This September, Seoul welcomed Design Miami for the first time in Asia with the debut of Design Miami in Seoul, South Korea. Running from September 1 to 14, 2025, the fair is held at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), a landmark designed by the late Zaha Hadid. The choice of venue was particularly meaningful—Hadid was the very first recipient of Design Miami’s Designer of the Year Award in 2005.
The inaugural Seoul edition carried the theme “Illuminated: A Spotlight on Korean Design”, part of Design Miami’s new In Situ initiative that highlights immersive, culturally rooted exhibitions over traditional booth setups. Curated by Hyeyoung Cho, chairperson of the Korea Association of Art & Design, the exhibition brought together around 170 works from 71 designers, ranging from rising talents to established names. The showcase offered a vivid portrait of Korean design, weaving together traditional craft techniques like mother-of-pearl inlay and weaving with contemporary innovation in materials such as ceramics, metal, leather, and wood.
Highlights of the exhibition include Yoo Da-hyeon’s sculptural leather works inspired by Joseon-era craftsmanship, Kim Dong-jun’s minimalist interpretations of the moon jar, and bold contemporary pieces by Lee Hak-min and Kim Kye-ok. Together, these works reflected a design language that was both distinctly Korean and globally resonant, underscoring the country’s position as a creative force in the international arena.
The fair also features a Design Talks programme, hosted at the DDP’s Lawn Room, bringing together leading voices including Jen Roberts, CEO of Design Miami, alongside Korean and international design leaders. By spotlighting Korean designers on a global stage, the fair deepened Seoul’s standing as a nexus where tradition and innovation meet, and where East and West converge in meaningful design dialogue.
