Fashion Industry Eyes Global Expansion and Strengthening Foundations in 2026
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
Korea’s fashion sector plans to prioritize strengthening fundamentals and global growth in 2026 amid weak domestic demand from high inflation and economic slowdown. Major groups are accelerating overseas moves: LF will push brands like Dunst (던스트) as global K-fashion leaders after strong China sales; Samsung C&T’s labels including 8Seconds and Beanpole are expanding storefronts in Southeast Asia; Hankook-based Hansome’s System Homme opened a permanent shop in Galeries Lafayette, Paris; and Musinsa formed a joint venture in China, opened stores in Shanghai and targets 100+ stores in five years. Fashion platforms are also diversifying into beauty—Musinsa, W Concept, Ably and Zigzag are boosting private-label cosmetics and beauty assortments. The industry sees potential upside from a possible lifting of the “Han-Han” restriction (한한령, China’s informal curbs on Korean cultural and consumer goods) and is betting on global markets rather than domestic volume growth.
