Kodak, National Geographic pivot to become fashion brands in Korea - KED Global (2024)

Kodak, National Geographic pivot to become fashion brands in Korea - KED Global (1)

For more than a century, Kodak was a household name for quality cameras that were treated as valuable possessions -- often kept in the cabinet and only taken out to photograph special occasions like birthdays or outdoor trips.

With the rapid decline in sales of photographic film, however, Kodak filed for bankruptcy protection in the US in January 2012.

But in recent years, the Kodak brand has reinvented itself as fashion apparel by partnering with South Korea’s Highlight Brands to launch a series of vintage Kodak clothing lines, which are catching on globally.

Inspired by Kodak’s unique heritage, the Korean apparel maker has developed a clothing range under a 2019 license with the US firm, and last year its sales topped 10 billion won ($8.7 million) in just a year of launch.

Encouraged by the decent growth, Highlight Brands plans to expand its outlets to 80 with a sales target of 60 billion won this year.

Highlight Brands is one of the Korean fashion retailers that are pivoting non-apparel global brands such as MLB, National Geographic and Discovery into trendy fashion clothing, appealing to young people, referred to as MZers, or Millennials and young adults in Generation Z.

According to the fashion industry, a total of 25 global and local brands have been reborn as designer labels in partnership with Korean apparel makers and importers.

F&F Co. has been leading the trend, starting with MLB apparel in 1997, followed by MLB Kids and Discovery Expedition.

Kodak, National Geographic pivot to become fashion brands in Korea - KED Global (2)

CHINESE MZERS

F&F said it plans to increase its MLB and MLB Kids outlets in China to 270 and 40, respectively, by the end of this year. Last month, the company opened an MLB Kids outlet in the Global Harbor Shopping Mall, Shanghai’s largest retail shop.

The Korean company posted 49.5 billion won in sales from its MLB outlet in China in the first quarter of this year, an eightfold increase from a year ago.

“With a big logo and colorful design on its themed goods, MLB is fast catching on among the Chinese MZers,” said an industry official.

“In Korea, the MLB brand almost disappeared from the fashion industry years ago. But with the global popularity of Hallyu (the Korean wave), it has been successfully resurrected.”

A duty-free shop official in Korea says Chinese peddlers and wholesale traders are visiting Seoul to buy MLB products in large quantities at the risk of being quarantined for more than a month due to concerns over the COVID infection.

The Nature Holdings, a Korean importer of popular apparel brands such as National Geographic, Jeep, NFL and Vera Wang, said it recently opened its fourth overseas outlet in Hong Kong to eventually enter the bigger Chinese market.

Kodak, National Geographic pivot to become fashion brands in Korea - KED Global (3)

Last month, The Nature Holdings said it is participating as a strategic investor in a $1.7 billion purchase of TaylorMade Golf Co. by Seoul-based private equity firm Centroid Investment Partners.

Through the equity investment in the US sports equipment manufacturer, The Nature Holdings aims to expand its business into the golf wear and gear market just like Titleist, the world’s largest manufacturer of golf balls and equipment, which also makes related apparel goods.

IDENTITY MISMATCH

As the established non-apparel brands are winning the hearts of young, trend-sensitive people, other Korean retailers have also jumped into the retro clothing business.

Barrels, a domestic apparel company, has revived the popularity of Lee, known for denim jeans, together with global brands such as Levi’s and Wrangler.

Another Korean company SJ Trend introduced the Storm London brand into Korea in April this year.

Kodak, National Geographic pivot to become fashion brands in Korea - KED Global (4)

While Korean apparel companies have turned baseball, magazine and photography names into successful fashion brands, some critics say excessive collaboration between those brands with clothing retailers could turn consumers away from a growing number of various themed goods.

“I notice some fatigue among consumers about the quirky branding. Some such fashion brands are not in sync with the images of the original brands. This could bring about an identity issue,” said Jun Joo-en, a business administration professor at Anyang University.

Write to Jeong-Cheol Bae at bjc@hankyung.com

In-Soo Nam edited this article.

Kodak, National Geographic pivot to become fashion brands in Korea - KED Global (2024)

FAQs

Is National Geographic a Korean brand? ›

National Geographic Apparel, fashion brand of South Korea's The Nature Holdings, is tapping other Asian markets upon huge popularity among teenagers and young consumers in Korea and Hong Kong.

What is the biggest fashion company in Korea? ›

Search results
#NameGlobal revenue eCommerce net sales refer to the year 2022
1 (9)coupang.com Coupang, Inc.US$18,338.2m
2 (154)hmall.comUS$1,136.4m
3 (159)gmarket.co.kr Gmarket Global, LLCUS$1,098.3m
4 (385)musinsa.com Musinsa Co., Ltd.US$497.9m
21 more rows

Is South Korea a fashion country? ›

South Korean fashion has maintained a unique style which has influenced worldwide trends. South Korea's style is known for being expressive and reflecting a sense of individuality, which are absent from the style of its northern counterpart, North Korea.

What country owns National Geographic? ›

National Geographic (formerly National Geographic Channel; abbreviated and trademarked as Nat Geo or Nat Geo TV) is an American pay television network and flagship channel owned by the National Geographic Global Networks unit of Disney Entertainment and National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt ...

Who owns National Geographic company? ›

National Geographic is a television network and flagship channel that is owned by National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, with the operational management handled by Walt Disney Television.

What is the No 1 brand in Korea? ›

Samsung

What brand does Kim K wear the most? ›

It's Official: Everyone Is Obsessed With Kim Kardashian's...
  • It's official: people can't get enough of Balenciaga. ...
  • It's not hard to see why Balenciaga continues to generate a feverish fandom.

What is the most valuable brand in Korea? ›

As of May 2022, Samsung Group remained the largest business group operating in South Korea, with a revenue of approximately 379 trillion South Korean won.

What is Korean fashion style called? ›

The hanbok (Korean: 한복; Hanja: 韓服; RR: hanbok; lit. Korean clothing; term used in South Korea), also called Chosŏn-ot (Korean: 조선옷; Hanja: 朝鮮옷; RR: Joseon-ot) is traditional Korean clothing.

What is the dress code in Korea? ›

While South Korea is quite modern, it's considered inappropriate to show too much skin, especially around the shoulders and chest area. Avoid wearing overly revealing clothing, particularly in traditional or religious settings.

What is the famous clothing in Korea? ›

Hanbok refers to the traditional clothing of Korea. This is a list of Korean clothing including the national costume, hanbok, as well as headgear, footwear, and accessories.

How to get a job at Nat Geo? ›

Submit your application via the National Geographic website or LinkedIn. Once you have your resume and cover letter, visit the job listing that interests you and submit an application. Each application is a bit different, but be sure to have all of your relevant information ready (references, personal information).

What is National Geographic famous for? ›

It is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, and the promotion of environmental and historical conservation.

What brand is National Geographic? ›

National Geographic (formerly the National Geographic Magazine, sometimes branded as NAT GEO) is an American monthly magazine published by National Geographic Partners. Washington, D.C.

Does the Disney company own National Geographic? ›

Disney now has majority ownership of National Graphic, or as it is known under its official business name, National Geographic Partners, LLC. In case you are wondering why National Geographic documentaries are available now on Disney+, this was the result of Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019.

Where is the National Geographic headquarters? ›

National Geographic's headquarters is located in the heart of Washington, D.C. National Geographic headquarters is located at 17th and M Streets, NW. The museum and store entrance is at 1145 17th Street; the Grosvenor Auditorium entrance is at 1600 M Street NW.

How does Natgeo make money? ›

The National Geographic Society and

This joint-venture enterprise combines National Geographic's global television channels, publications, media, and products and allows us to return a portion of the proceeds from these assets to fund our non-profit work.

