Home to a number of style rule breakers and internationally-acclaimed trendsetters (G-Dragon, to name one), Seoul is saturated with experimental fashion. And the best part is, all you have to do for a front-row seat is hit the city’s streets.
Alas, we cannot all live in Seoul, so for those who are forced to watch from afar, we have found (and then sufficiently stalked) our five favorite (and perhaps lesser-known) street-style instagrammers, including photographers and influencers for your personal viewing pleasure. Added bonus: Begin planning next year’s wardrobe with their top trend forecasts for 2019.
Alex Finch
British photographer Alex Finch may be known for capturing Seoul Fashion Week since 2014 (spot his work in the pages of Vogue), however, he has been shooting street style for even longer. It was 6 years ago that he took to the streets to capture Seoul’s best-dressed, and it is still a passion of his. Not only will you spot the faces of well-known fashionistas such as Irene Kim, but Alex also features ordinary people and off-duty models on his Instagram.
Alex Finch in 3 words: Clean, casual, raw.
2019 Trend Forecast: Unfortunately, I expect it to be whatever Balenciaga releases. I like street style, but worry that single brands can drive it almost completely.
Cheri
Fashion blogger and influencer, Cheri stands out on the streets as much as on social media. Her styling career started in her mom’s closet, and now, with over 60 000 followers, her Instagram boasts a diverse collection of colorful and bold looks from sporty cool to soft and sweet. Her unique take on mixing patterns and materials makes her a serious trendsetter to watch.
Cheri in 3 words: Mix match styling.
2019 Trend Forecast: I expect to see more futurism and 90s hipsters walking on the streets.
Park Taemin
Model Park Taemin is the epitome of effortless cool. While his looks are not as ‘out-there’ as some, his refined style is right at home on the fashionably diverse streets of Seoul. Throughout his life, Taemin has enjoyed exploring different styles and clothing, so a career in fashion came naturally to him. We only hope that one day we’re able to pull off fire looks as casually as he does.
Park Taemin in 3 words: Skinny, wide, black.
2019 Trend Forecast: I hope to see more variety
Daniel Luna
After living next to Garosugil (Sinsa’s famous fashion road) for 4 years, Daniel Luna’s fascination with fashion was sufficiently piqued. “I’ve always been into design, but living there made me consider nuance in fashion on a deeper level,” he comments. However, it wasn’t until he moved to Hongdae that he started street style photography. Visit his Instagram for a curated lookbook of playful and forward-thinking Seoul fashion.
Daniel Luna in 3 words: Please follow me.
2019 Trend Forecast: For winter, I expect to see exaggerated and uniquely-designed down jackets as well as more evolution of
Bakgyul Park Gyuri
Park Gyuri has been interested in fashion most of her life, and began her career in fashion in high school, leading to her starting her own fashion blog when she was 20 years old. Now, she has over 50 000 fans on Instagram who follow for her sophisticated, slick, and stylish looks. Freedom is her aesthetic and she loves being able to show off her personal style without feeling repressed.
Park Gyuri in 3 words (almost): Romantic sick, unique, and feminine street.
2019 Trend Forecast: Leopard is very popular now, and this pattern is likely to continue being popular in 2019.
Honourable mention: Jay Lim
Although Jay Lim has already made a name for himself in fashion photography, no article about Seoul street style would be complete without him. Follow him for all the latest and greatest looks from Korean celebs and models, as well as any well-dressed passerby that happens to catch his eye.
If you enjoyed this article on street-style Instagrammers in Seoul, also check: 10 Of The Hottest Korean Female Model Instagrams and Top 10 Hottest Korean Male Model Instagrams You NEED To Follow!
Featured photo by Alex Finch