Fashion
Flourishing South Korean menswear aims to strengthen international standing
Published
December 17, 2025
In 2025, South Korean fashion takes another step up on the global stage. In a sector where technological innovations are redefining production processes, South Korea stands out for its ability to turn these developments into drivers of growth and global appeal, according to a Spherical Insights study published in November.
According to the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), almost $27 million is set to be invested in 2025 to strengthen the national textile value chain.
This policy forms part of a broader strategy that provides more than $19 billion in support for firms operating in industrial textiles, the creation of an Industrial Textile Alliance, and a certification centre for technical products. The aim is to lift digital transformation across the sector from 35% to 60% and increase South Korea’s share of the global markets for industrial and sustainable textiles from 2-3% to 10% by 2030.
A dynamic domestic market
These ambitions are underpinned by an already robust industry. In 2024, South Korea imported $12.37 billion worth of clothing, including $5.08 billion in menswear. Exports totalled almost $2 billion, of which $1.7 billion comprised synthetic textiles and crocheted fabrics. This momentum reinforces a domestic market characterised by diverse demand, rapid trend adoption and strong cultural influence.
At the heart of this evolution lies the global rise of Korean menswear. Korean brands stand out for their attention to detail, mastery of cut and tailoring, and a strong appetite for exploring experimental materials, bold silhouettes and assertive colours. This stylistic approach, oscillating between minimalism and exuberance, meets a growing demand for pieces capable of expressing individual identity, according to the study.
Exports to be developed
The trends for 2025 confirm this direction: oversized cuts, unique patterns, bright colours, sustainable materials, a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles, as well as layering, athleisure and gender-fluid fashion, are at the forefront. From oversized kimono-polos to two-tone pink shirts, the Korean aesthetic offers a balance of comfort, experimentation and sophistication.
This creative ecosystem is supported by a myriad of ‘flagship’ brands. Names already recognised worldwide such as Gentle Monster, Andersson Bell, Kusikohc, Hyein Seo and We11done fuel the country’s international aura through their distinct worlds, blending art, streetwear, craftsmanship and conceptual design. In 2025, other labels are taking centre stage: Ader Error and its deconstructivist streetwear, Wooyoungmi and its modern tailoring, ThisIsNeverThat and its distinctly Korean take on streetwear, as well as 87MM, Recto, Amomento, PushButton and Minjukim, whose gender-fluid offerings are gaining visibility.
By combining massive public investment, a capacity for innovation, cultural richness and creative power, South Korea is putting its fashion industry on an upward trajectory in 2025. It can be seen not only as an exporter of aesthetics, but also as a key player in technical and sustainable textiles, with the ambition of playing a central role in contemporary global fashion.
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Stäubli will showcase innovative solutions designed to empower mills to produce the next generation of advanced fabrics.
Stäubli will showcase advanced weaving solutions at Techtextil 2026, highlighting technologies for high-performance technical textiles such as 3D composites and industrial fabrics.
Key exhibits include the MAGMA tying machine, TF series weaving systems, and UNIVAL Jacquard, enabling precision, efficiency, and flexibility for next-generation applications.
Stäubli will exhibit its trend-setting technologies at the Swiss Pavilion Booth B01.6 in Hall 12.0.
Technical Textiles: A market accelerating toward high-performance innovation
The global rise in demand for reinforcement fabrics, multilayer structures, 3D composites, and high value industrial textiles is reshaping manufacturing expectations. Reliable equipment, flexible weaving architectures, and precise material handling have become essential for weaving mills pursuing new applications and higher performance products. This expansion underscores the critical role of advanced weaving solutions in meeting evolving industry needs. Stäubli’s decades long know how in technical weaving positions the company as a key contributor to this transition.
Stäubli weaving systems are widely used to produce demanding technical fabrics — from lightweight reinforcement materials, OPW airbags, to filtration fabrics, medical textiles, and specialized industrial materials.
By combining cutting edge mechanical engineering, advanced electronic control, and long term customer support, Stäubli ensures stable performance and high fabric quality across all applications.
Stäubli Solutions to discover at Techtextil 2026
At this year’s edition, Stäubli will display its MAGMA Tying Machine, a robust and high efficiency solution specifically engineered to handle the increasingly diverse and demanding yarns used in today’s technical textile applications, including polypropylene tapes and other challenging filament structures. MAGMA delivers consistent tying quality while reducing the downtime traditionally associated with warp changes.
Stäubli will also present its TF series weaving machines, engineered for the production of advanced 3D, multilayer, and high performance fabrics using demanding materials such as carbon, glass, and aramid fibers.
- The TF20 offers high-speed capability and a double rapier option, increasing output for industries requiring lightweight composite reinforcements.
- The TF30 ensures gentle yarn handling while supporting highly sophisticated weave structures, making it ideal for aerospace grade and industrial textiles.
Part of our other solutions for technical textile, the UNIVAL 100 electronic Jacquard machine provides unparalleled flexibility for weaving complex and sophisticated technical fabrics. Featuring individually controlled harness cords and exceptional motion precision, the UNIVAL 100 is particularly suited for 3D weaving and the processing of demanding materials such as glass and carbon fibers.
The Jacquard machine LX 2494 is ideal for weaving technical fabrics on all types of weaving machines. Very robust and wear-resistant, it opens new avenues in heavy fabrics and is designed for many years of daily use with a minimum of maintenance. The Stäubli M6T 3-position module principle makes the machine particularly compact, and plays an important role in exploiting its performance potential.
Stäubli’s heavy dobbies deliver the power and precision required for weaving complex, high tension structures in technical and industrial fabrics. Designed for demanding applications, they ensure exceptional shedding accuracy, stable high speed performance, and long term mechanical reliability.
Discover Stäubli’s weaving technologies at Swiss Pavilion Booth B01.6 in Hall 12.0 during Techtexil 2026
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
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