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Korean-American artist Patricia Lee is introducing the Korean traditional wrapping fabric ``bojagi,'' with a modern twist, to the U.S. market, through her Bobo Wrapping Scarf Company. / Courtesy of Patricia Lee |
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
It only takes one glance at the zebra prints, bright floral patterns and polka dot fabrics of Bobo Wrapping Scarf Company to know that these are not your grandmother's ``bojagi.''
The traditional Korean wrapping cloth has been updated with a fresh and funky twist for the American market, thanks to Korean-American artist Patricia Lee.
Lee came up with the idea of introducing bojagi as an eco-friendly alternative to gift wrapping paper in the U.S.
In a telephone interview with The Korea Times, Lee said she was disgusted with the amount of trash generated from gift wrapping and packaging during the Christmas holidays. According to the U.S. Clean Air Council, an additional 4 million tons of wrapping paper and shopping bags are generated during the holiday season.
``Even worse was the thought that so many other American families were going through the same mindless ritual we were and creating millions of tons of garbage! That's when I decided to try wrapping with bojagi for my family and friends, and never wrapped with paper again,'' she said.
Lee, who lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children, began learning how to sew and make her own bojagi. She started giving bojagi-wrapped gifts to her friends, and it proved to be an instant hit.
What started as a hobby for Lee eventually became a business. ``It really touched a nerve with people. Everyone wants to become more eco-friendly. People think I'm a genius for this, but I keep telling them, no, I didn't invent it,'' she laughed.
``It's a tradition that's been around for centuries in Korea. ... I remember when I was in college, I visited my aunt in Korea and she was using bojagi. I thought she was a genius, but she thought I was laughing at her because many people in Korea think it's very old-fashioned and only used by old people.''
But Lee saw bojagi's potential, especially in the U.S. where people are becoming more conscious about reducing their carbon footprint. To make it more appealing to the American consumer, she began calling it ``bobos,'' a catchy name that would be easy for people to remember.
Described as ``eco-luxe reusable wraps,'' the bobos are now available in luxurious Asian-inspired brocades, trendy animal prints, quirky stripes and floral patterns.
Lee uses fabrics purchased on the secondary market in New York City ― where designers' leftover materials are sold ― and then creates all the styles and color combinations of the doubled-sided wrapping scarves.
Lee, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, also published a book, ``The Wrapping Scarf Revolution,'' last September. The book, which details the history of the wrapping scarf and various wrapping styles, targets DIY enthusiasts who want to learn how to make their own wrapping scarves.
The Bobo Wrapping Scarf Company has only been around for two years, but it is slowly taking off. During the busy holiday season, Lee appeared on several TV shows, including the popular Good Morning America, to introduce this Korean tradition that combines style with functionality.
``It is definitely a challenge to try to convince Americans that they can actually tie the knots and I invest a lot of time communicating to people how simple it is to use wrapping scarves,'' she said.
The bobo wrapping scarves are available in 60 stores nationwide in the U.S., as well as in Japan and Canada. Prices range from $14 to $48, depending on the size and fabric.
Ironically, the bojagi tradition is not as popular in Korea as before. ``While we can treasure and cherish the ancient bojagi tradition, we must redesign and reinvent it for the modern world. ... I think people should take a look at the things that allowed Korea to so quickly become such an advanced country and take pride in things like the ingenious bojagi, which is so indicative of the Korean spirit to be resourceful and not waste,'' she said.
Lee, who moved to the U.S. when she was five, is happy to share this aspect of Korean culture with Americans.
``When I was young, there were no other Koreans at my school. No one knew where Korea was and (people) kept calling me Chinese or Japanese. There are so many uniquely wonderful things about Korean culture that are not widely known and I hope to share more of our culture with the global community,'' she said.
cathy@koreatimes.co.kr |
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