The collection name ‘CLÉ: NEO OBSESSION’ comes from 3 different K-Pop groups. ‘CLÉ’ is the French translation of Key, It comes from an album series released by Stray Kids, it consists of three album, “Clé 1: MIROH”, “Clé 2: Yellow Wood”and the final being “Clé: Levanter”. Throughout the series Stray Kids have been desperately searching for the key to their happiness and success. In the trilogy’s finale, “Levanter,” the members find that they were the keys all along. This trilogy built upon the themes of coming-of-age and identity, I feel like it is appropriate for this collection as I have never done an ‘edgy’ streetwear style, so in a way its broadening my knowledge and is my own coming-of-age story.

 

‘NEO’ comes from NCT 127’s studio album “NEOZONE: The Final Round”. I was inspired by their first single off of Neo Zone, “Kick It”, visually, it’s a martial arts concept with nods to iconic kung fu films of the ‘70s. In terms of sound, “Kick It” represents both where NCT 127 has come from (the heavy, darker moments from older tracks like “Cherry Bomb,”) and where they’re going: self-assured, bold, and into their own take on the pop, hip-hop, and R&B hybrid sound that feels ever-present in pop music right now, another example of a coming-of-age story.

 

“OBSESSION” comes from an album concept created by EXO. EXO’s concept for the album facing off with their evil and sinister halves/doppelgängers, known as “X-EXO”. Their title track, which is also the name of their album, “Obsession” is a song thick with bass, hip-hop and R&B, that is so smooth yet hard-hitting at the same time. The music video shows the EXO members facing off in different battles against X-EXO with their corresponding superpowers, this concept shows alter-egos, a darker, edgier side of themselves, this is what I want to portray in my collection.

 

Using these ideas and concepts I want to create a collection that includes them. Taken from multiple K-pop groups (not only the one mentioned above) I want to dissect the outfits and concepts worn/portrayed by the male groups and covert them into female edgy streetwear. A coming-of-age/alter ego collection to show a different side of me that hasn’t been explored before.