KANGHYUK
KANGHYUK is a South Korean menswear label founded in 2017 by Kanghyuk Choi and Sanglak Shon. It is known for turning unconventional materials, above all deployed car airbags, into utilitarian everyday clothing.
| Founded | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Kanghyuk Choi, Sanglak Shon |
| Origin | South Korea |
| Signature material | Vehicle airbags |
| Website | kanghyuk.com |
What is KANGHYUK?
KANGHYUK is a designer menswear label from South Korea, created by Kanghyuk Choi with Sanglak Shon in 2017. The label grew out of Choi's Master's graduation project at the Royal College of Art in London.
History
The idea behind the brand came after Choi witnessed a car accident in which the airbags deployed. He was drawn to the airbag's printed barcodes, logos, holes and stitching, and the repetition of these details became a signature of his collections.
Products and positioning
KANGHYUK produces utilitarian menswear inspired by the early twentieth century. The collections keep classic ready to wear silhouettes but experiment with distressing, stitching patterns, textiles and washes. Outerwear dominates, alongside accessories.
- Jackets and parkas made from repurposed airbag fabric
- Windbreakers and outer layers
- Caps and small accessories
The Autumn/Winter 2020 collection, for example, was mostly outerwear and included an airbag cap, a vegan parka and a windbreaker.
Distribution
The label is stocked by international designer retailers, including online platforms such as SSENSE, as well as independent boutiques.
Why it matters
KANGHYUK is an example of a young Korean designer label building an international profile through material reuse, giving industrial waste a second life as menswear.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded KANGHYUK?
KANGHYUK was founded in 2017 by designer Kanghyuk Choi together with Sanglak Shon.
What is KANGHYUK known for?
The label is known for menswear made from repurposed vehicle airbags and other unconventional materials.