Budding Korean menswear designer Chul Yong has unveiled the Autumn/Winter 2012 collection campaign images for his label Cy Choi (whose Autumn/Winter 2011 collection was previously reviewed by The Style Examiner). Exploring once again the brand’s recurrent motif of duality and how contrasting influences can be mixed or juxtaposed, this is Cy Choi’s sixth collection since it was founded in Paris in 2009 with the intention to provide a new take on traditional menswear.
Once again, Cy Choi works contrasting elements into the collection in an accomplished and elegant manner: delicate wool knits and cotton shirts are layered under coats made of thick wool and shearling, plain colours coexist with striking patterns such as hound’s-tooth and dots, and the colour palette fuses dark tones (such as black, navy, grey, and green) with lighter ones (namely ivory and cream. The slim and fitted shapes of trousers and shirts also contrast with strong outerwear, particularly against a plethora of single and double breasted coats that come in a variety of options, including field coats, pea coats, trench coats, fitted coats, and oversized coats. Details such as concealed buttons, shawl collars, patch pockets, knee patches on trousers, adjustable drawstring waistbands on coats, and raglan sleeves also illustrate a sartorial narrative that successfully blends opposing designs and inspirations.
Chul Yong studied Fine Art and Fashion Design at the Hongik University in Seoul, Korea, before enrolling in Fashion Design at Domus Academy in Milan, Italy. After graduating, he lived in Milan and worked as a fashion designer and art director for brands in Italy and Korea. Since his first menswear collection for Spring/Summer 2010 came to the fore, he has caught the attention of a number of publications and saw his designs featured in several blogs and magazines such as GQ, Arena, Esquire, and L’Officiel Hommes.
