In recent years, Korean fashion has rapidly gained deserved recognition, catching the attention of fashionistas around the world — especially in menswear. In the streets of Seoul, stylish men dominate, taking over the city with their effortlessly chic looks. From long, black wool overcoats with structured shoulders and velveteen pants to oversized hoodies with bold graphics and customised sneakers, menswear in the Korean capital is exciting and dynamic.
But what makes Korea seem ahead of the curve when it comes to menswear, especially compared to other countries where womenswear is the dominant force? The trend may have started in the early ‘90s, and some attribute this momentum to the ‘blank slate’ Korean designers were given. Without the weight of traditional menswear expectations, they were free to explore and innovate. This, combined with the androgynous look that has taken hold, makes the engagement of Seoul's men with fashion particularly thrilling. And Sling Stone’s Spring/Summer 2026 show embraces this very excitement.
Founded in 2005 by designer JongChul Park, the brand has gradually curated an aesthetic influenced by streetwear, yet always pushing toward a tone that is both sophisticated and futuristic. In 2012, Sling Stone won the Asia Fashion Awards Asian Designer Award, and their latest collection, showcased at Seoul Fashion Week, exemplifies their evolution. The show featured androgynous silhouettes, deconstruction, and bold textural contrasts: an exploration of materials and structural innovation.
With one eye on the future and the other on tradition, Sling Stone blended organic materials like linen and silk with futuristic synthetics such as neoprene, vinyl, and metallic fabrics, creating a striking tension between the natural and the artificial. Still deeply influenced by streetwear, the brand reinterprets Korea’s urban aesthetics from the 1950s and ‘60s to heighten the blend of tradition and innovation. Baggy clothing and chunky accessories are paired with Korean paper motifs and Taegeuk patterns —symbols of balance and harmony—, alongside more rural influences, such as what appear to be beekeeper-like hats. The colour palette, dominated by muted blacks and whites, evoke a vintage Korean atmosphere, adding depth to the brand’s unique take on urban fashion.
With delicate and transparent fabrics, polka dots, pinstripe suits, and shiny details, Sling Stone continues to push the boundaries of menswear. Each collection reveals new layers of their evolving aesthetic, balancing conceptual innovation with wearable designs. As they continue to mature as a brand, Sling Stone is carving out its place in the fashion world — and we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on their next steps.
