Designer Andre Kim gets into the lighting business

Korea's top fashion designer Andre Kim showcased his new lighting collection at a hotel in Seoul yesterday.

Under the title "Andre Kim Fashion Art Collection celebrating the Launch of Andre Kim Lighting", the designer introduced a wide selection of chandeliers he designed for Daebang Phostech, a local lighting company.

A total of 50 lighting products were at the show, highlighting Kim's luxurious and romantic style.

Kim said he found an inspiration in the mythical history of ancient kingdoms in Korea and Asia for his first lighting works.

After the Seoul debut, Kim's lighting collection will enter the European markets, starting next year, his office said.

During his career spanning more than four decades, Kim has become one of Korea's renowned fashion designers thanks to his signature designs and his trademark spacesuit-like white attire. Since 2001, the designer has ventured into the fashion license business, lending his name to such varied products as a lingerie line, eye wear, golf wear, cosmetics and children's wear.

He also made designed some products, such as Samsung's electric appliances, Kookmin Bank's card products and even the interior of Trapalace, a new luxury high-rise residential-commercial building in Seoul.

The 72-year-old designer also introduced his 2008 fall/winter fashion collection at yesterday's show.

Kim, famous for having star celebrities on his show, had Lee Ji-sun, top prize winner of the 2007 Miss Korea pageant, walking down the catwalk with other special guest models. A total of 170 pieces were showcased during the two-hour show.

The designer presented dresses mostly in white and black silk chiffon accentuated with embroidered sparkling spangles. Glittering silver-tone buttons and shoes, and somewhat simplified patterns used in the dress, added a futuristic twist to Kim's designs.

The designer is to host another fashion show Saturday at the 2007 Korea Drama Festival, which takes place in the southern city of Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province. With a number of Korean TV stars attending the event, Kim will stage his fashion designs inspired from silk made in Jinju.

By Cho Chung-un

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