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NY1 News covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week from Lincoln Center, where the world's top designers showcase their newest collections.

02/12/2012 12:10 PM

Fashion Week 2012: Korean Designers Enjoy The Lincoln Center Spotlight

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Asian designers are playing an ever growing role in New York City's fashion scene, and two Lincoln Center shows celebrated the Korean designers who travel great distances and lengths to be part of New York Fashion Week. NY1's Arts reporter Stephanie Simon filed the following report.

Don't shed a tear for designer Son Jung Wan. She is one of five designers chosen to be in this year's "Concept Korea" show, a project of the South Korean government to promote it's country's fashion industry abroad.

Jung Wan says the bejeweled tears on her models are for beauty, sadness and happiness. Overall, she says she was inspired by a winter oriental garden.

"I interpreted the flowers to oriental embroidery and colors, khaki and gray and oranges," says Jung Wan.

"Concept Korea" is not a traditional runway show but a presentation. The models stand still as the audience moves around. It's a little bit crowded, but at least everybody gets to be in the front row.

Former "Gossip Girl" actress, model and musician Taylor Momsen got a great view and says she could get "Pretty Reckless" with these looks.

"I think it's eclectic and I always say my style is very eclectic. So I think it's a lot of mix and match things that you can put in to make your own and I think that's awesome," says Momsen.

While each of the designers is unique, Jung Wan says they all find a way to create something that is sexy feminine and luxurious, while also being totally zen, even in the Big Apple.

Top Korean designer Choonmoo Park also celebrates Korean culture and couture.

"I appreciate a lot of Korean beauty, so I tried to build that kind of old, ancient beauty to modern beauty," Park says through an interpreter.

The coats, the draping, the belting and the collars all make for a look that reflects traditional Korean costumes but is still completely contemporary.