American designer collaborates on hanbok
Venezuelan-American fashion designer Carolina Herrera, left, talk with the project director Kan Ho-seob at a private event at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York on Feb. 15. / Courtesy of Hanbok Advancement Center
By Kim Jae-heun
Korean traditional attire hanbok has not gained as much attention as China’s qipao or Japan’s kimono on the international stage.
When Korean hanbok designer Lee Young-hee first showcased the country’s traditional wear at the Paris Fashion Week in 1994, the local press described her collection “clothes of the wind,” praising its elegant and fine lines. However, it was mistakenly introduced as a “Korean kimono,” not hanbok, reflecting the traditional Korean costume’s low international profile back then.
Over two decades have passed since Lee’s runway show in Paris. But no major changes have occurred when it comes to hanbok’s profile on the international scene. Despite the many past efforts the Korean government has made to promote the attire around the globe, it is still underappreciated.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Hanbok Advancement Center changed their plans to better promote the Korean attire by collaborating with internationally acclaimed fashion designer Carolina Herrera, the first endeavor by the government to carry out a cooperation project with a foreign designer.
A Hanbok Advancement Center official said the project’s purpose is to study the hanbok’s competitiveness in the global market and the potential of its industrialization. They hope more foreigners from all parts of the globe recognize hanbok through this event.
Venezuelan-American fashion designer Carolina Herrera’s three new custom hanbok are on display at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, this month. / Courtesy of Hanbok Advancement Center
World-class designers such as Dries Van Noten, Karl Lagerfeld and Jean-Paul Gaultier have presented their own interpretations of hanbok, during their visits to Korea for the surprise runway. But the Korean government was not involved in their hanbok runway shows.
Herrera unveiled three custom-made hanbok at a private event at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York on Feb. 15, which later was shipped to Seoul for the showcase for locals at Horim Arts Center in Seoul, Wednesday.
The American designer made a wedding dress, evening dress and a two-piece skirt suit at her atelier that favorably reflects her signature aesthetic while keeping the essence of the traditional beauty of the hanbok.
She laid a head-dress like veil on a white wedding dress and embroidered flower patterns on the pink evening gown inspired from Korean court attire. The suit with a black top matched with a grey skirt looked most practical with its waistband wrapped around like “go-reum” style of hanbok.
“I am very into Korean culture,” said Herrera during the private showcase in New York City. “I feel traditional Korean hanbok is more than fashion. I’ve always been intrigued by the traditional Korean colors and details and it was the inspiration for my Spring 2011 collection. It’s an honor for me to be a part of such a wonderful collaboration in 2017.”
The project director and designer Kan Ho-seob added Herrera’s hanbok, focused on the current trend of people’s need while gaining sympathy for the elegant beauty of traditional attire.
The Venezuelan-American fashion designer is well-known for dressing various first ladies such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump.