What is [PROJECT HANBOK]?
PROJECT HANBOK is a project that introduces our beautiful Hanbok to the world and promote its beauty.
Through project Hanbok, I would like to produce a fashion magazine that shows the beauty of Hanbok not through academia but by proving its potential as a fashion statement. The magazine will be produced in Korean and English, and if we successfully take the first step, we plan to convert it into a regular publication.
PROJECT HANBOK is a project that introduces our beautiful Hanbok to the world and promote its beauty.
Through project Hanbok, I would like to produce a fashion magazine that shows the beauty of Hanbok not through academia but by proving its potential as a fashion statement. The magazine will be produced in Korean and English, and if we successfully take the first step, we plan to convert it into a regular publication.
Why is it [PROJECT HANBOK]?
Why doesn't Hanbok appear much in fashion? I grew up abroad running a design team with my mother and although Hanbok can be seen relatively often in Korea, there were only few opportunities to see it. Due to this, Hanbok felt like a breath of fresh air. It was an entirely new prespective to me, so with that in mind I tried designing a new Hanbok that could incorpate the old and the new. The traditional and the modern. A new take on the dress with fabrics designed by me and my mother. And to allow Koreans abroad to access our Hanbok we decided to release our website also in English.
Too much information to sort through? The most difficult thing in establishing a hanbok brand was the question of how we should promote the hanbok. It's hard to find Hanbok overseas and most people don't even know what it is. As a result, there was so much information to convey about Hanbok.
It was necessary to introduce the differences between Hanbok and Western clothes, the different types of patterns and fabrics, modern Hanbok, traditional Hanbok, and various other Hanboks like the daily-wear hanbok.
At the same time, I wanted to introduce various fashion Hanboks to promote it and listen to various voices of interested people. So, I decided to start the project in hopees I can achieve this goal.
Why isn't there an English medium about Hanbok? In 2020, Korean idols BLACKPINK and BTS appeared in music videos wearing hanbok and became viral overseas, and the Netflix seris Kingdom also gained popularity, raising interest in hanbok around the globe.
But the influence was still very limited. In North America and Europe, many would not be able to tell the difference between the Hanbok and the Kimono, with some even calling Hanbok the Korean Kimono. This issue was further complicated with a Netflix documentary protraying a mixture of Kimono and traditional Chinese clothes as Hanbok. And now there are countries that claim Hanbok as their own heritage.
This is a serious situation, but not many people abroad know about it, and there is little movement to solve the problem.
Why doesn't Hanbok appear much in fashion? I grew up abroad running a design team with my mother and although Hanbok can be seen relatively often in Korea, there were only few opportunities to see it. Due to this, Hanbok felt like a breath of fresh air. It was an entirely new prespective to me, so with that in mind I tried designing a new Hanbok that could incorpate the old and the new. The traditional and the modern. A new take on the dress with fabrics designed by me and my mother. And to allow Koreans abroad to access our Hanbok we decided to release our website also in English.
Too much information to sort through? The most difficult thing in establishing a hanbok brand was the question of how we should promote the hanbok. It's hard to find Hanbok overseas and most people don't even know what it is. As a result, there was so much information to convey about Hanbok.
It was necessary to introduce the differences between Hanbok and Western clothes, the different types of patterns and fabrics, modern Hanbok, traditional Hanbok, and various other Hanboks like the daily-wear hanbok.
At the same time, I wanted to introduce various fashion Hanboks to promote it and listen to various voices of interested people. So, I decided to start the project in hopees I can achieve this goal.
Why isn't there an English medium about Hanbok? In 2020, Korean idols BLACKPINK and BTS appeared in music videos wearing hanbok and became viral overseas, and the Netflix seris Kingdom also gained popularity, raising interest in hanbok around the globe.
But the influence was still very limited. In North America and Europe, many would not be able to tell the difference between the Hanbok and the Kimono, with some even calling Hanbok the Korean Kimono. This issue was further complicated with a Netflix documentary protraying a mixture of Kimono and traditional Chinese clothes as Hanbok. And now there are countries that claim Hanbok as their own heritage.
This is a serious situation, but not many people abroad know about it, and there is little movement to solve the problem.
What is included in the [PROJECT HANBOK]?
About the beauty of Hanbok Modern Classic Style During the Joseon Dynasty, there were many restrictions on clothes due the conservative ideology at the time and because of this even the current Hanbok we see today does not appear to be very fancy. But in puruit of beauty even rigid restrictions weren't enough to stop it. From a designer's point of view, Hanbok designs pursued and acheived its beauty through its form, proportion, and the harmony of monochromatic colors. The elegance of Hanbok can be attributed to these factors.
To sum up, Hanbok is not about a glitzy sight, but it retains a subtle and classical beauty like classical music that you can enjoy for a long time.
Another way to understand Korean culture and Korean people. Project Hanbok is not about claiming Hanbok as the most beautiful clothing in the world or delivering a of message superiority. Clothes contain the life and culture of the area. Clothes have always been part of the history of humankind, so I believe they are the best window into our lives and society.
