Woo Young-mi: South Korea’s Leading Menswear Designer Making Global Waves
Woo Young-mi is one of South Korea’s most influential fashion designers. She is internationally celebrated for redefining men’s fashion with elegance, structure, and subtle innovation. As the founder of the WOOYOUNGMI brand, she has become a global icon in luxury menswear, blending classic tailoring with avant-garde sensibilities.
Breaking Barriers in Korean Fashion
Born in 1959 in Seoul, Woo Young-mi entered a fashion world traditionally dominated by male designers. She studied at Hongik University and launched her first label SOLID HOMME in 1988, which quickly gained traction for its modern yet wearable menswear. In 2002, she founded her eponymous brand WOOYOUNGMI, becoming the first South Korean designer to enter the prestigious Paris Fashion Week menswear calendar.
Woo’s international breakthrough marked a new era for Korean fashion, positioning her as a bridge between Seoul’s creativity and Parisian high fashion.
Signature Style: Minimalism Meets Modern Architecture
WOOYOUNGMI is known for its clean lines, architectural silhouettes, and understated details. The brand merges artistic direction with technical precision, often drawing inspiration from contemporary art and urban architecture. While minimalist in tone, her garments evoke depth, confidence, and a quiet sophistication that appeals to a modern global audience.
A Global Luxury Brand with Korean Roots
Today, WOOYOUNGMI is stocked in leading luxury retailers around the world—including Selfridges, SSENSE, and Le Bon Marché. Woo Young-mi is also known for her collaborative creative direction with her daughter, Katie Chung, continuing a legacy of innovation and intergenerational design thinking.
Beyond aesthetics, Woo has also spoken out about gender roles in fashion and the challenges of running a luxury brand as an Asian woman in a Western-dominated industry.
Authentic Portraits of Woo Young-mi
I photographed Ms. Woo during an exclusive interview with The New York Times. Please contact me for licensing inquiries.