SON JUNG WAN Lights Up NYFW With “Blazing Opulence”

In the midst of a frigid New York winter, SON JUNG WAN returned to New York Fashion Week to unveil her 2026 F/W collection, “Blazing Opulence.” The runway show took place on February 14 in Chelsea’s IAC Building, overlooking the Hudson River. It was a full house with audience members wrapped in long coats and anticipation alike, gathering to witness the designer’s signature aesthetic of sophistication and drama. After the stunning show, EnVi got the chance to chat with Son backstage, giving insight to her creative process and her thoughts on the prospects of the ever-developing fashion industry.

SON JUNG WAN’s previous Spring/Summer collection, “The Beauty of Being,” drew from the inner world rather than from worldly things. “Blazing Opulence” continues this narrative, redefining glamour and lavishness of opulence through intentional design choices. Son reaffirmed this collection is part of SON JUNG WAN’s evolution in articulating confidence and resilience of the inner self. She sought to redefine “design through opulence [and was] inspired by sustainable value towards a new vision of modern luxury.” If the previous collection explored greatness in “being,” then this collection continues that journey, trading outward grandeur for within.

This season’s palette consisted of rich, vivid colors. Deep brick colors such as wine violet, russet orange, and burgundy are perfect for the fall and winter. These classic and mature colors, representing stability and integrity with one’s inner strength, were balanced with bright, playful colors, bringing a sense of joy and optimistic vitality. Mint green, teal blues, and sunflower yellow caught eyes as the models took to the runway. The models themselves sported vibrant eyeshadow along with their outfits, bringing the looks into harmony.

Our favorite looks of the night included this deep purple wool jacket and matching miniskirt. The big buttons of the jacket gave a lively twist to the timeless colors and silhouette of the outfit.

We also loved this russet brown and orange striped jumpsuit, completed with a wide leather belt. This piece is representative of the ways that Son plays with shape and form. Defining characteristics of the collection included rounded shoulders, draping shawls, and flowy jumpsuits — the opposite of the clad and snug fitting attire we think of when it comes to winterwear.

Maize yellow was a focal point of many looks — such as this men’s yellow wool jacket layered with a dark cashmere scarf as well as this yellow and brown tweed top with a matching skirt, decorated with needle punch and metallic details.

One of the last looks of the show was a burgundy floor length jumpsuit, layered with a navy wool shawl with burgundy detailing on the sleeves and collar. Instead of buttons, the shawl was held together with slim harness straps that asymmetrically wrapped around the bodice and naturally laid loose where untied. The loose hanging straps of the shawl resembled the goreum, long ribbon ties that hold together the jacket of a hanbok. The high sitting bodice with the high waisted pants of the jumpsuit, which flowed with each step as if brushed with a breeze, created a shape that veered closer to a dress. This, combined with the long-sleeved shawl, fabricated a silhouette that further reminded us of a hanbok, with the slim upper garment and flowy voluminous lower garment. This design could be attributed to the same signature qualities of a hanbok, to move comfortably, gracefully, and with the elegance of a royal.

As the only Korean designer who showcases at NYFW every season, Son continues to represent Korean culture and excellence on one of the biggest global stages for fashion. When asked to name one thing from Korean clothing culture, whether that be fabric, technique, or style, that deserves more attention, Son said, “Yangdan — It’s a type of Korean silk.” Yangdan is a thick fabric usually woven with traditional patterns, characterized by its subtle sheen and luxurious feel, and frequently used for winter hanboks and other ceremonial Korean garb.

This season’s collection dealt with a variety of textiles, from the reliable and functional wool, felt, and padding, to luxurious fabrics such as cashmere, alpaca, mohair, and satin. The layering and contrast of these textures is attributed to the collection’s vision of the balance between sophistication and emerging visions — precisely the contemporary character of modern opulence. Other faux furs and fabrics included mink,muskrat fur, and vegan leather. The focus on sustainability in this collection continues to direct SON JUNG WAN toward a sustainable future that is congruent with the imagery of nature.

With 54 stores in Asia and 110 points of global sale, Son has long proven herself as a veteran in the fashion industry, but she continues to treat each runway show not only as an opportunity to showcase her skills and expertise, but as a method of study. In the rapid moving scope of fashion, it’s undeniable that AI has begun to reshape the way that designers conceptualize, research, and produce, yet Son underscores the value of human intuition in her creative process. “AI is important, but they have no emotion. Heart is the most important thing,” Son said.

We thought so too, and it’s more than evident in the collection’s precise and emotionally grounded craftsmanship. Through bold colors, intricate detailing, and striking textures, Son brings out the warmth of resilience and confidence that manifests from within and emerges in blazing trails.

To explore more of SON JUNG WAN’s work, be sure to check out their Instagram and their website — sonjungwan.com.

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