The latest pairs from New Balance's Numeric line don't come with their own incense (that would be cool, though). It's named after the sticks that release soothing aromas when burned. It even arrives in this satisfying beige color, which gives it a similar woody vibe as incense.

New Balance pairs the "Incense" color scheme with admittedly luxe materials like leather and suede. The results are a New Balance 480 skate sneaker that looks almost too nice to scuff up.

However, it's forever session-ready, equipped with comfy Fuelcell foam and grippy gum rubber soles, plus ample padding around the collar.

It's truly Dunk-coded in the sense that it's both fashionable and skate-able, like the Nike Dunk. The New Balance 480 comes in a variety of color options, ranging from calm all-black options to colorful duck-inspired versions.

The "Incense" skate shoes take the cake for the most soothing pairs yet.

And good news: they're now up for grabs on New Balance's website for $105.

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This isn't your normal revival, either. Converse has essentially rebuilt the model from scratch, having tweaked a few things and added in the classic First String fixings.

Indeed, like with other models from the line, the Jack Purcells feature top-tier leather uppers. And it also sports Converse's CX foam, Nike Air, and Vibram rubber underfoot, promising a high-end ride that's not only durable but super comfy.

Converse has updated some of its signature touches, for the better, of course. But it still has a lot of Jack Purcell-ness, down to the "smile" on the toe cap.

The Jack Purcell never truly went away. We've certainly felt the model's presence in Converse's fashion collaborations and even its in-line skate models (dress shoes, too). But the First String release looks to be the first proper (and luxe) revival of the Jack Purcell.

The First String Jack Purcell sneaker is scheduled to drop on September 8 on Converse's website. It will land in white and green colorways.

And there's more where that came from. In a press release, Converse says that it'll release "additional styles" later this year.

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In other words, these are the kinds of no-nonsense, fully functional backpacks and briefcases and rucksacks that do exactly what you want from a bag. They protect your precious cargo. So, of course, when Canada’s preeminent low-key menswear brand, JJJJound, went looking for a partner for a series of commuter-friendly gear, it picked PORTER. 

See, hidden beneath a pile of great shoe releases with the likes of Vans and New Balance (and its own line of carefully crafted apparel) is a brand ready to break into the fast lane of cyclingwear. It’s a logical next step for a brand “super rooted in the city lifestyle,” as its founder Justin R. Saunders told Highsnobiety last year with the release of a collection with Copenhagen's technical cycling label Pas Normal Studios.

That release saw the brands introduce an incredible race-fit cycling jersey featuring a print of Claude Monet’s Impressionist painting The Poppy Field near Argenteuil, plus a few pieces of less artistically inclined but still useful sport gear. JJJJound has been moving into this lane for a minute. It sold its own green-framed bicycle in 2021, and released two leather, steel, and aluminum bicycle seats with British bike saddle manufacturer Brooks earlier this month.

With the PORTER partnership, their vision of becoming one of the coolest guest stars in the world of cycling gear continues apace. Each bag is made to move and elevated by the kind of technical flourishes you'd expect from two brands known for their devotion to absolute precision. Nylon ripstop with water-repellent finish pairs with structural tarpaulin; buckles and cord stoppers are made of durable, high-quality metal.

Building a wardrobe’s worth of elevated essentials is great and all. But adding accessories that give all these pieces room to quite literally move (on top of a speeding fixie, no less) is even better. 

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Sure, the name "Fireside" doesn't sound the most appetizing. However, the newest Jordan 3 is quite delectable, design-wise. It comes decked out in "Velvet Brown" leather, alongside matching brown soles and elephant prints. Nike offsets the chocolatey browns with some cream-white laces and branding moments. It also comes with bubblegum pink shoelaces, which only add to the sweet flavor.

These Air Jordan 3s are toasted to s'mores perfection, honestly. They belong next to the campfire, alongside a bag of marshmallows and graham crackers.

(Please don't eat them, though.)

The Air Jordan 3 "Fireside" sneakers are expected to drop on October 3 on Nike's website. And believe it or not, this won't be the only tasty sneaker on the streets during the cooler seasons. Nike also has an "Eggnog" Air Jordan 12 in the pipeline.

Between the butter-yellow steppers and chocolate-covered shoes of the world, sneakers are more delicious than ever.

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The brand's latest sneaker nails the "denim" look without denim. It actually features crisp canvas layers, bathed in grey shades, which gives the feeling of the Air Max model wearing its own jeans again.

Sure, it's not Levi's or made of denim at all. But it's still a clean and textural take on the classic Air Max model.

And it's not alone. Nike has introduced a few other canvas Air Max 95 sneakers in recent weeks, including a cream colorway and a black version. It's safe to say that Nike's getting its Big Bubble sneaker sorted for the fall season.

