DENIMSANDJEANS

When Denimsandjeans (D&J) opens its first edition in Korea on 22 – 23 September, the programme will extend beyond the exhibition floor. The event will take place at The Platz, COEX, Seoul, located on the second floor.

D&J Korea will bring together students, designers, industry professionals and denim specialists for two days of conversations, creative work and exchange around a material that continues to adapt to the way people live.

Alongside the international denim and apparel supply chain exhibition, the inaugural

Korea edition will feature:

• A Student Denim Design Competition involving 13 Korean universities
• Industry seminars and discussions
• Design presentations
• A hands-on Korean denim workshop inspired by the Chuseok season

The exhibition will bring together denim and apparel companies from Korea, Vietnam, China, Türkiye, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, showcasing fabrics, garments and other industry capabilities showcasing SS28 & AW27- oriented fabrics and products.

Supporting the Next Generation Through Denim

One of the key programmes at D&J Korea will be the D&J Korea Student Denim Design Competition.

The competition is organised in collaboration with KTN News and supported by ATS International.

13 Korean Universities Taking Part

Students from the following universities will participate:

• Seoul National University
• Hanyang University
• Jeonbuk National University
• Chung-Ang University
• Hansei University
• Hongik University
• Sejong University
• University of Ulsan
• Korea University
• Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
• Yonsei University
• Sookmyung Women’s University
• Gyeonggi University of Science & Technology

Competition Theme: Denim in Motion

Rather than treating denim only as a traditional five-pocket fabric, participating students are encouraged to consider how it can respond to the changing ways people move through everyday life.

All participating garments will be displayed throughout both days of the event.

Guidance and International Perspectives

The students are being guided by Jihyun Park, Chief Product Designer at Hansae MK for Buckaroo and The B Archive in Korea.

The judging panel brings together experience from different parts of the global fashion industry.

Jihyun Park will be joined by:

• Daniel Sanchez, Head Designer at Mango, Spain
• Nikita Raman, Senior Designer, BOSS Womenswear, Germany

The judging session will take place on 23 September, from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM.

Fabric Support from TCE Denim and Arvind

TCE Denim, the only denim company with its headquarters in Korea, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. It was founded in 1956 and recognized as Asia’s oldest denim mill. With its deep-rooted connection to Korea’s denim industry, TCE Denim has also supported the next generation of denim talent by providing fabrics for the Korean Student Denim Design Challenge.

Arvind, one of India’s leading textile companies, has also contributed to the Student Denim Design Challenge by providing fabrics to participating students, bringing its expertise and Indian denim heritage to the competition.

SEMINARS / PANELS / TALKS

The programme at D&J Korea will also examine some of the questions currently shaping apparel design.

SEMINAR 01

ACTIVEWEAR vs. DENIM: FRIENDS OR FOE?

22 September | 1:30 PM

The seminar will explore the relationship between two categories that are increasingly influencing each other. The discussion will consider whether denim and activewear should be seen as separate categories or whether the future may increasingly lie in the exchange of ideas between them.

Speakers

Daniel Ou : Chief Product Officer, 2XU, Australia | 25+ years of experience | Formerly: On, lululemon and Gap

Daeun :  Founder & Creative Director of 2000Archives & 2000Atelier Kyndof Inc., Korea

Bong-Seok Gwon : CEO, BLR, Korea | Denim craftsmanship for more than 40 K-pop groups, including SEVENTEEN, ATEEZ and Stray Kids

Moderator

Yeo Kim :  EVP, Global Head of Design, Li & Fung, Hong Kong | 25+ years of experience
Formerly: Levi’s, Mavi and DKNY

SEMINAR 02

WHO DESIGNS DENIM? THE DESIGNER OR THE DATA?

23 September | 1:30 PM

Can data predict what people will want next? Or will the designer always lead the way?

Speakers

Nikita Raman : Senior Designer, BOSS Womenswear, Germany | 16+ years of experience | Formerly: Lee Jeans, Zara, Massimo Dutti, ONLY and s.Oliver

Jihyun Park :  Chief Designer, Hansae MK,  Buckaroo / The B Archive, Korea

Kelvin Wong :  Division Manager of Denim, Li & Fung | 25+ years of experience across design, product development, manufacturing and wash

Moderator

Daniel Ou :  Chief Product Officer, 2XU, Australia |  25+ years of experience | Formerly: On, lululemon and Gap

Additional Design Sessions

The D&J Korea programme will also include individual presentations focused on the future direction of denim.

Designed for Motion

22 September | 4:00 PM

“Designed for Motion: What Denim Can Learn From the Way We Live” The session will consider how changing lifestyles can influence the way denim is designed, developed and worn.

Speaker: Nikita Raman
Senior Designer, BOSS Womenswear, Germany

Denim Decoded

23 September | 10:30 AM

“Denim Decoded: The Art & Science of Fall 2027 Denim” , the presentation will explore the creative and technical thinking behind upcoming denim directions for Fall 2027.

Speaker: Yeo Kim
EVP, Global Head of Design, Li & Fung

A Korean Denim DIY Workshop Inspired by Chuseok

By Denim Tiger – Choigeon | 22 – 23 September | Both Days

Visitors will have the opportunity to create their own Denim Chuseok Lucky Bag. The activity introduces denim into a more personal and hands-on setting, allowing visitors to explore the material beyond its conventional use in garments.

D&J Korea : Two Days of Exchange

22 – 23 September 2026 | The Platz, COEX, Seoul (2nd Floor)

D&J Korea brings together Korean universities, designers and industry professionals with international speakers and companies from across the denim and apparel industry.

Across two days, the programme connects education, design and industry, creating opportunities for exchange between Korea’s design community and the wider international denim industry.

Registration Link : https://korea.denimsandjeans.com/invite