8 Best Designer Brands to Watch in 2025

Gone are the days when foreign brands ruled the scene—today, Korean designer labels are all the rage with the 20-30 crowd. Take Matin Kim, for example, which hit global stardom after its December 2024 collab with the luxury brand, Coach, and along with Stand Oil and Mardi Mercredi, it's taking over Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. Here’s a peek at 7 of Korea's trendiest fashion brands you need to know in 2025!

Starting as a personal market in 2015, this fashion brand hit about 5 billion KRW in sales within just 5 years. The name comes from the French word for morning, “martin,” and the first CEO's last name, “Kim.” Known for its trendy yet comfortable style, the brand has become a hit among women in their 20s and 30s in Korea. Their logo-adorned clothes and feminine shoulder bags are the bestsellers. TWS Dohoon and aespa Ning Ning are known to wear Matin Kim clothes at the airport!

A brand that quickly gained success with its timeless, gender-neutral, and sustainable bags. Each season, they reinterpret trends with Stand Oil’s minimalistic design. Focusing on handbags made from vegan leather, their bestsellers include the oblong bag and various shoulder bags. Aside from bags, their cute silhouette shoes are also a fan favorite.

Launched in 2017 under the slogan "every moment is special," the brand is called 'emis,' derived from the initials. Thanks to its popularity in Korea, it has opened pop-up stores in Thailand, Taiwan, and Japan. While it has several locations, the flagship store in Myeongdong is the largest and attracts many international visitors. Its main product is a casual-style baseball cap.

A designer brand launched in 2016, offering not just clothing but also trendy accessories like phone cases and hair ties. It’s a go-to brand for K-pop idols, with (G)I-DLE's Minnie rocking a pink baseball cap and Miyeon showcasing it in her airport fashion. Groups like LE SSERAFIM, NMIXX, and IVE are also big fans. Known for its Y2K-inspired prints and playful designs, the brand captures a nostalgic yet stylish vibe, making it a must-have for fashion trendsetters.

Launched in 2018, this brand gained major popularity with its floral-patterned pieces from the 2019 S/S collection, becoming a must-have among Korean women. The best-selling items are tops featuring the brand’s signature design, with T-shirts and sweatshirts being the most popular. With a relaxed fit and feminine patterns, these pieces are perfect for casual outings or date night looks!

Sienne means “hers” in French. The brand focuses on three key elements: refined materials, quirky details, and effortless silhouettes. Known for its minimal yet feminine aesthetic, it’s especially popular among women in their late 20s to early 30s. Sienne has also held pop-up stores at Ginza Mitsukoshi and Nagoya Takashimaya.

Founded in 1972, this French casual brand has recently seen a resurgence among the Korean MZ generation. The Myeongdong store is especially popular with Japanese travelers, who make up most of its sales, making it a favorite among international visitors! The store offers not only clothing and bags but also keychains, accessories, and small items, making it a great spot for gift shopping.

A girlish and romantic designer brand, loved by women in their 20s and 30s in Korea. Recently, it has successfully expanded into China and Japan. The brand reinterprets seasonal fashion trends like blockcore and balletcore into everyday wear. In offline stores, you can find items from the 'Sion Seoul' line, which captures both the brand's design and the spirit of Seoul.