For Sohee Park, couture is a form of escapism – turning dreams into reality through fabric, structure and embellishment. The South Korean designer launched Miss Sohee, her London-based label, in 2020, swiftly rising to prominence as one of the most talked-about couture houses. With a devoted celebrity following that includes Camila Cabello, Bella Hadid and Lisa of Blackpink, Park’s creations have cemented her status as an upcoming force in the industry. Her designs are theatrical with dramatic silhouettes – think a chantilly lace bodysuit with leather corsetry or a column dress with a large shell-shaped panel jutting from the waist. “My creative process always begins with a vision, often inspired by art, history, culture and nature,” explains Park.
Kevin Germanier
Swiss designer Kevin Germanier is a familiar name in the Paris fashion circuit, known among industry insiders for his bold, sustainability-driven approach. He launched his eponymous label in 2018, quickly proving that upcycling can be as extravagant as it is ethical. Renowned for transforming discarded materials into dazzling, futuristic creations, Germanier has dressed icons such as Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift.
This year, he debuted his first haute couture collection, Les Globuleuses, at the Paris Haute Couture Week, cementing his status as a true industry disruptor. The high-octane collection reimagined upcycling via his avant-garde designs, especially a dress created in an unlikely collaboration with Caran d’Ache, the historic Swiss manufacturer of art materials better known for their coloured pencils. “I’m always pushing the boundaries of texture. We upcycled many old pencils and pencil cases alongside other materials that Caran d’Ache gave us from past productions. You wouldn’t realise the piece was made from pencils – it simply looked like a beautifully embroidered dress,” he says.
Elsewhere, a vintage Givenchy jacket was…
