Ready for Santorini: A Blend of Sporty and Feminine Elegance

Lissa Yeon Yi Koo's Award-Winning Fashion Collection Inspired by Greece's Beauty

The collection's overall color tone of ivory is inspired by the white villas of Santorini, perched atop ocean-facing cliffs. Koo's choice of materials - neoprene for its sporty feel and lace for its femininity - adds a playful element to the collection. This combination of contrasting elements is a reflection of Koo's design philosophy, which emphasizes the discovery of new concepts and beauty.

One of the unique features of the collection is the use of bright orange cording on subtle ivory neoprene fabric. This adds a hint of sassiness to the collection, balancing its conservative, sporty side with a touch of rebellion. The stretchiness of the neoprene fabric also ensures that the collection is as comfortable as sportswear while still looking elegant.

The collection was created in New York City, with the project starting in April 2015 and all samples completed by August 2015. The official launch for the collection was on September 1, 2015, on the Saku New York website. The collection will be exhibited in upcoming events in NYC and Paris.

Koo's inspiration for the collection came during a trip to Santorini, Greece. The white structures surrounding the clear waters of the island served as the perfect theme for her collection. The choice of fabric was influenced by a presentation on upcoming trend reports at Parsons School of Design, where Koo studied.

One of the challenges Koo faced during the design process was the combination of lace and neoprene. Due to the stretchiness of the neoprene, the lace felt awkward on the pieces. However, after several trials and errors, Koo was able to achieve a balance between comfort and elegance in her designs.

The "Ready for Santorini" collection is a testament to Koo's innovative approach to fashion design. By combining contrasting elements, she has created a collection that is both sporty and feminine, comfortable and elegant. The collection's success is a reflection of Koo's ability to push the boundaries of fashion design and create unique, trendsetting pieces.