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Nora Noh

Illuminate the nuances

 

THE STORY

If history is key, NORA NOH certainly understands how to dress the modern woman, who is at once an independent thinker and a style leader. Relaunched in Spring 2014, NORA NOH pays homage to the iconic style and strength of the fashion house’s eponymous founder and designer, Nora Noh.


Named South Korea’s fashion doyenne, Nora Noh was respected not only for her craftsmanship and sensibilities, but also her character's strength. A confident, independent woman, Noh travelled across the world alone to Los Angeles in the 1940’s from South Korea to learn fashion design— a bold move unheard of at the time. 


She didn’t stop there: afterwards, she brought modern fashion—miniskirts, Mod jackets— back to South Korea, staging the country’s first fashion show. She founded the successful House of NORA NOH in 1950. The collection was loved by worldly clientele, who would visit her salons at Henry Bendel, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, for her sharp tailoring and beautiful looks.


Today, the family heritage lives on, as the DNA is carried on by niece and Creative Director, Kumra Chung and grand-niece, Jean Pak. The collections are inspired by a collaborative family effort of countless hours spent on the floor creating new designs and inspirations. 

The same sensibility with which Noh mixed high-end designer pieces with strong, tailored menswear inspired items informs Kumra’s and Jean’s vision to inspire confidence and vitality in women both young and old.

Nora Noh’s Spring 2016 collection explores interpretations of the cycle of life, both nuanced and literal in color, pattern, shape and detail.  Celebrating the birth of life, there is an earthy palette of gradient tones, greens and neutrals, heightened with airy blues and pinks.  Cascading tulle, undulating waves, fluttering dresses all commemorate the beauty of life.   This is juxtaposed by the harsh reality of the end of life: death.  The sharp cuts and hemlines are accentuated by cool greys and black. Though initially melancholy, it can be seen as a fresh start to a new beginning. The contrast of the lushness of life with the reality of death evokes a season marked by beautiful, stark elegance.