South Korea’s fashion market hit 45.2 trillion KRW in 2023, growing 4.8% year over year on premiumization trends and faster shopping shifts. Online commerce drove 18.9 trillion KRW in sales in 2023 and represented 41.8% of total fashion retail. Consumer behavior also points to the new center of gravity, with 65% of South Korean shoppers aged 18 to 34 prioritizing trendy styles over price.
Key Takeaways
- 65% of South Korean consumers aged 18-34 prioritize trendy styles over price in fashion purchases according to 2023 surveys
- Korean fashion exports to the US reached $3.2 billion in 2023, up 9.7% YoY
- LF, Korea's largest fashion firm, reported 2023 revenue of 4.2 trillion KRW
- In 2023, the South Korean fashion market reached a value of 45.2 trillion KRW, marking a 4.8% year-over-year growth driven by premiumization trends
- Korean fashion industry employed 1.2 million people directly in 2023
Korea’s fashion industry shows strong momentum with growing demand and steady revenue gains.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Trends26 stats
01
65% of South Korean consumers aged 18-34 prioritize trendy styles over price in fashion purchases according to 2023 surveys
02
72% of Korean women buy fashion online weekly, compared to 58% men in 2023
03
Sustainable materials preference rose to 41% among Korean shoppers in 2023 from 28% in 2020
04
Streetwear adoption: 55% of Gen Z Koreans own 5+ streetwear items in 2023
05
Average annual fashion spend per Korean millennial: 1.2 million KRW in 2023
06
68% of consumers influenced by K-pop idols in fashion choices, 2023 poll
07
Gender-neutral fashion interest: 37% of under-25s in Korea, up 15% YoY 2023
08
Impulse buying rate in fashion apps: 49% of Korean users in 2023
09
Vegan leather preference: 29% of eco-conscious Koreans in 2023 survey
10
Size inclusivity demand: 62% want more plus-size options, 2023 data
11
Live commerce fashion purchases: 38% of total online sales in Korea 2023
12
Brand loyalty in fashion: 44% of Koreans stick to 3+ brands, 2023
13
Social media influence on purchases: Instagram 51%, TikTok 32% in 2023 Korea
14
Resale platforms usage: 27% of 20-30s bought second-hand fashion 2023
15
Customization demand: 35% willing to pay 20% more for personalized fashion, 2023
16
Athleisure daily wear: 48% of urban Koreans in 2023 survey
17
Luxury fashion aspiration: 19% of middle-class Koreans aim to buy more in 2024
18
AR try-on app usage: 41% of online shoppers in Korea 2023
19
Minimalist style preference: 53% of professionals aged 25-40, 2023
20
K-beauty integration in fashion buys: 36% consider matching outfits, 2023
21
Post-pandemic casual wear shift: 67% prefer over formals, 2023 data
22
Subscription box fashion adoption: 12% of millennials, growth 22% 2023
23
Influencer marketing trust: 58% for fashion recommendations 2023
24
Price sensitivity drop: Only 31% cite price as top factor in 2023 vs 45% 2020
25
Vintage hunting via apps: 24% weekly among Gen Z, 2023
26
Festival fashion spend: Average 450,000 KRW per event for 18-24s 2023
Interpretation
Consumer Trends Interpretation
Consumer trend data shows that 68% of South Koreans are shaped by K-pop idols in their fashion choices in 2023, with especially strong momentum among younger shoppers who favor trendy looks and sustainability over price.
02 · Category
Exports And International Presence27 stats
01
Korean fashion exports to the US reached $3.2 billion in 2023, up 9.7% YoY
02
China imported $4.1 billion worth of Korean fashion in 2023, 22% of total exports
03
Vietnam as Korean fashion export destination grew 15.4% to $1.8 billion in 2023
04
EU market for Korean apparel: $1.2 billion in 2023, CAGR 5.8% since 2019
05
Japan Korean fashion imports: $2.5 billion in 2023, down 3% due to yen weakness
06
Total Korean fashion exports hit $15.7 billion in 2023, 8.2% growth
07
K-fashion share in global streetwear exports: 12.4% in 2023
08
Australia imported $450 million Korean fashion, up 18% in 2023
09
Southeast Asia total Korean fashion exports: $3.9 billion, 25% YoY growth 2023
10
Korean fashion FDI in overseas production: $2.1 billion in 2023
11
Paris Fashion Week Korean designer participation led to $120 million orders in 2023
12
Duty-free shop Korean fashion sales abroad: $1.5 billion in 2023
13
E-commerce cross-border fashion exports from Korea: $4.8 billion 2023
14
Korean brands in NYFW generated $800 million international revenue 2023
15
Middle East Korean fashion imports: $650 million, growth 14% 2023
16
UK market penetration: Korean fashion sales $550 million, up 11% 2023
17
Brazilian imports of Korean apparel: $320 million in 2023
18
Korean fashion pop-up stores overseas: 1,200 in 2023, generating $900 million
19
Licensing deals for Korean fashion IP abroad: 450 agreements worth $1.2 billion 2023
20
Canada Korean fashion market: $400 million imports 2023, CAGR 7.2%
21
India emerging market: $280 million Korean fashion exports 2023, up 22%
22
Africa total: $150 million Korean fashion shipments 2023
23
Russian market despite sanctions: $90 million Korean fashion 2023
24
Global K-fashion wholesale clubs revenue: $2.3 billion 2023
25
Korean fashion import dependency ratio: 35% in 2023
26
Top export product: Knitwear $4.2 billion to world in 2023
27
Denim exports: $2.8 billion globally from Korea 2023
Interpretation
Exports And International Presence Interpretation
Korean fashion’s global footprint strengthened in 2023 with total exports reaching $15.7 billion, and double digit momentum in key markets such as Vietnam growing 15.4% to $1.8 billion and the US rising 9.7% to $3.2 billion.