I mean, it's already getting in the Christmas mood with the Jordan Brand.

But for those prepping their rotations for next season, the denim-style Air Max 95 Big Bubble "Smoke Grey" sneakers are now available on Nike's website for $190.

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A new version of the classic sneaker has surfaced: the Nike Blazy. (No relation to Chanel creative director Matthieu Blazy. Although a Chanel x Nike sneaker would be a dream.)

The Blazy is essentially a "lazy" Blazer sneaker, which features a deliberately worn-down heel that makes the sneaker lean back. More like, kick back.

It's a little strange, for sure. But it's also very clean, offering minimalist uppers wrapped in stylish textures like sturdy canvas, suede, and leather. Nike has even released the model in three nice colorways: black, off-white, and green. All are expected to release on the brand's website during the fall.

Nike's Blazer sneaker has been working hard since the 1970s, going from making moves on the basketball court to becoming just as big in skate culture. Let's also not forget its streetwear era, where big names like Off-White™ and sacai were giving it stylish spins.

It deserves to be lazy, honestly.

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Byredo decorated your home, hangs in your wardrobe, and is now perfuming your car.

With its new line of car diffusers, Byredo’s most famous scents now waft around the cabin of your vehicle. Because if you’re going to douse yourself in upscale Scandi perfume, why not match with your car? 

This first offering consists of three interchangeable Byredo aromas — Bibliothèque, designed to smell like well-used paper in a library, alongside Summer Rain and Coin Laundry, whose inspirations are more self-explanatory — which slot into a round leather Byredo case and demand refills every three months. 

The way it works is that the leather case straps onto the vehicle's air vent, diffusing the perfume using the car’s airflow. And, just like Byredo’s famously simple monochrome perfume bottles, the circular case is entirely minimal, with a plain leather outer embossed with Byredo’s “B” logo.

Having one of these on your dashboard is basically the tasteful antithesis of those big fluffy dice hanging from the rearview mirror.

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Although this next colorway may just do the trick. Enter the “Black and Radiant Blue” version.

Whether you're on board or not, there's no denying the Air Liquid Max delivers on comfort. Nike certainly thinks so, and one look at the oversized full-length Air unit explains why. It's extra bulbous and bouncy. AKA, impossible to ignore.

But the real magic has always been in the colorways. The Liquid Max gives Nike a blank canvas to experiment with, and "Black and Radiant Blue" is one of its strongest efforts yet. A stealthy black upper keeps things understated, while electric blue waves ripple across the mudguard before flowing into the tinted Air unit below. It's just enough color to make the silhouette pop without overpowering its already unconventional shape.

Weird sneakers live and die by what they're wearing, and thankfully, the Air Liquid Max rarely misses. If there was ever a pair capable of turning skeptics into believers, this midnight-sky beauty might just be it.

This colorway drops on Nike’s website July 23.

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And just like there’s no beating a classic pair of 501 jeans, Patagonia’s Retro-X fleece is about as good as a soft, fluffy, polyester zip-up will ever get. However, the new generation of Retro-X’s, released last year with slightly adjusted proportions and a new recycled polyester fabric, improve upon perfection.

And as if that isn’t impressive enough, they also make it rather artful.

Patagonia’s dropping a new Retro-X, available now from a handful of retailers but yet to arrive on the brand’s website, where orange, blue, and pastel yellow forms swirl around like on an abstract expressionist painting. It’s almost like if Willem de Kooning did fluffy hiking jackets. 

Patagonia is far from the first to approach fleeces with a lightly experimental eye, as skate label Palace previously made trippy fleece jackets while Gramicci did full suits of squiggly-lined fleece, but it’s novel seeing the elderly OG livened up so artfully. The only issue is that, unlike those aforementioned styles, Patagonia’s playful jackets (including this red patterned number from last season) is only available in women's sizing. 

For most fellas, that means sizing up and adjusting to the slightly boxier cut of the women’s jacket to make it work — which isn’t the end of the world. I certainly won’t let anything as arbitrary as gendered sizing be a barrier between me and a great fleece.

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The only throughlines were Watts, Watts' good taste, and Watts' ability to demonstrate it. Now 31, his honed perspective has guided every move he's made since the beginning. To know his work is to know what it takes to comfortably stride through a finicky industry.

You've seen his work, you just didn't know it was his. Among other things, Watts had a hand in many Supreme drops of the early 2020s and still helps guide Stüssy's direction, particularly its ongoing Nike partnership. His resume's crown jewel is the USM x Humanrace partnership that debuted at Milan Design Week 2025, a perfect partnership for many reasons, not least because it proves the power of Watts' prescience. USM Humanrace makes plenty of sense in hindsight but hindsight is cheap. Foresight is rare. How many people could've brought these two companies together? Only Scott Watts.

