Milan Loves Seoul is where Italian elegance meets Korean innovation, showcasing design as a bridge between two vastly different cultures.
When Italian heritage meets Korean creativity, the result is more than fashion — it is a new form of cultural dialogue expressed through products, design, and innovation. That is the essence of Milan Loves Seoul, the cross-cultural platform co-founded by Marcella Di Simone and Ylenia Basagni through their initiative BEYOND BORDERS.
Milan Loves Seoul was born out of a desire to create a space where these two powerful creative forces could meet, inspire each other, and create meaningful collaborations.
Ylenia Basagni
From Seoul Fashion Week to Milan Loves Seoul
The roots of Milan Loves Seoul go back to Seoul Fashion Week 2022, when Marcella and Ylenia first experienced the energy and originality of Korea’s creative scene. Inspired by K-pop, Korean design, and the bold atmosphere of the city, they recognized the potential for a cultural bridge between Seoul and Milan.
This experience gave birth to the concept of Milan Loves Seoul — a platform that would connect Italian elegance with Korean innovation, giving space for designers from both countries to showcase their creativity together.
A Cultural Conversation Through Products
Marcella and Ylenia describe Milan Loves Seoul not simply as an exhibition but as an exchange of ideas made tangible through products and design. Italian craftsmanship embodies tradition, refinement, and elegance, while Korean creators bring innovation, contemporary energy, and fresh perspectives.
The result is a collection of creations that embody both worlds. From fashion pieces to lifestyle objects, the products reflect a dialogue between two cultures, each enhancing the other.
Milan represents timeless elegance and craftsmanship, while Seoul brings boldness, innovation, and a fresh creative voice. The connection we’re building is about celebrating these differences while also finding common ground, especially among the new generation of designers, artists, and creatives who are shaping the future of both industries.
Ylenia Basagni
Empowering Independent Designers
A central goal of Milan Loves Seoul is to provide opportunities for independent designers who might otherwise struggle to reach global audiences. By presenting their work in Seoul, the event opens doors to new markets, allowing emerging brands to engage with consumers and industry leaders in Asia.
For Korean designers, the collaboration creates visibility in the European fashion system. For Italian designers, it offers access to Seoul’s trendsetting scene and to audiences who are increasingly shaping global consumer culture.
Our goal is to help Korean and Italian brands not only be seen, but understood and positioned for long-term success in Europe and South Korea.
Marcella Di Simone
Building Bridges, Not Just Showcases
Marcella and Ylenia emphasize that Milan Loves Seoul is not about simply showcasing one culture to another. Instead, it is about creating a bridge where traditions meet innovation. Each edition of the event is designed as an evolving conversation, where products are not just displayed but become symbols of collaboration.
By focusing on this cross-cultural dialogue, it establishes itself as more than a seasonal fashion event. It becomes a platform where Italian elegance and Korean creativity continuously inspire one another.
Italian and Korean creatives have different ways of expressing beauty, structure, and purpose. But when these differences are embraced rather than erased, something truly magical happens. We act as cultural translators as much as curators.
Marcella Di Simone
Milan Loves Seoul IV: A Platform for Creative Exchange
Milan Loves Seoul is not just a fashion event, it’s a curated cultural bridge. What makes it unique is its collaborative spirit: we involve designers, artists, musicians, and creatives from both countries to create something together. It’s not about showcasing one culture to another; it’s about blending perspectives, co-creating, and giving visibility to new voices that deserve to be heard on a global stage.
Ylenia Basagni
As Milan Loves Seoul returns to Seoul for its fourth edition, it continues to demonstrate how fashion and design products can carry cultural meaning beyond borders. The event is both a celebration of creativity and a practical opportunity for designers to gain international recognition.
For Marcella and Ylenia, the success of Milan Loves Seoul is measured not only in the collections presented but in the lasting collaborations and relationships it creates between Italian and Korean innovators.
The Milan Loves Seoul IV Edition is set to take place on September 6–7, 2025, in the vibrant Seongsu district, Seoul’s hub of creativity and style. This edition will bring together independent Italian fashion designers, Korean creatives, and cultural partners for two days of fashion, art, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Meet the Founders Behind Milan Loves Seoul
Marcella Di Simone
Ylenia Basagni
Final Thoughts
Milan Loves Seoul is more than a showcase of style — it is a space where products become the language of cultural exchange. By bringing together Italian elegance and Korean innovation, the platform highlights how creativity can transcend boundaries and create something new, meaningful, and globally relevant.
For the full interview, check the KPopPost website.
Website: https://milanloveseoul.com/
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