Songzio
Company type | Private company |
---|---|
Industry | Fashion |
Founded | 1993 |
Headquarters | 54, Apgujeong-ro 42-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul , Korea |
Number of locations | 80 stores (2023) |
Key people | Jay Songzio (Creative Director, CEO) |
Products | High-end menswear, contemporary ready to wear, accessories for men and women |
Revenue | US$80 million (2021) |
Number of employees | 300 |
Subsidiaries | Songzio, Songzio Homme, Zzero, Ziosongzio, |
Website | www.songzio.com |
Songzio is a South Korean fashion house based in Paris and Seoul. Founded in 1993, Songzio is one of South Korea’s first designer houses that has served a foundational role in South Korea’s fashion industry. The brand is known for its artistic and avant garde aesthetics, and presents its collection during Paris Fashion Week.[1][2]
The brand operates 80 stores globally with two flagship stores in Paris, France and Seoul, South Korea. Songzio house features both womenswear and menswear with 5 labels: Songzio, flagship collection brand, Songzio Homme, contemporary menswear brand, Songzio Woman, contemporary womenswear brand, Zzero Songzio, youth label, and Ziosongzio, formalwear brand. The brand expanded significantly during the early 2020s under Jay Songzio’s creative direction, reporting an annual revenue of USD70 million in 2023.
History
[edit]The brand[3] was founded in Seoul in 1993 and has been a leading force in South Korea’s fashion industry, often referred to as one of Korean Fashion’s ‘Big Three’ with Wooyoungmi and Juun.J. From 1993 to 2006, the brand featured its menswear collection during Seoul Fashion Week[4] frequently featuring some of South Korea’s biggest stars such as Cha Seung-won, Lee Soo-hyuk, Bae Jung-nam.
Since 2006, Songzio featured its collection during Paris Fashion Week. Between 2016 and 2017, the brand was invited as guest designer to present its collection during London Fashion Week.[5]
In 2018, Jay Songzio[6] assumed the role of creative director and chief executive officer announcing rebranding and expansion of the brand.[7] From 2018 to 2023, the brand launched 4 new labels and expanded from a single flagship store in Seoul to over 80 stores globally.
Brands
[edit]Songzio,[8] founded in 1993, is Songzio house’s flagship brand featuring its avant garde and art to wear collection during Paris Fashion Week. The brand has three global flagship stores, two in Paris and one in Seoul. Songzio Homme[9] founded in 2018 is Songzio’s high end menswear brand. Zzero Songzio[10] founded in 2020 is Songzio’s youth label. Songzio Woman][11] founded 2025 is Songzio’s high end womenswear brand. Ziosongzio founded in 2003 is Songzio’s contemporary menswear brand.
Fashion
[edit]Songzio’s designs blend the past, present and future. The brand reimagines the pursuit of ideal beauty from the past while infusing modern and avant garde dynamism to its collection with a unique aesthetic that resonates with both classical ideals and contemporary energy. A sense order and disorder permeates through Songzio's art and collection.[12] Sculptural in stillness, yet fluid in motion, Songzio creates a unique avant garde elegance through oriental silhouette, avant garde design, and artisanal applications of Songzio’s original artworks.
Avant Garde Elegance
[edit]As a form of artistic expression, Songzio’s collections[13] emphasize distinctive avant-garde silhouettes, experimental patternmaking, technical details, and intricate original artworks. Balancing understated sophistication with creative freedom, Songzio achieves a balance between bold, experimental design and refined, minimalist Aesthetics (textile) creating a sense of intellectual stimulation and sensory excitement.
Cultural Convergence
[edit]Songzio is known for its distinct oriental silhouettes, which draw inspiration from traditional eastern costumes while incorporating western tailoring techniques. This results in garments that are fluid yet structured, offering a new interpretation of classic forms. The brand’s commitment to technical excellence is also evident in the intricate detailing of its garments[14] including precision in cutting, innovative seam work, and the use of advanced materials, all of which contribute to the brand’s signature look].[15]
Artistic Expression
[edit]Advocating an avant-garde approach, which seeks aesthetic innovation beyond traditional concepts of art and fashion, Songzio pushes the boundaries of its creative vision through collaborations[16] with various international artists resulting in unique collections that are rich in artistic expression and conceptual depth. Embracing cultural and artistic heritage, Songzio crafts its own unique concept of fashion through aesthetic innovation and pure creativity.[17]
Stores
[edit]Songzio operates over 80 stores[18] throughout the world in prestigious department stores and multi label stores notably, Printemps, Harvey Nichols, Shinsegae Department Stores, Hyundai Department Stores, Lotte Department Store as well as online retailers such as Farfetch, HBX.
The brand also operates two flagship Stores, one in Paris located le Marais, and one in Seoul called Galerie Noir[19]’ located in Gangnam district. The brand announced its plan to open its third flagship store in Paris and a fourth flagship store in New York City in 2025.
Songzio’s Seoul Flagship Store, Galerie Noir,[20] is five stories building featuring Songzio’s four labels and an art gallery featuring Korea’s young contemporary artists.
Collaborations
[edit]Songzio is known for its frequent collaborations[21] with international studios and artists. Songzio was the first Korean designer brand to collaborate with international icons such as The Walt Disney Company, Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas), Pixar[22] (Toy Story), and also Kpop artists such as Mino (rapper)[23] (SS21). Its latest The Walt Disney Company and Warner bros collaborations have become industry-wide hits and SONGZIO has colloquially been called the "King of Collaboration" in Korea. For 2025, the brand announced its collaboration with Star Wars and The Simpsons.
2020: The Walt Disney Company, Tim Burton
2021: Mino (rapper)]
2022: Pixar Studio
2023: The Walt Disney Company 100 Year Anniversary
2024: Warner bros, Reebok
2025: Star Wars, The Simpsons
References
[edit]- ^ https://www.songzio.com/layout/basic/detail3.html?product_no=2501&cate_no=71&display_group=1
- ^ https://en.songzio.com/layout/basic/collection1_all.html
- ^ https://www.songzio.com/layout/basic/homme.html
- ^ https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/10/12/culture/lifeStyle/korea-seoul-fashion-week-ddp/20221012140403730.html
- ^ https://hypebeast.com/2017/6/songzios-2018-spring-summer-collection
- ^ https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240609050088
- ^ https://www.nssmag.com/en/fashion/35510/songzio-fw24
- ^ https://en.songzio.com/layout/basic/songzio.html
- ^ https://en.songzio.com/layout/basic/homme.html
- ^ https://en.songzio.com/layout/basic/zzero.html
- ^ https://wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/south-korea-songzio-gears-up-paris-seoul-flagship-womenswear-line-new-york-plans-1236128316/
- ^ https://rain-mag.com/songzio-fall-winter-2023
- ^ https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20221005000768
- ^ https://theimpression.com/songzio-spring-2025-mens-fashion-show-details/
- ^ https://www.designscene.net/2022/06/songzio-ss23-menswear.html contribute to the brand’s signature look
- ^ https://rain-mag.com/songzios-pure-rebel-spring-summer-2024-campaign-redefines-rebellion-in-fashion
- ^ https://www.flaunt.com/post/songzio-ss25-bright-star-collection
- ^ https://www.songzio.com/layout/basic/store.html
- ^ https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240503050490
- ^ https://en.songzio.com/layout/basic/detail3.html?product_no=2400&cate_no=71&display_group=1
- ^ https://en.songzio.com/layout/basic/collaborations1_all.html
- ^ https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/277/0005236964?sid=101
- ^ https://www.stardailynews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=295190