What brands do Koreans use for skin? ›

Top skin care brands from Korea
  • iUNIK. iUNIK is one of the best Korean skincare brands, and it's easy to see why. ...
  • Some By Mi. ...
  • Missha. ...
  • COSRX. ...
  • Beauty Of Joseon. ...
  • Etude House. ...
  • KAHI. ...
  • Elizavecca.
Nov 29, 2022

Where do Korean celebrities shop? ›

If Kpop idols would be buying their clothes, it's safe to say that they would avoid large crowds and shop online. They do seem to favor house names like Off White, Tommy Hilfiger, and Burberry. There are a few smaller Korean brands that tend to show up quite regularly, such as beyondcloset, Stylenanda, and Charm's.

What are South Korea's biggest products? ›

South Korea's largest industries are electronics, automobiles, telecommunications, shipbuilding, chemicals, and steel.

Who owns Marilyn Monroe's dress? ›

Estimated to go for about $2 million, it ultimately sold for $4.8 million to Ripley's Believe It or Not!, which later advertised it as “the world's most expensive dress!” and kept it in a vault in its museum in Orlando, Fla.

Who is Kim Kardashian favorite designer? ›

Being a Kardashian, she prefers to mix family and business, which is why the bonds with her favorite designers are so personal. From Riccardo Tisci, Olivier Rousteing, Thierry Mugler, Demna Gvasalia, and West himself, the almost-lawyer libra has explored her fashion with the most innovative designers of her time.

What is the most expensive thing Kim K owns? ›

Kim Kardashian also owns some of the most expensive things to her credit whose value runs into millions — from a monochrome USD 20 million home in Hidden Hills to a fleet of luxury cars that includes a Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, a Rolls Royce Phantom and an Aston Martin DB9.

What luxury brands do Koreans love? ›

In 2022, the so-called Big Three luxury brands—Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton—made around 4 trillion won ($2.98 billion) in sales in Korea in 2022, with the latter becoming the nation's top-performing brand, Korea JoongAng Daily reported.

Are clothes cheap in South Korea? ›

Are clothes cheap in South Korea? It largely depends on where you shop for the clothes. If you are in South Korea, you will have access to all their street shops, where clothes are typically priced at their most affordable. Of course, there is then the trade-off in quality.

Is LV cheaper in Korea? ›

For example, LV is not much cheaper in kr than it is in SG but it is quite a fair bit for Gucci and Gentle Monster. It'll be a lot more time-saving if you have already done your research beforehand!

Can I wear ripped jeans in Korea? ›

Koreans are always well-groomed and never wear worn-out clothing. Yet ripped jeans may be the only exception to that rule. They are everywhere in the streets of Seoul. Keep it casual with a tucked-in simple t-shirt, or wear a loose dress shirt for a more polished look.

Why do Koreans wear loose clothes? ›

Most kids in Korea wear sporty and loose clothes for them to be comfortable to move around. Also many kids love cartoons and characters. Even if the parents don't like to dress their kids cartoon clothes, eventually children wear what they like.

What is the latest fashion trend in Korea? ›

15 Women's & Men's Korean Fashion Trends for Spring 2023
  • Floral Sundresses + Ball Cap.
  • Fuzzy Sweaters & Plaid High-waisted Pencil Skirts.
  • High-waisted Flare Pants + Crop Tops.
  • Long Sleeves + Knitted Vests.
  • Ruffled Blouse + Half-up, Half-down Hairstyle.
  • Loose Shirts + Mini Skirt/High-waisted Shorts + Sneakers.
May 6, 2023

What do most Korean girls wear? ›

Put on a traditional Hanbok dress

Hanbok is a traditional costume but also very popular in modern fashion. Koreans often wear modernized Hanbok in street fashion, and even famous K-pop artists put on Hanbok in their music videos.

