected to advance to the final stage of the competition. This contest provided a unique experience for emerging designers to display their creativity and connect with professionals in the fashion industry.
Organizing a fashion design contest for university students involved numerous preparations and steps to achieve a successful outcome. Shari, an international intern at Kyndof, was responsible for overseeing this event as part of her project. Her first task was to reach out to the key contacts at the university to ensure seamless collaboration. Additionally, Shari took charge of organizing a webinar to provide students with valuable insights and information about the contest, helping to spark excitement and increase participation.
Shari also developed a streamlined email communication strategy to keep both contestants and judges informed about important dates, reminders, and key details, ensuring smooth coordination throughout the event. Although Shari wasn’t from Korea, she effectively facilitated seamless communication between the university, the company, and the students, making sure everyone stayed on the same page and no important information was overlooked.
“There was a lot of things to get done as well as tricky details that were needed to be taken care of. But, after a lot of planning and putting things into a strict schedule, it was nice that every piece of the puzzle fits into its own place.” Shari, Intern at Kyndof.
Shari worked diligently behind the scenes to bring the Kyndof fashion design contest to life from the ground up. Her meticulous attention to detail played a key role in creating an unforgettable experience for all the talented students who participated in the event.
On the day of the contest, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and nerves, as many participants were experiencing their first competition of this scale. To help ease their anxieties, we kicked off the day with a tour of our offices, offering them a sneak peek into the creative workspace. It was a great way to show them the environment where some might have the chance to intern in the near future, giving them a sense of connection and inspiration before the competition began.
Cho Seungyeon, Lead Designer at 2000Archives, took charge of leading the tour, guiding the contestants through various workspaces, including the Kyndof offices where our staff members work. Before arriving at the competition venue, the contestants had the chance to explore the thriving Dongdaemun market, a vibrant hotspot offering everything from buttons and fabrics to essential tools like needles and threads.
The contestants were then brought to the 2000Archives headquarters, the venue where the competition was held .The competition’s theme was Sporty Couture, with participants being evaluated based on three main criteria: creativity, precision, and communication skills.
They were given two sets of 45 minutes to design outfits that embodied the theme while also capturing the unique mood of 2000Archives. Creativity was showcased in many different ways; including drawing, painting, and graphic design, allowing each student to express their individual vision and style.
“I was thrilled to get the chance to organize this type of event since everyone was very collaborative. It was good to realize that behind an exciting event such as this, there was a very cooperative & professional team. “ Shari, Intern at Kyndof
This event will be held regularly, offering young fashion design students the chance to grow as designers and receive hands-on feedback and advice from professionals in the fashion industry. Our goal is to help shape the future of fashion in Korea by providing more opportunities for students to develop their skills and evolve at a professional level.
