South Korean fashion designer Andre Kim dies at age 74

SKorean fashion designer Andre Kim dies at age 74

SEOUL, South Korea — Andre Kim, one of South Korea’s best-known fashion designers, has died. He was 74.

Kim died Thursday, several weeks after being admitted to Seoul National University Hospital with pneumonia, hospital official Oh Dong-seo said.

Kim was his country’s most iconic designer, as famous for his glitzy fashion shows featuring top celebrities as for his distinctive personal style of wearing all-white garb and heavy black eyeliner.

Born Kim Bong-nam to a farming family, he launched his fashion career in 1962 when South Korea was emerging from the ruins of the Korean War of the 1950s. He later opened “Salon Andre” in central Seoul.

As Andre Kim, he offered glitz and glamour, and his elaborate, sometimes futuristic gowns were exhibited in shows from Paris to Sydney. His last show was held earlier this year in Beijing.

Kim is survived by a son.