On an unseasonably warm spring day, I caught up with Watts at a restaurant on the fringe of SoHo. Having only talked over email until that point, I wasn't sure I'd recognize him. But Watts stood out in the way that stylish people tend to, his dark jacket and jeans recognizable amidst a sea of sundresses and graphic tees. Also, he's very tall.

Over the course of an hour, Watts and I discussed his short but stacked body of work, which began when he was just a kid from Miami, has since led him all across the world. Just the other month, he visited a historic French villa with New Balance for USM. Now, he's back in New York for a project with Levi's.

If you've ever wondered what it takes to succeed in and beyond streetwear, just ask Scott Watts.

This interview has been condensed and edited.

Let's go back to the beginning.

Back in 2015, when I was 20, I started my own brand, Gallery 909. And as I started to get traction online, people like Travis Scott would reach out to me — he was one of the first big names to support my product.

He reached out to you? Not his stylist?

Yeah, this was before his first album. Kanye reached out to me, too, back when he was doing Sunday Service. After I came back from working with him and resumed the brand, Supreme reached out. It was amazing. I had modeled everything after Supreme: The way I shot the models, the way I would cast the models, everything. Supreme was the mecca of menswear.

What did Supreme talk with you about?

They said something like "We love your work. Can you show us something based off these concepts?" I think James [Jebbia, Supreme founder] had directly seen my product because when I came to their office, two of the higher ups told me something like, "James is interested." I got to meet him, which was the craziest thing ever — we were in his corner office and he was playing this song, I'll never forget it: "Summer Madness" by Kool and the Gang. He had these big, banging, awesome speakers from the '90s, one on each side, and he's just talking with the music playing.

Now that's a meeting with the boss.

Totally. I ended up working with Supreme on a contract for a couple months. consulting on product and the overall collection. They later had me designing outerwear and doing research. James was very adamant on '90s and early-2000s culture, digging deeper than they were already digging. It was very visual, a lot of "Don't just show me the design but show me the context in which it lives."

You cut your teeth with Supreme before moving to Stüssy.

It's funny because I couldn't have gone Stüssy without Supreme. James went Stüssy Supreme, I went Supreme Stüssy. My friend Liam MacRae brought me in at the beginning of Stüssy's turnaround [around 2018]. He reached out to me and he was like, "Are you interested?" I came on with the same dynamic as Supreme, except that they had me on a retainer and I was the only one in New York. I consulted on the broader image and helped with specific ideas. There were multiple jackets and sweaters hand-drawn by me in the Summer 2020, Spring 2021 collections.

What were the differences between working with Supreme and Stüssy?

Stüssy was a smaller team. It felt more family oriented. Supreme felt like JP Morgan, you know: You talk to James, but under James are two guys, and under those two are six, and under that six are 12. You can kind of get lost in the machine, whereas Stüssy was the opposite. I only spoke to one guy, there wasn't anybody above him.

Stüssy is like a think tank. It feels like you're really contributing to the product. Up until two years ago, you'd have people working all over everything. The main collection, the hardware, the collabs with Nike, Converse, and Levi's. That was good because you'd stay inspired. You're tasting other things that you may not at Supreme. Supreme is defensive, in a sense. They wanna see what you have, they wanna see what your idea is, and then they give you direction.

You can really see that. Supreme moves in all different directions, while Stüssy is always Stüssy.

Supreme likes to be shocked, whereas Stüssy is rooted in its codes.

Also, you've been with these brands long enough to see them rise, fell, rise again.

Well, with streetwear, everybody's heavy, heavy critical. Not from a detail standpoint but the overall sentiment. You're hot or you're not — they're not gonna explain. Supreme has always been good visually. Whenever it lacks, people blame the product, never the visuals. But Stussy's whole brand image needed a revival, from image to product.

The great thing about Stüssy's resurgence is that it never tried to be Supreme. It never tried to be another brand. It expanded on its known identity. It's always "How do we incorporate the California guy, the surfer." The Baltoro boot, which was the most recent Nike thing I worked on alongside the apparel, was a sweet spot. The boot itself was already about hiking, camping, the outdoors, and we just gave it this California feel. It's Stüssy doing Stüssy, not fashion or what's cool on Instagram. Stüssy does things only when it's ready. It times things right. That's the formula.

How did starting your own brand set you up for all of this?

Businesswise, my brand did OK but it was a labor of love. And it opened doors that paid off more lucratively than the brand itself. I landed a feature in 032C and, once, Frank Ocean wore one of my pieces.

