KO
- Samsung C&T Fashion Group marks the 21st year of the Samsung Fashion & Design Fund (SFDF), a program dedicated to supporting rising Korean designers with global potential
- This year, designer Jaden Cho of JADEN CHO has been selected as the 21st SFDF winner, recognized for his refined reinterpretation of Korean aesthetics and couture-inspired craftsmanship
For 21 years, the Samsung Fashion & Design Fund (SFDF) has supported emerging Korean designers who demonstrate strong creative potential on the global stage. Launched in 2005, the program was founded on Samsung’s belief in fostering talent and contributing to cultural and societal development. As part of Samsung C&T’s broader commitment to public good, SFDF continues to invest in the growth of fashion and design, core pillars of the company’s business and identity.
Marking its 21st year, SFDF once again highlights the rising names shaping the future of Korean fashion, selecting designers whose work reflects both artistic vision and global promise.
JADEN CHO: Modern Korean Aesthetics Reimagined
This year’s SFDF winner, Jaden Cho (@jaden__cho), impressed judges from Samsung C&T Fashion Group and industry experts with his craftsmanship, artistic sensibility, and refined reinterpretation of Korean aesthetics. His womenswear label JADEN CHO earned high scores for originality and construction quality, reflecting a clear creative identity.
Born in 1991, Cho studied Fashion Design at Kookmin University before completing a Master’s degree in Womenswear at the Royal College of Art in London. In 2021, he became Creative Director of UMBER POSTPAST and launched his own label in the same year, establishing a foundation built on both international perspective and technical depth.
At its core, JADEN CHO expresses romance, joy, and quiet elegance through couture-inspired techniques. The brand’s collections emphasize material quality and hand-finished detail, featuring signature floral and geometric motifs that create a harmonious, modern visual language.
Cho approaches design as a way to articulate the layered character of Seoul—its sophistication, creative energy, and subtle contrasts. This perspective has gained global recognition, including the V&A Museum’s 2023 acquisition of his 22SS Lemon Tulip Quilt Dress, acknowledging both its artistic and technical merit.
Expanding Artistic Collaborations and Global Presence
JADEN CHO continues to explore new expressions of Korean aesthetics through a range of artistic collaborations and exhibitions. At the 2025 Royal Palace Culture Festival, the brand presented Shining Stars, a signature quilted work displayed at Changgyeonggung Palace’s Binyangmun Gate. In 2024, the brand worked with Italian material innovator Alcantara to create an exhibition dress that highlighted its sculptural silhouette, and also partnered with Hera from Amorepacific to reinterpret the elegance of Seoul through a capsule of beauty products.
The brand’s presence extends beyond Korea. JADEN CHO operates a flagship store in Seoul’s Bukchon district along with its official online store. Internationally, the brand is available at Barneys New York Ginza in Tokyo and IINC in Hangzhou, forming a foundation for continued global expansion following the SFDF award.
Supporting the Next Generation of Korean Fashion Talent
In addition to selecting this year’s winner, SFDF is presenting a dedicated JADEN CHO exhibition at BEAKER Cheongdam through December 2. The space reimagines the brand’s floral motifs in black-and-white graphics to highlight its emotional and modern aesthetic. The exhibition features the made-to-order BY APPOINTMENT line, characterized by handcraft techniques and experimental construction, as well as the sustainable PURE SILK line created from unused silk materials.
SFDF also selected three finalists whose work reflects strong creative direction and international potential:
- BONBOM – designer Bonbom Cho (@__bonbom)
- JUNTAE KIM – designer Juntae Kim (@juuntaekim)
- OKIIO LOUNGE – designer Junhyuk Yoon (@okiiolounge)
The SFDF winner receives USD 100,000, while each finalist receives KRW 10 million or ± USD 7,000 to support their creative activities.
Since its launch in 2005, SFDF has supported 63 emerging Korean designer teams, offering both financial resources and global exposure. The program continues to focus on identifying designers who balance creativity with business potential and who contribute meaningfully to the future of K-fashion.
“Through the designers who join SFDF each year, we see the evolving direction and promise of Korean fashion,” said Jung-won Shin, Head of the SFDF Secretariat. “We remain committed to discovering and supporting the next generation of designers who carry this potential forward