03 · Category
Major Brands And Companies26 stats
01
LF, Korea's largest fashion firm, reported 2023 revenue of 4.2 trillion KRW
02
Musinsa platform GMV hit 3.8 trillion KRW in 2023, up 25%
03
Samsung Fashion's Coupang integration sales: 1.1 trillion KRW 2023
04
Hanssem fashion division revenue: 850 billion KRW in 2023
05
E-Land Group total revenue: 3.5 trillion KRW, 40% from fashion 2023
06
Shinsegae International luxury sales: 1.7 trillion KRW 2023
07
F&F Co. casual wear brand revenue: 1.4 trillion KRW 2023
08
TBS Fashion Group exports: 1.2 trillion KRW 2023
09
Bean Pole by LF: 450 billion KRW sales 2023
10
8Seconds fast fashion chain: 320,000 million KRW revenue 2023
11
Stylenanda (Zara Korea partner): 280 billion KRW 2023
12
Net-a-Porter Korea JV sales: 150 billion KRW luxury 2023
13
Woori Fashion Holdings portfolio revenue: 2.1 trillion KRW 2023
14
SPAO youth brand: 410 billion KRW 2023
15
Adore My Love lingerie: 190 billion KRW 2023
16
MIXXO multi-brand revenue: 560 billion KRW 2023
17
Handsome casual menswear: 380 billion KRW 2023
18
System Homme suits: 250 billion KRW 2023
19
Jaju lifestyle brand growth 12% to 220 billion KRW 2023
20
Ader Error streetwear global sales: 180 billion KRW 2023
21
Gentle Monster fashion extension: 300 billion KRW 2023
22
Andersson Bell collab revenue: 120 billion KRW 2023
23
Pushbutton designer brand valuation: 95 billion KRW 2023
24
The Barn unisex brand: 75 billion KRW sales 2023
25
Le Labo Seoul fashion line: 60 billion KRW 2023
26
Kodonbleu premium: 140 billion KRW 2023
Interpretation
Major Brands And Companies Interpretation
Major brands and companies are clearly driving Korea’s fashion growth as shown by LF’s 2023 revenue of 4.2 trillion KRW and Musinsa’s 2023 GMV reaching 3.8 trillion KRW, while E-Land’s 3.5 trillion KRW total revenue with 40 percent from fashion underscores how concentrated and scalable these top players have become.
