EENK unfurled its fifth collection shown in Paris, the Spring-Summer 2025 collection, "A for Aesthetics.” As fashion editors and purveyors gathered at SA15 in the 12th arrondissement on September 30th, there was a palpable sense of anticipation. This was, after all, EENK's triumphant return to 'A' – the beginning of a new creative odyssey.
Designer Hyemee Lee, having journeyed through the alphabet with her collections, now stands at the threshold of a fresh chapter. "A for Aesthetics" is both a homecoming and a departure, a celebration of EENK's heritage and a bold step into its future. The collection unfolds with great depth of Korean aesthetics, reimagined through a contemporary lens.
As models glided down the ivory-hued runway – a nod to the serene minimalism of Dansaekhwa Korean monochrome painting – the audience was transported into EENK's world of cultural fusion. A voluminous cream coat, its asymmetrical closure a study in modern elegance, billowed over a richly textured skirt. The juxtaposition of structure and fluidity, of past and present, set the tone for what was to come.
With ingenious plays on versatility, Lee presented a vision of adaptable luxury. A sensual white piece, overlaid with a diaphanous cream draped fabric that seemed to float around the model's form. This piece, reminiscent of Bojagi wrapping cloths, spoke to the collection's theme of transformation – a garment that shifts with the wearer's whim.
But it was not all whispered elegance. Lee also instrumented a joyous clash of blue stripes and pink plaids. A structured top layer in pink check cascaded over a crisp striped shirt and matching pink plaid trousers, embodying the brand's playful approach to pattern mixing. This look, bold and unapologetic, seemed to declare that tradition need not be timid.
The pinnacle of the show, however, was a gown that seemed to capture the essence of a dream. Strapless and flowing, it bore a print that looked as if an artist had spilled their watercolors across the fabric in a moment of inspired frenzy. This piece, born from EENK's collaboration with artist Nina Koltchitskaia, blurred the lines between fashion and art, body and canvas.
As the last echoes of PILOOSKI's carefully curated soundscape faded away, the audience was left in a state of aesthetic reverie. Supported by Concept Korea and graced by the presence of luminaries like actress Lee Si-young and MONSTA X's Shownu, EENK's show was more than a fashion presentation – it was a cultural event, a moment where East met West in a harmonious clash of creativity.
With "A for Aesthetics," EENK inaugurated a new era for the label. As the fashion world absorbs this latest collection, one can't help but wonder: if this is 'A', what marvels will the rest of the alphabet bring?
