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In the bustling urban landscape of Seoul, where tradition and innovation coalesce in a vibrant tapestry, Paloma Wool has chosen to weave its artistic narrative. This marks not just a pop-up event but a creative voyage—a fusion of fashion and design that takes center stage in the heart of South Korea’s bustling capital.
But what makes this pop-up truly exceptional is the seamless marriage of fashion and design, a collaborative effort with the renowned design duo, Kuo Duo, who have crafted a space that is nothing short of a work of art.
The Design Odyssey
Kuo Duo, a creative duo comprised of Hwachan and Yoomin, embarked on a design odyssey inspired by their international upbringing and their shared passion for objects, furniture, and architecture. Their journey led them to university, where they studied industrial design, and from there, they ventured into different design studios around the world.
Through these experiences, they cultivated a deep appreciation for the diversity of lifestyles and cultures, ultimately driving them to establish their own design studio specializing in three-dimensional design.
Kuo Duo’s background and journey laid the foundation for their unique approach to design, emphasizing the harmony between innovative material use and production techniques, functionality, and simplicity. Their works are a testament to their love for experimentation and their unwavering commitment to crafting long-lasting products.
Material Matters
For Paloma Wool’s Seoul pop-up, Kuo Duo faced the challenge of creating a space that epitomized the brand’s concept of pure and honest material use. Their choice of primary material, Tyvek fabric, was inspired by the need for a calm and pure ambiance that would highlight the brand’s clothing and artwork. Tyvek, with its white colour and paper-like texture, introduced an ethereal quality to the space, gently diffusing light and casting a poetic aura.
The Tyvek fabric wasn’t confined to traditional applications; it ventured into the realm of furniture, including window screens, checkout desks, sofas, and changing rooms. The audacious choice of using Tyvek for changing rooms, a less conventional approach, proved to be a fresh and captivating design element. Its subtle transparency when exposed to light created a magical ambiance, illuminating the background and, in turn, the garments themselves.
A Creative Thread Unveiled
The design concept for this installation revolved around conveying the brand’s philosophy to the Korean audience. Kuo Duo crafted a space with neutral, white, and black elements, punctuated by wooden furniture for contrast.
The Tyvek fabric was chosen to evoke a sense of translucency and mistiness, reflecting the brand’s poetic and delicate aesthetics. Fitting rooms were enveloped in the white, paper-textured material, with the aim of accentuating Paloma Wool’s items as they were worn and photographed.
The practicality of a pop-up event was not lost on the designers, as they carefully designed every element to be easily assembled and dismantled within a simple system. This creative endeavour also led to the development of the PEEL WOOD furniture series, including a sofa featuring a pine wood frame and Tyvek fabric cushions.
The juxtaposition of bold design with Tyvek’s crumpled texture was a daring experiment that resonated with visitors who found comfort and satisfaction in the resulting design.
Dreams with a Shared Vision
As Kuo Duo continues to push the boundaries of design, their dream projects are a reflection of their hearts and their desire to collaborate with like-minded individuals. The Paloma Wool team, with their love for art and creativity, perfectly exemplifies the kind of partnerships that inspire Kuo Duo to keep creating, innovating, and dreaming.
All images in this article are courtesy of Paloma Wool and Kuo Duo.