More related reading
04 · Category
Market Size And Growth30 stats
01
In 2023, the South Korean fashion market reached a value of 45.2 trillion KRW, marking a 4.8% year-over-year growth driven by premiumization trends
02
The apparel segment alone contributed 28.7 trillion KRW to the Korean fashion industry in 2023, representing 63.5% of the total market
03
Korean fashion e-commerce sales surged to 18.9 trillion KRW in 2023, accounting for 41.8% of total fashion retail
04
The luxury fashion market in South Korea grew by 12.3% in 2023 to 5.6 trillion KRW, fueled by HNWIs
05
Fast fashion segment in Korea expanded at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2019-2023, reaching 9.4 trillion KRW
06
Streetwear fashion market in Seoul valued at 2.1 trillion KRW in 2023, with 15% YoY growth
07
Korean fashion industry projected to hit 52.3 trillion KRW by 2027, CAGR 3.7%
08
Offline fashion retail stores in Korea numbered 145,000 in 2023, down 2.1% from 2022
09
Premium denim market in Korea grew 8.9% to 1.2 trillion KRW in 2023
10
Athleisure wear sales in Korea reached 3.8 trillion KRW in 2023, up 11.4%
11
Footwear fashion market in South Korea was 7.5 trillion KRW in 2023, 16.6% of total fashion
12
Accessories segment grew 7.2% to 4.1 trillion KRW in 2023
13
Korean fashion R&D investment hit 1.2 trillion KRW in 2023, up 9.5%
14
Total fashion retail sales per capita in Korea: 890,000 KRW in 2023
15
Mid-market fashion brands captured 42% market share in 2023, valued at 19 trillion KRW
16
Sustainable fashion market in Korea: 2.3 trillion KRW in 2023, 5.1% of total
17
Korean fashion exports contributed 18.4 trillion KRW to GDP in 2023
18
Domestic fashion production value: 32.1 trillion KRW in 2023, up 3.2%
19
Online fashion marketplace GMV: 22.5 trillion KRW in 2023
20
Luxury resale market in Korea: 0.8 trillion KRW in 2023, growth 25%
21
Kids fashion market: 4.2 trillion KRW in 2023, 9.3% share
22
Menswear segment: 12.6 trillion KRW, 27.9% of market in 2023
23
Womenswear dominated with 55.4% share, 25 trillion KRW in 2023
24
Sportswear market grew to 6.9 trillion KRW, CAGR 7.1% 2018-2023
25
Vintage fashion sales: 1.1 trillion KRW in 2023, up 18%
26
Fashion tech integration market: 0.9 trillion KRW in 2023
27
Department store fashion sales: 10.3 trillion KRW in 2023, down 1.2%
28
Pop-up store fashion revenue: 1.5 trillion KRW in 2023
29
K-fashion franchise outlets: 12,500 in 2023
30
Overall fashion industry CAGR projected 4.2% to 2028
Interpretation
Market Size And Growth Interpretation
In 2023 the South Korean fashion market hit 45.2 trillion KRW and grew 4.8% year over year, with e-commerce reaching 18.9 trillion KRW and luxury expanding 12.3% to 5.6 trillion KRW, showing clear momentum in both online retail and higher end segments within the market size and growth outlook.
05 · Category
Sustainability And Employment26 stats
01
Korean fashion industry employed 1.2 million people directly in 2023
02
Sustainability certifications held by Korean fashion firms: 2,450 in 2023, up 18%
03
Fashion manufacturing jobs in Korea: 450,000 in 2023, down 1.5% YoY
04
Recycled material usage in Korean fashion: 12% of total production 2023
05
Female employment rate in fashion retail: 68% in Korea 2023
06
Zero-waste initiatives adopted by 320 Korean brands in 2023
07
Average fashion worker salary: 38 million KRW annually 2023
08
Carbon footprint reduction target met by 45% of major firms: 15% cut in 2023
09
Vocational training programs for fashion designers: 15,000 graduates 2023
10
Water usage reduction in dyeing: 22% average across industry 2023
11
Unionized workforce in fashion: 18% of employees 2023
12
Organic cotton imports for Korean fashion: 45,000 tons 2023
13
Gig economy fashion freelancers: 180,000 in Korea 2023
14
Biodiversity initiatives funding: 50 billion KRW by brands 2023
15
Elderly re-employment in fashion retail: 12% of workforce 2023
16
Blockchain traceability adoption: 28% of supply chains 2023
17
Microplastic reduction efforts: 35% less in effluents 2023
18
Diversity training hours: 4.2 million across firms 2023
19
Renewable energy use in factories: 27% of total 2023
20
Youth apprenticeships in design: 8,500 slots filled 2023
21
Fair trade certified products: 15% market share growth 2023
22
Mental health support programs: Covered 65% employees 2023
23
Upcycling workshops: 2,200 events, 120,000 participants 2023
24
Wage gap closure: 8.2% in fashion vs national 12% 2023
25
Digital upskilling for 250,000 workers 2023
26
Ethical sourcing audits: 92% compliance rate 2023
Interpretation
Sustainability And Employment Interpretation
In 2023, Korea’s fashion sector both strengthened sustainability and supported work, with 2,450 sustainability certifications and 12% recycled-material use growing alongside employment roles for 1.2 million people, even as manufacturing jobs slipped slightly to 450,000.
report visual · Comparison
Korea’s Fashion Demand Shifts: Trend Indicators (2023)
Multiple 2023 signals show where consumer preferences and online purchasing behavior are trending—favoring trend-led styles, digital channels, and sustainability.
Post-pandemic casual wear shift: 67% prefer over formals, 2023 data67%
Korean fashion e-commerce sales surged to 18.9 trillion KRW in 2023, accounting for 41.8% of total fashion retail41.8%
Sustainable materials preference rose to 41% among Korean shoppers in 2023 from 28% in 202041%
Price sensitivity drop: Only 31% cite price as top factor in 2023 vs 45% 202031%
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Megan Gallagher. (2026, February 13). Korea Fashion Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korea-fashion-industry-statistics
MLA
Megan Gallagher. "Korea Fashion Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/korea-fashion-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Megan Gallagher. 2026. "Korea Fashion Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korea-fashion-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level