With K-pop taking the world by storm, it is no surprise that all things Korean spanning from food to beauty and fashion are gaining massive popularity. In the realm of fashion, South Korea has cemented its status as a fashion capital, with the rest of the world monitoring the nation closely for the latest trends. Korean bag brands have been making a name for themselves lately for their reasonable price points, quality craftsmanship and timeless designs. From sleek and minimalist to bold and playful, these brands offer diverse styles to suit every taste and occasion. Ahead, GRAZIA Singapore spotlights five hottest homegrown bag brands from South Korea. Bonus? They’re all carried by your favourite K-pop IT girls.
1. Stand Oil
With the brand motto ‘daily bags always available for daily lives’, Stand Oil promises bags that add a breeze of inspiration to your lifestyle. It prides itself on being a sustainable fashion brand with bags meticulously crafted from vegan leather. The brand has recently unveiled its spring collection, with our top picks being the Baguette bag and More bag for their everyday functionality and undeniable sophistication.
Without question, the Chubby bag is the most coveted bag on social media right now after Le Sserafim’s Yunjin took it to Instagram to share her new arm candy. She added a personal touch by accessorising the bag with red ribbons, beaded trinkets and a mascot keychain.
2. OSOI
OSOI translates to ‘slow’ or ‘relaxed’ in Japanese, conveying the brand’s unwavering commitment to slow fashion. Founded in 2016 by Kang Heejin, OSOI is known for their quiet luxury bags that stand the test of time. Their line of bags feature androgynous designs and geometric silhouettes that also appeal to its male clientele.
Some of the brand’s standout pieces include the Hobo Brockle Bag and Toni Mini Bag, as seen on Hyein from NewJeans. While the bags come with a higher price tag, you can be assured that you’re investing in quality.
3. Marge Sherwood
Retro and modernity collide in Marge Sherwood, a women’s handbag brand established in 2013 by designers Um Sungeun and Kim Soonyoung. They drew inspiration from ‘90s pop culture and named the label after the female character in the 1999 film, The Talented Mr. Ripley whose unwavering confidence, intelligence and independence shaped the brand’s image. With a fusion of modern and vintage aesthetics, they offer bags cast in rich colours and unique textures.
The brand is adored by Red Velvet’s Wendy as the star was spotted donning not just one but two bags: the Zipper Small Bag in blue and the Grandma Mini Bag in brown.
4. Samo Ondoh
Samo Ondoh was born out of the creative vision of two designers who overcame their artistic differences to forge ‘a common idea of the same temperature’. If minimalism isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps Samo Ondoh’s bold statement bags that come in loud metallic or animal prints will surely catch your eye. Consider spicing up your accessory game with their line of playful mascot bag charms.
A current hot favourite among K-pop celebrities is the Pocket Mug Bag, which has been seen on Mamamoo’s Moonbyul, G-idle’s Soyeon and Le Sserafim’s Chaewon.
5. Christine Project
Credit: Christine Project
Credit: Christine Project
Calling all big bag girlies, we’ve discovered the perfect bag brand for you. Christine Project was founded on the philosophy of crafting stylish and functional bags designed specifically for working women with fast-paced lifestyles. The label offers a wide selection of bags from handbags to bucket bags and backpacks. Its spacious interior allows you to accommodate all your daily essentials, including your tech gadgets. Made from lightweight material, these bags are ideal for those who prioritise comfort.
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