The newly launched Musinsa Studio in Dongdaemun Comprehensive Market is designed to support small fashion brands and enhance collaboration among them, revitalizing the area as a fashion hub.
The Dongdaemun Comprehensive Market in Seoul recently unveiled a fashion specialization shared office designed to bolster small and emerging K-fashion brands in the area. The new facility, officially known as Musinsa Studio Dongdaemun Comprehensive Market, aims to serve as a one-stop hub for clothing production, packaging, storage, and exhibition, addressing the various needs of fashion professionals.
On the morning of October 13, Lee Ji-hye, head of the Musinsa Studio team, discussed ambitions for the studio during their introduction to the new facility. “Our goal is to lead the revitalization of K-fashion in Dongdaemun, the original fashion mecca,” she stated. This initiative is part of Musinsa’s ongoing efforts to support local brands and foster collaboration among them, thereby enhancing the commercial prospects of the Dongdaemun area.
The Musinsa Studio occupies a substantial space of 4,628 square meters within the Dongdaemun Comprehensive Market, the largest single market in Asia, which has held a central role in the Korean fashion industry for over fifty years since its inception in 1970. The studio offers modern amenities tailored to fashion designers, including offices, sewing rooms, workrooms, pattern rooms, and packing zones.
The Dongdaemun location marks the second Musinsa Studio opening, following the launch of the Sindang site two years earlier in 2023. During a visit to the new studio, the enthusiasm from local merchants was palpable. A fabric vendor expressed excitement, saying, “Oh, you’re going to the Musinsa on the 4th floor? Everyone is asking about it!” demonstrating the high anticipation and interest surrounding the new workspace.
Lee Ji-hye further emphasized the studio’s design, which provides “an optimized space for fashion brand designers to conduct their work with a one-stop flow for clothing production.” With its key geographical location, the studio promises to invigorate the Dongdaemun commercial district as fashion professionals seek residency in this specialized environment.
The Musinsa Studio facilities play a key community role, encouraging networking and collaboration among small brands. Lee noted instances where women’s fashion brands Hocus Pocus and Cookies formed connections at the studio and collaborated on a pop-up store after sharing ideas through the studio’s networking programs.
Occupancy at the Musinsa Studio is thriving, with an estimated 75-80% occupancy rate. The studio offers a variety of office sizes, ranging from single rooms suitable for one person to larger spaces that can accommodate up to 25 individuals. Furthermore, the workroom is equipped with state-of-the-art machines and facilities designed for efficient fashion design and production processes. The sewing room features advanced equipment, including several high-quality sewing machines, allowing brands to conduct small-scale production runs more effectively.
Financially, residency at Musinsa Studio offers considerable savings. Musinsa reports that companies can save an average of about 5 million won per month on various operational costs, including utilities and meeting expenses. Specifically, firms have reported substantial savings on delivery fees and studio rental costs thanks to reduced unit pricing through B2B contracts initiated by Musinsa.
Monthly rent for shared office space at the Dongdaemun Comprehensive Market starts at around 750,000 won for single rooms and slightly over 2 million won for four-person rooms, with separate deposits required. Notably, an opening promotion is currently available, contributing to an increase in inquiries and interest in securing a space within this fashion-focused hub.
Source: Noah Wire Services
