Andrew Jun O Kwon (born 1995) is an American fashion designer based in New York, NY.[1] He founded his label, ANDREW KWON, which focuses on demi-couture bridal and eveningwear.[2][3][4] In 2024, Kwon was honored as part of Forbes' inaugural 30 Under 30, Class of 2025 North America.[5]

Andrew Kwon
Kwon at New York Fashion Week in 2022.
Born
Andrew Jun O Kwon

1995 (age 28)
NationalityKorean-American
Alma materParsons School of Design
OccupationFashion Designer
Known forAndrew Kwon
Websitehttp://www.andrewkwon.com

Early life and education

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Born in 1995 in Denver, Colorado, Andrew Kwon spent his childhood in various parts of the United States.[6][7][4][8]

Kwon attended Grandview High School in Colorado.[9] Post- high school graduation he attended Parsons the New School of Design and earned a Bachelor of Arts in fashion design in 2019.[10] Kwon studied architecture and interior design at Parsons the New School for Design before switching his major to fashion design. During his studies, he participated in the Supima Design Competition, showcasing his collection at New York and Paris Fashion Weeks.[11][12]

Career

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Kwon studied architecture at Parsons the New School for Design before switching his studies to fashion design.

His career began with internships at Vera Wang, Marchesa, and Chloe. Post-graduation, he launched ANDREW KWON in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic with a bridal collection. His designs have been seen in publications including Vogue, Brides, Women's Wear Daily (WWD), and Elle.[13][14][15][16]

His first eveningwear collection was showcased at New York Fashion Week in September 2022 at The Baccarat Hotel.[17] His fourth collection was presented at Bridal Fashion Week in New York City.[18] In 2023, he debuted his second eveningwear collection at New York Fashion Week, his first runway show.[19][20][21]

In 2023, Kwon was invited by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to become an Interim Member.[22][23] During New York Bridal Fashion Week in April 2023, Kwon, in collaboration with Manolo Blahnik, unveiled his sixth collection, "Collection 6 - epiphany," a bridal collection."[24][25] He also ventured into e-commerce through a partnership with Moda Operandi, featuring selections from his collections.[26]

In September 2023, Kwon was selected as a finalist for the Inaugural CFDA x Genesis House AAPI Design and Innovation Grant Fund in partnership with Genesis in 2023.[27][28]

Appearances

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At the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards, Regina Hall wore a design by Kwon.[29] At the premiere of "Shazam! Fury of the Gods", Lucy Liu wore a custom gown by Kwon.[30][31] In March 2023 at the Elton John Aids Foundation Oscars Viewing Party, Sophia Bush wore Kwon's gown to the event.[32] Ashley Park wore a custom gown by Kwon to Vogue Singapore's NEXT IN VOGUE Gala.[33]

Music, notably from Andrea Bocelli and his mother, has been cited by Kwon as a significant inspiration for his designs.[34][35] Singer Loren Allred[10] wore Kwon’s designs during the Andrea Bocelli 2021Tour.

Jessica Jung wore Kwon's design in Manhattan, New York. [36] Son Tae Young wore Kwon's design attending his show in October 2023 documented on YouTube.[37][38][39][40][41]

Lana Condor wore Kwon's design to the 2023 Unforgettable Gala held in Beverly Hills, California.[42] [43][44]

Actress Constance Wu, notable for one of many box office hits including her role as Rachel Chu in Crazy Rich Asians and as Destiny in Hustlers alongside co-star Jennifer Lopez wore Kwon's design for her honoring at Apex For Youth's 23rd Inspiration Awards Gala in April 2024, past honorees include Eileen Gu, Connie Chung, Eva Chen, Awkwafina, and Gemma Chan. [45][46]

Killers of the Flower Moon, Actress Lily Gladstone, wore a black velvet gown by Kwon to the Irish Film & Academy Awards with a hummingbird detail that Gladstone says was symbolic of her father's name in Blackfeet. [47]

Kwon made an appearance as himself on Netflix in Super Rich In Korea as a friend of cast member Aren Yoo (Yoo Hee-ra). [48]

Chrissy Teigen wore Andrew Kwon to the Fourth Annual 2024 Academy Museum Gala alongside husband John Legend.[49][50]

