A Comparative Analysis of National Support Programs for the Promotion of Emerging Korean Fashion Designer Brands

This study aims to explore strategies for revitalizing emerging fashion designer brands in Korea. The research method involved a comparative analysis of fashion support programs run by fashion institutions and associations in Korea and the four major global fashion capitals—namely the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and the United States—where the world's top fashion collections are held. Each country’s support programs were categorized and analyzed based on key components of designer brand development. It was found that the UK, France, and Italy operate specialized educational institutions that offer structured programs ranging from training for emerging designers to corporate education, whereas Korea and the U.S. provide short-term educational programs as part of broader support initiatives. In terms of consultation, the UK and France offer mentoring from members of established designer brands, while Korea, Italy, and the U.S. provide general consulting and mentoring across brand operations. Regarding sales and promotion, the UK, France, Italy, and the U.S. support designer brands through global fashion weeks, offering opportunities in the form of fashion shows, showrooms, and online platforms. In contrast, with Seoul Fashion Week yet to serve as an effective global platform, Korea provides support through overseas exhibitions and shows. Financially, Korea relies on institutional support programs and corporate funding competitions, such as fashion-related funds and auditions. The UK, meanwhile, fosters domestic talent through awards hosted by the British Fashion Council (BFC), while France offers support via bank loans guaranteed by IFCI and major international competitions such as the ANDAM and LVMH Prizes. Italy also provides business loans with the added support of public and community funding, while the U.S. supports its domestic talent through the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, CFDA partnerships, and scholarships. Notably, the findings related to Korea demonstrate a high dependency on institutional support, while those related to France disclose the largest scale of funding among the countries analyzed. Based on these results, the study proposes the following strategies to enhance Korea’s support or emerging fashion designer brands: (1) establishment of a specialized educational institution focusing on fashion entrepreneurship; (2) designation of a central fashion support agency to coordinate and streamline institutional and association-led programs; and (3)revitalization of Seoul Fashion Week to function as a global platform for emerging brand growth.