PARIS, Sep 30, 2007/ FW/ --- Continuing his foray into futuristic looks, Korean-born designer Lie Sang Bong looked into his heritage for inspiration and used the ancient art of lantern making to create architectural silhouettes that are engaging and eye catching.

With the catwalk decorated with giant lantern balls crafted in tulle, and the first model dressed in a gown wherein both the bodice and the skirt were created with half-circular tulle gathered together around the body, the futuristic message was clearly communicated to the audience.

Of course, the outfit is entirely unwearable, unless you are going to a costume ball, but wearability is not the point here. The message is by using traditional craftsmanship, the designers of today can create new silhouettes, fashion’s holy grail right now as we go deeper into the 21st century.

What followed was more wearable clothing, like the yellow mini shift dress done in layers of tulle that underwent the DTP Link Solution.

As the press notes said, Lie Sang Bong collaborated with Yuban-Kimberly DTP Link Solution, a method for digital textile printing in order to create unique designs. For this collection, the UJET-MC2 printer was used to make possible direct printing on delicate and luxurious textiles.

With this collaboration, Lie Sang Bong demonstrated that he is listening to the fashionista set. Today’s fashion market is very volatile and discerning in the sense that most women want to wear a ‘unique’ dress.

A ‘unique’ dress usually only exists in haute couture. With the birth of demi-couture, the need by women for luxurious dressing was partially answered by not paying the lofty price tag of haute couture.

Still, women want more, i.e., they are willing to pay the price of demi-couture, but want uniqueness, faster turn around and most of all, they do not want to be seen wearing the same outfit over and over again.

The answer was obvious – a more affordable luxury dressing that utilizes traditional artistry with the help of computers to speed up production time. Lie Sang Bong is answering that need with his collaboration with DTP Link wherein prints can be created in small numbers in a fast turnover then constructing the clothes using traditional craftsmanship for fit, comfort and highlight the best features of the wearer.

This might sound quixotic to many and truth be told, this is another holy grail in fashion design. Still, designer Lie Sang Bong should be commended for his search for the perfect solution. After all, isn’t striving for perfection part of the future?

Lie Sang Bong

Lie Sang Bong

Lie Sang Bong

Lie Sang Bong