Personal life

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Kwon's full name is Andrew "Jun O" Kwon. As an Asian American, Kwon participates in dialogues concerning the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.[10][51][52]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Fashion Meets Foreign Exchange With Genesis House and the CFDA". InStyle. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  2. ^ Lei, Angela. "Andrew Kwon Debuts The Best Collection Of Wedding Dresses For Pandemic Brides". Forbes. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  3. ^ Adrian-Diaz, Jenna (February 22, 2023). "Andrew Kwon Looks to the Northern Lights and Old Hollywood Glamour". SURFACE. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  4. ^ a b US, FashionNetwork com. "Genesis, CFDA name grant finalists". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  5. ^ "Forbes 30 Under 30 2025: Art & Style". Forbes. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  6. ^ "Andrew Kwon". runway360.cfda.com.
  7. ^ "2023 K-New Leaders: Fashion Designer Andrew Kwon". Korean Cultural Center New York. May 23, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  8. ^ "2023 K-New Leaders: Fashion Designer Andrew Kwon". Korean Cultural Center New York. May 23, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  9. ^ Carreon, Blue. "Andrew Kwon: The Bridal Designer To Know". Forbes. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Pharms, Gabrielle (January 18, 2022). "Designer Andrew Kwon Unveils His Dreamy, Luxe France-Inspired Collection". Edition Modern Luxury.
  11. ^ Meyers, Tracey (July 22, 2019). "Supima Names Finalists for Annual Design Competition". Women's Wear Daily.
  12. ^ Davis, Mari (September 6, 2019). "Supima Design Competition 2019: Andrew Kwon, Parsons School of Design". Fashion Windows.
  13. ^ Hoo, Fawnia Sou (August 29, 2022). "This Emerging Designer Is About To Be All Over The Red Carpet". The Zoe Report. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  14. ^ Karimzadeh, Marc (April 6, 2021). "Andrew Kwon Collection 1". CFDA.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  15. ^ Lei, Angela (February 21, 2021). "Andrew Kwon Debuts The Best Collection Of Wedding Dresses For Pandemic Brides". Forbes. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  16. ^ Strauss, Alix (October 5, 2021). "Dressing Brides for 'Their Red-Carpet Moment'". The New York Times.
  17. ^ "Andrew Kwon SS23 Collection NYFW". Fashion Week Online. September 13, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  18. ^ Zeufack, Maureen (September 14, 2022). "Andrew Kwon enters his evening wear era". Washington Square News. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  19. ^ Carreon, Blue. "Glamorous Dressing From The Collections Of Dennis Basso And Andrew Kwon". Forbes. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  20. ^ Rodriguez, Teresa (March 10, 2023). "Andrew Kwon". Haute Living San Francisco. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  21. ^ Adrian-Diaz, Jenna (February 22, 2023). "Andrew Kwon Looks to the Northern Lights and Old Hollywood Glamour". SURFACE. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  22. ^ Campbell, Nicky (April 11, 2023). "The CFDA Welcomes 2023 Interim Members". CFDA. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  23. ^ Lockwood, Lisa (April 11, 2023). "CFDA Names 16 Interim Members". WWD. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  24. ^ "Marlo Laz, Andrew Kwon, and Over The Moon Celebrate All Things Bridal at Manolo Blahnik". Vogue. April 13, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  25. ^ Campbell, Nicky (April 13, 2023). "Andrew Kwon Celebrates NYFW Bridal With Manolo Blahnik". CFDA. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  26. ^ Lockwood, Lisa (May 11, 2023). "Andrew Kwon Expands Global Presence through Moda Operandi". WWD. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  27. ^ "CFDA announces AAPI design and innovation grant winners". Vogue Business. September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  28. ^ "CFDA". cfda.com. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  29. ^ Stern, Claire (March 5, 2023). "Regina Hall Supported an Emerging Designer with Her Independent Spirit Awards Look". ELLE. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  30. ^ Kallon, Catherine (March 17, 2023). "Lucy Liu Wore Andrew Kwon To The 'Shazam! Fury Of The Gods' LA Premiere". Red Carpet Fashion Awards. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  31. ^ Fraser, Kristopher (March 15, 2023). "Lucy Liu's 'Shazam! Fury of the Gods' Promo Tour Wardrobe Includes Carolina Herrera, Delcore and More". WWD. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  32. ^ "Sophia Bush's Style Secrets: Her Height, Outfits, Feet, Legs and Net Worth". June 13, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  33. ^ "CFDA". cfda.com. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  34. ^ Pierre-Louis, Corinne (October 14, 2022). "New Andrew Kwon Wedding Dresses, Plus Past Collections". Brides.
  35. ^ Gaskins, Ty (April 7, 2022). "Meet Designer Andrew Kwon, Who's Giving Brides Their Red Carpet Moment". Grazia. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  36. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  37. ^ 권상우가 홀딱 반해버린 웨딩드레스 입은 손태영의 충격적 자태, November 17, 2023, retrieved November 30, 2023
  38. ^ 조선비즈 (November 17, 2023). "손태영, ♥권상우 감탄할 허리 24인치 웨딩드레스 자태 "전문가 손길, 4년만!" ('Mrs.뉴저지 손태영')". 조선비즈 (in Korean). Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  39. ^ "손태영 24인치 개미허리 인증, ♥권상우 홀딱 반한 웨딩드레스 자태 (뉴저지) : 네이트 연예". 네이트 뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  40. ^ Newsis (November 22, 2023). "43세 손태영, 허리 24인치 웨딩드레스 자태…♥권상우 또 반할듯". mobile.newsis.com (in Korean). Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  41. ^ 입력: 2023.11.18 14:24 (November 18, 2023). "43세 손태영, ♥권상우 반한 24인치 허리". sports.khan.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved November 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  42. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  43. ^ Royce, Aaron (December 17, 2023). "Lana Condor Shimmers in Hidden Heels at Unforgettable Gala Red Carpet". Footwear News. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  44. ^ Gelhoren, Giovana (December 18, 2023). "Greta Lee, Lana Condor & More Stars Who Rocked the Carpet at the 2023 Unforgettable Gala". SheKnows. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  45. ^ "Constance Wu Was Honored at This Year's Apex for Youth Gala". ELLE. April 3, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  46. ^ "Inside Apex For Youth's Inspiration Awards Gala". Town & Country. April 3, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  47. ^ "2024 IFTA Winners Announced". ifta.ie. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  48. ^ "Super Rich in Korea | Netflix | Episode 5 | Andrew Kwon, fashion designer makes a cameo appearance". Netflix.
  49. ^ "The Best Looks from the 2024 Academy Museum Gala Red Carpet". October 20, 2024.
  50. ^ "The Best Looks from the 2024 Academy Museum Gala".
  51. ^ Ell, Kellie (May 28, 2021). "Designers Share the Realities of Fashion and the AAPI Experience". Women's Wear Daily.
  52. ^ Yoon, Bora (May 23, 2023). "2023 K-New Leaders: Fashion Designer Andrew Kwon". Korean Culture Center NY. Retrieved June 9, 2023.