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First lady's eco-friendly vegan bag draws attention
President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee bid farewell before departing for the United States at Seoul Air Base in Gyeonggi Province, Monday. The black handbag Kim carries in this photo drew a lot of public attention. Yonhap
By Jun Ji-hye
By Jun Ji-hye
The choices of presidential wives tend to attract a lot of public attention. The clothes and bags chosen by Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee are no exception.
This time, a black handbag that Kim carried when she departed for the United States with her husband President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit is drawing attention.
According to fashion industry officials, Wednesday, the bag was launched by local fashion brand Marhen.J for the spring and summer seasons last year.
The bag is made of apple leather, a bio-based leather-like material using the leftover pomace and peel from fruit juice and compote manufacturing.
The material, which is not made from animal hide, is more environmentally friendly and ethically sound.
When Kim accompanied President Yoon during a visit to Japan last month, Kim carried this bag as well.
On the website of Marhen.J, the bag is available in four colors, with the factory price set at 378,000 won ($283).
Kim has often carried purses and bags made by domestic brands.
In June of last year, when she accompanied the president to Spain, she was spotted carrying Amorepacific's “Archive Wappen Eco Bag” when she visited the upcycling brand Ecoalf's store.
Last January, when departing for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a state visit with Yoon, she was also seen carrying a beige handbag made by local upcycling brand Harlie K.