I've always had a good eye in the sense that I usually know what's coming. You have to have taste and that taste has to then be visible to other people. And luckily I've been just visible enough to be seen because I would never know where to apply for Supreme. I would have never known where to apply for Stüssy. I'm grateful for the fact that I was ushered in, scouted in a sense. That's the type of relationship you can't manufacture.

Does Supreme still "scout" designers like it did you?

I don't know, and I'm sure it's a little more formal now. But Supreme is still so plugged-in. I've been in meetings with their executives and heard them mention things I don't think even peers of mine would be looking at. That's how you have to be to stay on top.

When did you meet the USM team?

I met Jon [Thorson, USM CEO] in Milan during Design Week a few years ago but I didn't really even know what USM was at that point. I just know he was good with my friend Devon [Turnbull, artist and sound engineer]. As we got familiar with each other, I got a deeper understanding of USM's prestige and reputation.

How do you think USM was perceived at that time?

It wasn't peaking like it is now — it had the heritage but it wasn't a staple name to the younger consumer. I think that was part of Jon's mission, to change that without polarizing their customer or being untrue to USM.

And you introduced them to Humanrace.

Yeah, it was really good timing for both of them. Just like with USM, Humanrace wanted to expand and be more than skincare and clothes. It's good that Jon's always open. He didn't know Humanrace like that. And, if you compare this label Pharrell founded like five years ago against this 100-year-old Swiss giant, it's the Swiss giant who has the leverage. But I had Jon's trust.

I wasn't actually that close with Humanrace at first, but after talking to Edward [Robinson, cofounder], I knew it'd be a great look for both of them because they'd look great together. I only really push things like this when it's like, "OK, this is really gonna elevate the brand." Same thing with Stüssy, anything I've ever pushed forward, it's like, "I think this can elevate the brand."

Did you ever discuss a Stüssy/USM crossover?

We were talking about doing a Stüssy USM piece but it didn't go through. Supreme had already done it and Stüssy didn't have the need for it. Any another brand, they would've said "Hell, yeah, let's do it. Let's make a cabinet, just to compete." But for Stüssy, that would've been inauthentic. Choosing what not to do is a real strength.

So, you're still working with Stüssy, you're working with USM, and now you have your own agency, GA9.

Right. I've been lucky to work with a lot of big machines. I've been able to get to the top of the machines and influence the machines. The agency is me contributing some of that perspective. And we do experiences, we do build-outs, we work with multiple business that trust me, like Stüssy and USM.

I don't only wanna speak to the kid who's a fashion-head. I wanna speak to the person who's just walking in the mall. Like, when I saw the first iPhone 4 in Aventura Mall in Miami, it was just some middle-aged guy holding it to his ear. But the way the light was hitting, I was like, "Yo, I need that." Those moments are what you create for, even if no product is involved.

Do you still like clothing?

Yeah. I love clothing, but as utility. I'm a fan of how architects dress, how the guys on Wall Street dress. They're trying to be the best in their field and their uniform reflects that. I'm into uniformity. Things that are muted, subtle, Prada, Veilance, things like that. I like being a silent killer.

Hitman.

I like people to not know until — oh, snap! You know! It's a dopamine hit when a guy seems flat but then you learn he did this or did that. The guy who walks in and you don't know if he's worth $50 or $50 billion. There's depth to that.

That's a very James Jebbia attitude. I know he shops at stores like C'H'C'M'.

One day, I ran into him outside Nanamica [in SoHo]. But, yeah, he's running his ship every day. He wants people to pay attention to the vision. You have to have a neutral appearance so that when people are listening, they're not getting distracted.

Our dopamine receptors are so cooked. We love big people, big images, grandiose visions, and that's what fashion was for a while. You have to teach yourself the difference between what's noise and what's actually cool.

How does that approach relate to your design work?

Luckily, I was at the front of this brand crossover in the furniture space, but now it's getting oversaturated. The challenge is to deliver something new. This space is crazy dense. People are pushing into areas that used to not be available. I'm a fan of it. I'm a fan of design.

It's good for the consumer that they get to be enriched with experience. Nobody's really trying to sell you a chair anymore. They're trying to sell you a feeling. In return, the consumer gets some agency back. He has a choice to reject or buy in. It makes him more aware of regular design.

What's coming next?

I think the next sector is gonna be finance. Design used to be boring, you know? Now, it's everything. The next challenge is seeing how you can get creative in the space of Chase and Goldman Sachs.

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New Balance’s latest 530 might be here to change that.

The techy dad shoe has traded its usual serious running aesthetic for something a little more playful. Covered in soft tones and finished with a sprinkling of polka dots, this latest 530 proves that a sneaker built around performance-inspired design can still have a sense of humor.

Of course, the things that made the 530 a modern classic remain. The layered mesh upper, chunky silhouette, and early-2000s runner DNA still give it that unmistakable Y2K energy. But the playful details add a completely different personality, turning one of New Balance’s most recognizable dad shoes into something far more charming.

Look, not every retro runner needs to look like it was born to cross a marathon finishing line. Sometimes the easiest way to stand out is simply adding a little fun. The 530 has always been comfortable, now it’s got character to match.

The Polka Dot 530 will be available on New Balance’s website July 29.

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“If it’s pearls, it has to be MIKIMOTO,” Richard Stark, co-founder of Chrome Hearts, told his daughter Jesse Jo Stark when she pitched the idea of Chrome Hearts pearl jewelry. And so, a collaboration was born, where the biggest name in ultra-luxury biker jewelry started using a gemstone best known for being found in grandma’s jewelry collection (and, more recently, the odd high-profile fella).

That tension actually makes for an interesting contrast. In their debut collaboration, released in 2024, the sultry shimmer of MIKIMOTO’s pearls softened Chrome Hearts’ gothic white gold crosses and punkish safety pin brooch. Now, a five-piece 22K yellow gold collection follows up that initial white gold range.

In the latest offering, pearls and pavé diamonds cover Chrome Hearts’ classics, like its cross pendant necklace and bracelet, while the safety pin returns in yellow gold and drop earrings feature a MIKIMOTO pearl squished between a Chrome Hearts cross and a long golden spike. 

It’s unusual enough that Chrome Hearts would experiment with pearls but even rarer for MIKIMOTO to release a collaboration. The old-school jewelry house regularly creates custom creations, such as the pearl ornamentation for Emily Blunt’s 2026 Met Gala top but its cobranded drops are few and far between. Really, a longstanding partnership with COMME des GARÇONS and recently unveiled Onitsuka Tiger jewels are the only other big-name MIKIMOTO link-ups of note. 

And while this Chrome Hearts collaboration marks the expansion of MIKIMOTO’s collaborative offerings, it’s not going to be easy to find. In classic Chrome Hearts style, it hasn’t publicly announced details of the drop, but it is available in limited numbers at its flagship stores and MIKIMOTO’s Ginza store also has stock.

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Pushing beyond simple primary color blocking while honoring its storied heritage, the Jumpman lineup strikes a refined balance between stealthy luxury and classic collegiate styling with this drop.

Rather than starting with a traditional crisp white base, the design team builds from a deep, velvety Off Noir backdrop—a rich charcoal black that gives the low-cut silhouette a sense of understated sophistication.

By layering subtle hits of University Red and Game Royal across the dark canvas, the pair creates a contrast that feels unmistakably in line with the brand’s vintage basketball heritage without falling back on predictable retro templates.

The shoe's upper is executed in premium leather, with Off Noir panels wrapping the toe box, eyestays, and midfoot. Crisp Sail leather overlays pop at the Swoosh and midsole, introducing a quilted texture for a touch of luxury.

Our favorite touches are the flashes of University Red and Game Royal blue at the tongue and heel which nod to the fan-favorite color-blocked palettes that have paved Jordan Brand’s ascension to god-level sneaker reputation.

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And when it comes to controversially bipartite footwear, well, that's something adidas knows very well. The proof? adidas' Handball Spezial Loafer: A boardroom-ready version of adidas' elite handball sneaker.

You know, for when you have a stakeholder presentation at 6:00 PM and a wallball tournament at 7:00 PM.

Its corporate style is realized through brown and cream leather set off by a penny loafer-style Trefoil pendant on the lateral side, a nod to adidas' established heritage and craftsmanship.

In lieu of a more traditional Three Stripes, this court-ready loafer sports a slightly raised leather iteration that blends in with the sneaker's soft brown upper.

These distinct but subtle enhancements are the connecting thread through which the tapestry of funky fusion shoes is woven. Whether it be the New Balance 1890 Moc Toe's ABZORB midsole unit or the classic white Three Stripes found on the double-platinum Samba Mary Jane, a hybrid shoe is only as good as its ability to remind you it comes from two worlds subtly.

As far as the spectrum of hybrid shoes goes, this loafer leans toward the corporate side of things; in fact, the only remnants of a sneaker are the rubber Spezial outsole and matching logo on the tongue.

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Its capital city, Seoul, acts as the beating heart of its fashion scene, with Seoul Fashion Week becoming increasingly popular. Plus, Frieze Seoul has drawn big names in fashion, such as Bottega Veneta and Chanel, to the city.

The numbers don't lie, either. South Koreans consistently rank among the world's biggest spenders on luxury goods, and the country's fashion market keeps growing year after year as its designers gain ground on the international stage.

To help you better understand the lay of the land, we have outlined our favorite Korean brands to take note of. From masters of technical fashion to grungy streetwear labels, check out all 29 brands down below.

Shop the best Korean brands of 2026 below.

We11done

From the minds of Jessica Jung and Dami Kwon, WE11DONE is a youthful upstart in the Korean Fashion space. After breaking out in their home country, the brand was quickly adopted by the likes of Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, and G Dragon, giving a celebrity co-sign to what is now a cornerstone of the scene.

Both grungy and playful, their more recent collections feature the logo of the pierced teddy bear, as an embodiment of the We11done attitude, confronting monotonous office attire with Punk elements.

Whether you're hunting for a moody Cobain-esque flannel, or a leather statement piece to show-off that inner biker, We11done delivers it all with quintessentially Korean twist.

Juun.J

A pioneer in gender-bending, sleek Korean design, the designer behind the Juun.J label started in 2007, and has quickly become a consistent favorite at both Pitti Uomo and Paris Fashion Week Men's. Built on a variety of constant visual motifs, the brand regularly blends the masculine exaggerated with traditional feminine patterns and understated styling.

Like is he case for some of his contemporaries, even the truly avant-garde pieces of the Juun.J universe are built on a strong foundation of tailoring, whether you are shopping for an angular suit or a luxuriously large fur coat.

Tonywack

Tony Wack is making the case for a new center of Scandinavian style — in Seoul. With a wealth of already-infamous silhouettes to his name, like a Suede Biker Jacket, TONYWACK is built on an ethos of aesthetic but expressive classics. Rooted in the world of '70s Post-Punk bands like Television and Joy Division, the brand's guise mirrors both the contemporary and a taste for vintage .

One such example is the beautifully slightly flared reconstructed Denim Jean, which is reminiscent of an iconic Gainsbourg cut, suitably updated for the modern fashion-forward buyer. Subtle references throughout the most recent collection links the Korean brand to the world of The Libertines and other classic rockstar looks. A respect for traditional items, balanced against an innovative design, TONYWACK embodies everything people have come to love about Korean fashion.

Rokh

Effortlessly-chic, elevated, and artisanal, Rokh is truly Paris' long-lost outfitter. A global citizen in every sense, Rok Hwang was born in South Korea, raised in Austin, Texas, and established his brand in London. After gaining an MA in Womenswear from Central Saint Martins, Hwang was selected for Phoebe Philo's team during her time at Celine. Such influences become apparent across Rokh, though not at the expense of being celebrated as one of the most exciting talents in all of fashion.

For those looking for a similar minimalistic aesthetic to the worlds of early Jil Sander and '90s Calvin Klein, Rokh is where to go.

OSOI

For OSOI, play and function are not opposite. Created by Heejin Kang in 2016, the brand's grounded in the principle of functional but enjoyable design. With the word OSOI deriving from the Japanese "unhurried", the bags span a variety of designs, and place emphasis on quality craftsmanship. OSOI centers the conscious consumer, with a clear harmony between everyday leather goods and more fashion-leaning designs.

KUSIKOHC

For KUSIKOHC's founder Gi-seok Cho, fashion is just one creative vice. Along with being the figure behind one of South Korea's most exciting labels, Cho is an established photographer whose surrealist portraits have put him in high demand.

His brand operates with the slogan "right to fail," however, it has proven to be a raving success. Alongside earning a coveted place among the LVMH Prize's shortlisted talents, KUSIKOHC has built a devoted following for its leather-heavy, biker-coded designs, including a moto-gear collaboration with Italian specialist Spidi, and a roster of high-profile fans spanning rappers and K-pop stars alike. The multi-hyphenate has since extended his surrealist universe beyond clothing, channelling it into the olfactory world with his own fragrance project.

Post Archive Faction

The increased popularity of outdoor clothing brands in fashion circles is something we have kept a keen eye on over the past few years. Post Archive Faction (PAF) has managed to appease our new-found lust for uber-functional wares with abstract shapes, experimental techniques, and an eye for subtle details.

It's these qualities that put it in the running for the LVMH Prize and have created a huge buzz around its designs — especially the puffer jackets. That momentum has only accelerated through its boundary-pushing work with On and its utilitarian reimagining of the Clarks Wallabee, cementing PAF as one of technical fashion's most uncompromising names.

FFFPOSTALSERVICE

FFFPOSTALSERVICE's range of technical outdoor clothing wouldn't look out of place in a sci-fi movie, and that's no coincidence. The Seoul-based brand describes itself as: "A never-ending sci-fi motion picture."

In the brand's range of futuristic designs, you can find jackets with integrated face masks, pants that can be adjusted to fit three different ways through an innovative zip system, and countless pockets and darts designed with utility in mind. In the booming technical fashion scene, FFFPOSTALSERVICE is one of the most experimental names around.

THUG CLUB

One of Korea's focal streetwear labels, THUG CLUB has gone from a grungey breakout indie name to a world-renowned luxury streetwear fixture.

Delivering collections that provide a blend of grunge, surrealism, and playful experimentation, the brand has developed a distinct look that's caught the eye of high-profile customers like A$AP Rocky, SZA, and Central Cee. It has also taken its collaborative output global, most notably through its ongoing partnership with adidas — warping the Superstar with aggressively extended toe boxes and reworking everything from studded Adiclogs to medieval-fencer tracksuits and military-grade footwear.

Juntae Kim

Juntae Kim is one of the younger labels on this list, but the designer has heaps of experience to lean on, having earned BA in Womenswear at Gyeongsam University in Seoul before moving to London and completing a BA and an MA course at London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins respectively.

The LVMH Prize-nominated designer studied both menswear and womenswear in his extensive time at university which shows itself in the brand's fluid collections. According to its website, the brand's philosophy is: "Unravelling binary constructions: true beauty is not about constraining the body, but loosening it." That fluidity runs through collections like the Vivienne Westwood–indebted "NEW ROMANTICS," which arrived alongside a sculptural Salomon shoe collaboration that treated the XT-6 like bespoke cut-and-sew apparel.

thisisneverthat

Founded by three friends, Jongkyu Choi, Nadan Cho, and Inwook Park, back in 2010, thisisneverthat can be considered something of an OG in the streetwear space. Before the scene blew up and the majority of luxury brands started to take an interest in what skateboard brands were doing, thisisneverthat was producing graphic-heavy collections of a similar ilk to those it releases today.

Along with its seasonal collections and effortlessly cool campaigns (which are all produced in-house) what has made thisisneverthat a cult favorite is its footwear collaborations — and more specifically, its ongoing relationship with New Balance. The brand has released excellent takes of NB's most popular models, spanning everything from washed-out 550s and silver-hued 1906s to an understated, refined take on the 827.

WOOYOUNGMI

Before we start waxing lyrical about WOOYOUNGMI, a bit of explaining is needed; as anyone who has shopped for WOOYOUNGMI in the past will have noted that the label on the inside of the garment says "WOOYOUNGMI Paris". The reason for this is that the brand was founded in Paris by Korean designer Woo Youngmi but is now based in Seoul, got it?

Woo Youngmi, or Madame Youngmi as she's often known, is a legend in South Korea and a trailblazer who led the way for many Korean designers after her. The designer founded the cult-favorite brand Solid Homme in 1988 (there'll be more on that later) and has been presenting in Paris since 2003. Her menswear designs deliver luxurious fabrics, sharp tailoring, and architectural shapes that are favored by celebrities in Korea and beyond. That legacy now includes a brick-and-mortar flagship on Paris's rue Saint-Honoré, planting a flag for South Korean fashion in one of the world's luxury epicenters.

OJOS

"We are a group that creates a different present with inspiration found in faded things," reads part of a statement that flashes across the screen at the top of OJOS' website. The womenswear label incorporates utilitarian details taken from technical fashion with its avant-garde lens to produce clothing that "creates a different present," to quote the brand's previously-mentioned motto.

Designed to be comfortable, durable, and experimental in equal measure, OJOS' collections offer left-field utilitarian wear which is a niche that's often left unfilled in womenswear.

Andersson Bell

Andersson Bell offers wearers that beloved Scandinavian aesthetic from a Korean perspective. The designer's philosophy produces clothing that is minimalistic in nature, accessible to all style types, but with hints of Korea's eclectic and vibrant fashion culture. The fashion brand is filled to the brim with clothing that is utilitarian, colorful, contemporary, and sometimes even technical.

Beyond the mainline clothing, you're likely familiar with the brand thanks to its collaborations, from its hiking-laced ASICS GEL-Sonoma 15-50 to a set of thick-soled, punk-rock Crocs clogs steeped in '90s Britpop, and a "recustomized" denim capsule with Levi's that fuses two garments into one.

EGNARTS

"Workwear has long transcended its original purpose of equipping blue-collar workers and has since become a fashion staple. Many brands offer workwear in various forms and EGNARTS is creating some of the most experimental, fashion-forward around. Its collections include workwear staples such as chore coats, double-knee pants, and dungarees all reinterpreted and upgraded through hidden pockets or hand-painted patterns."

ADER error

A super creative group, complete with talents from various disciplines, including design, art, graphic design, and architecture, ADER error is one of the most exciting brands to come out of South Korea. Founded in 2014, the fashion studio's core tenet centers around reimagining, often passed over, and everyday garments in exciting and "rotation-friendly" ways.

From oversized, reversible knitwear to varsity jackets repurposed as coats, clothing is experimentally tailored, turning staples into statement pieces. ADER error takes pride in its ability to take the things we missed in the everyday and edit them in a culturally suggestive way. That experimental streak extends to its collaborations, too, see its hi-tech reworking of the Birkenstock Arizona.

AMOMENTO

Along with being a must-visit best multi-brand retailer in Seoul (it has three outposts in the Korean capital), AMOMENTO is one of the most exciting brands coming from the city. The label was quickly praised for its structural silhouettes, clean lines, and overall timeless aesthetic, complete with beautifully made fabrics sourced from across Eastern Asia, and a sustainable sensibility that makes its clothes more personal the longer you wear them.

Furthermore, each piece found at AMOMENTO is made locally in Seoul. As a result, the Korean brand is one of those labels in which finding the perfect pair of trousers, a beautifully cut coat, or a luxuriously comfortable sweater is easy while thumbing through AMOMENTO's offerings.

CAYL

Standing for "Climb As You Love," CAYL creates highly engineered climbing essentials that look fantastic both on the hiking trail and beyond. Established by Euijae Lee in 2011, the clothing label creates a mixture of activewear and techwear capable of handling demanding situations throughout the four seasons.

Lightweight, weatherproof jackets? Check. Future-proof technical pants? Easy. Element-ready hiking backpack? No problem. Gorpcore enthusiasts, we've got the brand for you.

SYSTEM

Carefully toeing the line between minimalism and maximalism, SYSTEM's designs feel familiar but come with details that go way beyond the everyday. The brand, which was founded in 1990, has become an authority in Korean fashion thanks to its craftsmanship, contemporary tailoring, and androgynous approach to fashion.

Solid Homme

Remember above when we mentioned that Woo Youngmi has another brand that she founded before WOOYOUNGMI? Well, this is it.

Founded in 1988, Solid Homme is truly a pioneer in Korean fashion and one of the first brands from the country to crossover and have international appeal. Today, it continues to create clothing with the same philosophy of offering contemporary, expertly-made menswear.

Recto

Perfectly refined clothing is the name of the game for Korean designer Ji Yeon Jung and her brand Recto. Exploring androgynous design, the label offers expert tailoring and premium casual staples.
Tailored shirts, wool bombers jackets, wide-leg trousers, relaxed denim, ribbed knit cardigans, a healthy mix of leather goods, loungewear, and seasonal boots keep fans of the brand returning for more.

Numbering

Led by Noori Kim, Korean label Numbering focuses its efforts on accessories with jewelry being its specialty.

All of its jewelry is handmade and includes a unique numbered engraving, a motif from which the brand takes its name. The label's vast selection ranges from crystal-covered statement jewelry to the more minimal everyday pieces, all created with a refined eye that has brought Numbering its reputation and led to it being stocked by reputable retailers from around the world such as END. and SSENSE.

Frizmworks

Looking to archival workwear and military styles, Frizmworks finds its inspiration in utility and imbues it with modern sensibilities through exaggerated proportions. It's a tried-and-tested formula that many labels have put their spin on over the past few decades and we can't get enough.

Hyein Seo

Hyein Seo founded her eponymous label after graduating from the prestigious Antwerp Royal Academy, an institution that has created some of the greatest fashion designers ever. Since launching in 2014, it has made quite a splash.

Early on, it started showing collections in New York and London, building a reputation that has only strengthened with its blend of utilitarian design, handmade craft elements, and tasteful distressing. That standing recently saw Nike tap the brand to help debut and develop its minimalist Ava Rover runner across a run of muted, fashion-forward colorways.

Gentle Monster

In the highly competitive eyewear scene, Gentle Monster has emerged as one of the most exciting names. Gentle Monster has built a fanbase based on sleek designs, cinematic marketing, and outstanding materials like fine metal alloys and luxurious acetate.

Beyond its eyewear designs, Gentle Monster owns some of the coolest brand-owned retail spaces. Like stepping into Ridley Scott's film, the stores include huge installations that draw directly from science fiction. Gentle Monster is making buying glasses cool again.

Eastlogue

Taking from vintage and military garments, particularly reminiscent of 1930s America, Eastlogue is a reminder that substantially high-quality clothing is what underlines every great brand.

No wonder the likes of Gentlemonster, Gentry, and Oi Polloi love the brand. Plus, adding more big names to its long list of collaborators, it has linked with American originals from Brooks Brothers to New Balance, the latter producing a "Hiking Club" capsule that's a Korean style masterclass.

To find out more about our favorite brands from around the globe, check out our rundowns of the best fashion in Germany, Denmark, Canada, Sweden, Japan, and France.

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