A Blackpink look for the office – how hanbok, or traditional Korean clothing, inspired a line of casual business attire
- A total of 64 hanbok-inspired office outfits are being showcased at an exhibition in South Korea and will be worn by staff in cultural and arts institutions
- Hanbok-inspired school uniforms have already been introduced in more than 20 institutions across the country
By Park Han-sol
What caught the attention of Blackpink’s global fans when the K-pop girl group unveiled their new hit, How You Like That, on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last summer was their stage costume: modernised hanbok, or traditional Korean attire. The members appeared on stage in traditional jeogori (upper garments) and chima (skirts), which are usually worn on special occasions, but with a modern stylistic twist and flashy colours.
A series of hanbok-inspired office wear is on display as part of a project launched by the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Hanbok Advancement Centre to promote the traditional costume as an accessible fashion item.
Now, it will introduce a collection of hanbok modified as casual business attire. A total of 64 outfits of varying styles, from summer shirts to winter padded jackets, are currently showcased at the exhibition. While retaining hanbok’s signature collars, sleeves and delicate outlines, the series aims to bring a mix of class and comfort appropriate for the office.
At the trial stage, the outfits will be adopted by state-run cultural and arts institutions that are in regular contact with the Korean public and tourists. The ministry hopes to expand its scope to other industries, including tourism and hospitality.
“Work-wear or uniforms are often associated with a standardised, rigid setting,” said Park Ju-young from the Hanbok Advancement Centre’s business team. “We hope to introduce modernised hanbok into this atmosphere to show that the traditional apparel can bring comfort and beauty.”
She added that the employees at the National Hangeul Museum in Seoul, including the information desk staff, docents and culture guides, will wear the hanbok-inspired uniforms later this year, while the Korean Culture Centre in Britain and Vietnam have also decided to adopt the apparel.
“For the culture centres overseas, even if the staff is not wearing the uniform for in-person service tasks, the fact they are wearing the hanbok-inspired attire outside Korea will in itself be meaningful.”
Read the full story at the Korea Times