Through Project Hanbok, I would like to create a new avenue to understand the life and culture of Koreans. I would like to explore and wonder about the future of Hanbok through stories of our traditional & modern Hanbok. And I hope during this process of exploration I will be able help those who wish to know & understand Korean culture.
About the beauty of Hanbok Modern Classic Style During the Joseon Dynasty, there were many restrictions on clothes due the conservative ideology at the time and because of this even the current Hanbok we see today does not appear to be very fancy. But in puruit of beauty even rigid restrictions weren't enough to stop it. From a designer's point of view, Hanbok designs pursued and acheived its beauty through its form, proportion, and the harmony of monochromatic colors. The elegance of Hanbok can be attributed to these factors.
To sum up, Hanbok is not about a glitzy sight, but it retains a subtle and classical beauty like classical music that you can enjoy for a long time.
Another way to understand Korean culture and Korean people. Project Hanbok is not about claiming Hanbok as the most beautiful clothing in the world or delivering a of message superiority. Clothes contain the life and culture of the area. Clothes have always been part of the history of humankind, so I believe they are the best window into our lives and society.
Through Project Hanbok, I would like to create a new avenue to understand the life and culture of Koreans. I would like to explore and wonder about the future of Hanbok through stories of our traditional & modern Hanbok. And I hope during this process of exploration I will be able help those who wish to know & understand Korean culture.
Content included in [PROJECT HANBOK]
[Fashion] Introduction to various forms of Hanbok fashion that encompasses from traditionl to modern
[Fashion] Possibilities as work clothes
[Fashion] Hanbok and products using traditional Korean patterns
[Interview] The beauty of Hanbok seen by an oriental painter:
[Interview] About the Meaning and Culture of Hanbok to Korean-American Second Generation: Kristin Sim
The origin of Hanbok:
[Essay] The story of growth and healing through the tale of Princess Baridegi.
[Essay] Hanbok, matching cloth dolls - A review of our self-portraits
We are preparing other various content as well and some contents may be modified during the project.
[Fashion] Introduction to various forms of Hanbok fashion that encompasses from traditionl to modern
[Fashion] Possibilities as work clothes
[Fashion] Hanbok and products using traditional Korean patterns
[Interview] The beauty of Hanbok seen by an oriental painter:
[Interview] About the Meaning and Culture of Hanbok to Korean-American Second Generation: Kristin Sim
The origin of Hanbok:
[Essay] The story of growth and healing through the tale of Princess Baridegi.
[Essay] Hanbok, matching cloth dolls - A review of our self-portraits
We are preparing other various content as well and some contents may be modified during the project.
Who We Are?
Veronica [Daughter]: Writer and designer.! Due to her mother's influence, she began sewing at the age of seven and began designing at the age of thirteen. Her first book was published as a co-author with her mother "The Perfect Quilt Bags" (C&T, 2016/Spring), and then as sole author of "Seamless Sewing Projects" (Capstone, 2018) at the age of 17. Thanks to the infuence of her designer mother, Veronica was able to have a creative outlet early on in her life.
Veronica [Daughter]: Writer and designer.! Sue has been an Author and Designer since 2008. C&T Pub published five books. In addition, she has authored five joint books and have contributed or collabareted with 20 magazines. Currently she operates the ithinksew.com website and has over 300,000 members worldwide.
Veronica [Daughter]: Writer and designer.! Due to her mother's influence, she began sewing at the age of seven and began designing at the age of thirteen. Her first book was published as a co-author with her mother "The Perfect Quilt Bags" (C&T, 2016/Spring), and then as sole author of "Seamless Sewing Projects" (Capstone, 2018) at the age of 17. Thanks to the infuence of her designer mother, Veronica was able to have a creative outlet early on in her life.
Veronica [Daughter]: Writer and designer.! Sue has been an Author and Designer since 2008. C&T Pub published five books. In addition, she has authored five joint books and have contributed or collabareted with 20 magazines. Currently she operates the ithinksew.com website and has over 300,000 members worldwide.
Participate in [PROJECT HANBOK]
We need your participation! This so far, has been the work of the Hanbok team. Although I am having a great time working on this project with just my team, we thrive to do better and constantly think about whether we are proceeding in the right direction.
Now that Project Hanbok will be released to the world, I want it to be met with various different perspectives and experiences. Participation on ideations, interviews, and modeling are open. There will be an announcement on Instagram, so for further information please follow our Instagram account!
We need your participation! This so far, has been the work of the Hanbok team. Although I am having a great time working on this project with just my team, we thrive to do better and constantly think about whether we are proceeding in the right direction.
Now that Project Hanbok will be released to the world, I want it to be met with various different perspectives and experiences. Participation on ideations, interviews, and modeling are open. There will be an announcement on Instagram, so for further information please follow our Instagram account!