Dystopian Black Mirror-approved style and sci-fi shades have been prophesising a unique picture of the future of fashion for some time now…

Just one of the culprits that has got us questioning, “What’s even real anymore?” is South Korean-based optical and sunglasses brand Gentle Monster, who – with its 2018 capsule Once Upon a Future as a case in point – plays on the paradoxical idea of ‘remembering’ times to come as it blurs the lines between reality and fantasy with experimental 'out-there' silhouettes.



Ubiquitous in Asia with 14 stores across Seoul, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore, the brand’s alternate reality now comes to life in London as its 'KUNG FU' showroom lands in the Capital – marking its first bricks-and-mortar space in Europe.

Populated with an army of extraterrestrial creatures that interpret martial arts culture from Earth in various scenarios – be it training to the backdrop of a serene waterfall or performing at an annual championship in front of a crowd – walking into the space is an out-of-this-world experience, that gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'concept' store.

Enter the new dimension… 

Step into the weird and wonderful world of Gentle Monster at 28-29 Argyll Street, London, W1F 7EB – and in the meantime, shop the otherworldly shades here: