JoongAng Fashion Design Association

The JoongAng Fashion Design Association was founded in 1970 to commemorate the launch of the monthly magazine [Yeoseong JoongAng], with the purpose of discovering outstanding fashion designers and elevating the standard of domestic fashion through contests.

In 1972, winners of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd contests came together to form a group, naming it the JoongAng Design Group, which has since evolved into the current JoongAng Fashion Design Association. The first JoongAng Design Group fashion show was held at [Amazon] in Jongno in 1972, establishing a prominent presence in the Korean fashion industry. By the 1980s, members had solidified their positions as designers through active creative work.

From the mid-1980s, the group adopted a collection format, renaming it the JDG (JOONG-ANG DESIGN GROUP) Collection and holding annual shows. JDG became a trendsetter, playing a leading role in establishing fashion trends and serving as a pioneer of Korean fashion.

In 1989, marking the 20th anniversary, the group hosted a full-scale collection-format fashion show at Hoam Art Hall, sponsored by Yeoseong JoongAng, inviting international journalists to promote Korean fashion globally. In 1999, the 30th anniversary celebration was held at COEX, hosted by SBS Broadcasting.

The JoongAng Fashion Design Association has carried on over half a century of tradition and continues to be active across all areas of Korean fashion. Since the 2000s, members have been actively expanding globally, and the association provides full support for their international endeavors.

History

1970
First JoongAng Design Contest held to celebrate Yeoseong JoongAng magazine launch
1972
JoongAng Design Club formed, 1st group fashion show at [Amazon], Jongno
1980
Renamed to JoongAng Design Group, Korea's first regular group collection
1989
20th Anniversary JDG Collection at Hoam Art Hall, cultural exchange trip to India
1972~1991
23 JDG Collections held in total
1990~1993
Park Hye-sook, Kim Dong-soon, Park Yoon-soo, Rubina, Kim Chul-ong, Jo Eun-sook, Jung Mi-kyung, Lee Sang-bong join SFAA
1992~1994
Contemporary Collection held
1995
27th JDG Artwork held
1998
Participated in SFAA New Designer Invitational
1999
30th Anniversary JDG Collection at COEX, hosted by SBS
2009
40th Anniversary JoongAng Design Contest and Collection
2010~
Annual JoongAng Design Contest held
2013
Participated in Shenzhen Fashion Fair and Fashion Code Fair
2014
Officially registered as JoongAng Fashion Design Association
2022
50th JoongAng Fashion Design Contest held
2025
53rd JoongAng Fashion Design Contest - New AI Digital Fashion category

Our Mission

01

Design Research & Exchange

We lead the promotion of sound clothing culture while contributing to technological development and welfare improvement through the research, collection, analysis, and exchange of domestic and international design information.

02

Industry Development

We collect and provide domestic and international resources and information for the development of the fashion industry, and pursue research projects to improve technology and productivity.

03

Designer Discovery

We actively support the JoongAng Design Contest to discover and nurture emerging designers, host regular fashion shows, and participate in international fashion events and exhibitions.

04

Social Contribution

We actively engage in social contribution programs, including talent donation initiatives.

Building on half a century of heritage,
shaping the future of Korean fashion.

About JFDA - JoongAng Fashion Design Association