How do girls dress in Korea? ›

With very few exceptions, girls usually tuck their tops and blouses in the waistline of their skirts, shorts, and pants. Also, low waist bottoms are not popular in Korean fashion. Instead, the bottoms will typically reach all the way to the naval button, or even all the way up to the natural waistline.

What is the dress of queen in Korea? ›

The wonsam is a female ceremonial topcoat in hanbok. It originated from China, and it was worn by queens, high-ranking court ladies, and royalty during the Joseon dynasty of Korea (1392–1910). It is also called 'daeui' (大衣, big clothing), 'daesu' (大袖, wide sleeves) and 'jangsam' (長衫, long clothing).

What are Korean pants called? ›

Baji (Korean: 바지) is a kind of traditional Korean pant that is part of the hanbok. A baji is baggy and loose, so it is tied around the waist. In the past, Korean men wore baji as outer clothing, but for women, it gradually became part of the inner clothing. Today, women wear chima for their outer clothes.

What are Korean jackets called? ›

Padding (패딩) jackets or padded coats are the "national" coat in Korea during winter. There are many reasons why it is popular with Korean people.

Why is Korean fashion so popular? ›

The term “K-fashion” was coined in relation to these styles. Because of the existence of places like Dongdaemun, K-brands that were already more accessible started to gain prominence. The Korean culture wave (Hallyu) is undeniably one of the main reasons for Korean fashion's meteoric popularity.

Is National Geographic an American company? ›

National Geographic (formerly the National Geographic Magazine, sometimes branded as NAT GEO) is an American monthly magazine published by National Geographic Partners. Washington, D.C.

Where is National Geographic made? ›

It is published in Washington, D.C. Gilbert H. Grosvenor, 1927. The magazine was founded in 1888 and published by a nonprofit corporation, the National Geographic Society.

Are American cartoons made in Korea? ›

While American primetime cartoon series are conceptualized and written in the US, most of the animation is done in South Korea.

Where is National Geographic based? ›

National Geographic's headquarters is located in the heart of Washington, D.C. National Geographic headquarters is located at 17th and M Streets, NW. The museum and store entrance is at 1145 17th Street; the Grosvenor Auditorium entrance is at 1600 M Street NW.

Is National Geographic owned by the government? ›

National Geographic Partners, a for-profit joint venture between The Walt Disney Company (which owns a 73% stake) and the Society (which owns 27%), was established in 2015 to handle commercial activities of the Society, including television channels worldwide (which were already co-owned by the Society and Fox) and ...

What can I do with old National Geographic? ›

What can I do with my old National Geographic magazines? You might check with nearby nursing and retirement homes, prisons, hospitals, or schools to see if they would welcome your donation.

Who made National Geographic logo? ›

Chemayeff & Geismar, a specialist branding agency, designed the National Geographic logo.

Is National Geographic a good organization? ›

Is National Geographic Society a good company to work for? National Geographic Society has an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5, based on over 588 reviews left anonymously by employees. 65% of employees would recommend working at National Geographic Society to a friend and 61% have a positive outlook for the business.

What do Koreans call their cartoons? ›

To distinguish it from its Japanese counterpart, Korean animation is often called hanguk aeni (Korean: 한국 애니; lit. Korean animation) or guksan aeni (Korean: 국산 애니; lit. domestic animation).

What is the oldest cartoon in us? ›

1900 – J. Stuart Blackton and Thomas Edison create The Enchanted Drawing, the first film to feature groundbreaking animated sequences. 1908 – Fantasmagorie, considered by animation historians as the world's first cartoon, is released.

What age is National Geographic for? ›

National Geographic Kids (Ages 6 and up)

The magazine that's designed to inspire and empower children to understand complex ideas through stories, games, and more.

What does National Geographic pay? ›

The average National Geographic salary ranges from approximately $55,000 per year for Operations Associate to $160,000 per year for Vice President. Average National Geographic hourly pay ranges from approximately $13.96 per hour for Diversity and Inclusion Manager to $23.56 per hour for Collection Manager.

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