Madame Woo explains the reasoning behind her latest capsule collection, in collaboration with the esteemed E-tailers
In music they call them ‘super groups’. It’s when two or more already famous musicians come together to form a new band, either as a short term project or as a longstanding entity. In fashion, the equivalent would be the ‘collaboration’. Often they’re based on two brands bringing different skills to the table. But of late, due to the ever-demanding cyclic behaviour of fashion, and the increased consumer thirst of punters, brands have also looked towards stores and shops as potential sartorial partners.
The latest such venture includes the South Korean, Paris-based brand Wooyoungmi and London’s Mr Porter. The site, the male counterpart to Net-a-Porter, has made a name for itself through high quality editorial content and, of late, collaborative capsule collections with some of the brands they stock. Not along ago Port got an exclusive preview look at the AMI collection they produced with Alexandre Matiussi. Now, on the back of the SS14 collections, Mr Porter and Madame Woo, the creative director and founder of Wooyoungmi, are presenting a small and exclusive take on a capsule wardrobe. Using the same colour scheme as the current SS14 offering, but adding the handiwork of illustrator Kyung Woo Han, the duo have not only furthered the existing seasonal message, but also created a new and unique snap shot of a time and place that’s wearable. No super group can ever do that…
Did Kyung Woo Han work on the mainline collection as well, if so on what?
Each season we commission an artist to reinterpret the collection for a series of works. For SS14, Kyung Woo Han focused on the inspiration of the SS14 collection – that of a desert landscape, manipulating the cactus greens, sky blue and sandy terracotta. Kyung’s interpretation inspired the capsule in an almost cyclical nature.
One of the key elements of the SS14 collection were the horizontal stripes which featured throughout several different looks, Kyung Woo Han took the stripes that feature heavily throughout the 
SS14 collection and created this print for the SS14 advertising campaign. For the Mr Porter collaboration we then took this print a step further and applying directly to the garments.
Who is he, where did you first come in contact with him?
Kyung Woo Han is a South Korean artist who we had been aware of for some time. We felt his minimalist aesthetic would work seamlessly with the SS14 collection.
“Each season I have a clear vision in my mind of the the man I am designing for”
Can you describe the print?
The print is as though you are peering out of a window at a beautiful desert landscape, adopting the sandy terracotta, blues of the sky and cactus green.
Why these garments? Are they key to a small capsule wardrobe?
We aimed to create a full wardrobe of summer basics that every man needs. The collection offers casual and refined daywear ideal for the warmer months: each part works individually but also cohesively as full looks.
Is there anything in this collection that is a Wooyoungmi staple piece?
Re-imagining a classic men’s coat is key to all Wooyoungmi collections so adopting Han’s prints to create the reversible bomber jacket for the capsule collection seemed to be the perfect summer item.
How would you define the brand, what is its DNA?
Each season I have a clear vision in my mind of the the man I am designing for. He is refined and elegant – a gentleman who appreciates the arts and takes care in his appearance. The pieces he wears are contemporary and masculine yet delicate in approach.
Why does a capsule collection with Mr Porter make sense, what connects the two brands?
For us it is very important to work with those who understand of our brand and the team at Mr Porter have a very clear understanding of our brand and of who the Wooyoungmi man is, allowing us to create a capsule collection of items that are functional, utilitarian and a clear evolution from our spring summer mainline.
More info on Wooyoungmi x Mr Porter HERE
