Models sweep down the runway in their elegant Hanbok dresses during the Moonlight Hanbok Fashion Show at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Oct. 22.
This past weekend, a Hanbok fashion show splashed Korea’s five traditional colors across the courtyards of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
In celebration of Hanbok Day, Oct. 21, a moonlight Hanbok fashion show was held in the plaza in front of the Heungnaemun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Oct. 22, under the theme of “Hanbok Renaissance.” Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yoonsun and Director Choi Jeong-chul of the Hanbok Advancement Center attended the event, joined by Hanbok designers, foreign ambassadors and visitors from around the world.
The fashion show showcased both traditional and modern Hanbok looks based on the obangsaek (오방색, 五方色) color scheme, the five main colors of the traditional Korean color spectrum. Part one of the show featured a lineup of 19 traditional Hanbok outfits made by designers Lee Young-Hee, Kim Hye-soon, Kim In-ja and Lee Mun-jae. Next, a selection of 63 modern Hanbok pieces designed by nine up-and-coming designers explored how Hanbok can be transformed to suit a 21st century lifestyle.
The Moonlight Hanbok Fashion Show held at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Oct. 22 showcases modern interpretations of traditional Hanbok clothes, and features evening wear decorated with lace and complemented by elaborate head ornaments.
Models wearing traditional Hanbok outfits walk the runway during the Moonlight Hanbok Fashion Show at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Oct. 22.
For the show’s finale, an ensemble of men and women from around the world in colorful Hanbok danced an upbeat number on the runway. “I decided to participate in the closing performance because I wanted to have a good time with my friends wearing Hanbok. The Hanbok I’m wearing today is amazing and quite comfortable too, ” said Elaheh Nazaru, a Seoul National University student from Iran. Ajay and Kratika Jain, a couple from India, said, “We got to try on Hanbok together for the first time thanks to this event. We’re happy that we got to experience this night at the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace.”
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yoonsun delivers the opening speech at the 2016 Hanbok Day event at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Oct. 22.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yoonsun attended the fashion show wearing an elegant red Hanbok.
“Korean dramas are adored by fans all around the world, including recent hits like ‘Love in the Moonlight’ and classics like ‘Jewel in the Palace,’ ‘Hwang Jini’ and ‘Moon Embracing the Sun.’ They all have one thing in common: our elegant, resplendent Hanbok,” said the minister during her opening speech.
“Hanbok is worn by Koreans and by people from other parts of the world, and as a cultural asset, it has the potential to grow from its ancient roots into a type of clothing for the future. In celebration of Hanbok Day, we should wear and embrace our Hanbok clothes so as to preserve our cultural heritage and to keep it alive in the here and now.”
By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Jeon Han, Korea.net Photographer
hlee10@korea.kr
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yoonsun looks around the Trends in Hanbok showroom before the Moonlight Hanbok Fashion Show at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Oct. 22.
During the curtain call for the Moonlight Hanbok Fashion Show at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Oct. 22, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yoonsun (center), as well as designers, models and other guests, wave farewell to the audience from the stage.
