By Honorary Reporter Minnath Azeez from Sri Lanka

Photos = Hwang Leesle

Modern-style Hanbok outfits worn by the K-pop girl group LOONA, who is this year's promotional ambassador for the Korean Culture and Information Service, were designed by Hwang Leesle, CEO and designer of the Hanbok brand Leesle.

The K-pop girl group LOONA is this year's promotional ambassador for the Korean Cultural and Information Service. The modern-style Hanbok outfits worn by the members in a performance video were designed by Hwang Leesle, CEO and designer of the modern Hanbok brand Leesle.

Her designs were also showcased at the recent exhibition "K-pop X Hanbok" held at Seoul's Dongdaemun Design Plaza. She has also made modern Hanbok for Jimin of BTS, Yujeong of Brave Girls, Twice, Mamamoo, Kard and other Korean acts. 

Hwang had no fashion background in college, graduating from the Department of Forest Environment Science of Chonbuk National University. She later studied  fashion for five years before completing a master's in clothing and textiles, and eventually launched her fashion brand in 2014.

The following are excerpts from an interview with the designer.

What motivated you to start designing Hanbok?
I started making Hanbok in 2006 at age 20. My first design was a fusion costume I wore for a festival at my university inspired by one of my favorite comics "Gung," which is about a Korean palace based in the modern world. I got a lot of compliments from many people for the outfit's design. And I fell so much in love with it that I wanted to share Hanbok's elegance with many people.

What makes your company's outfits different?
When designing Hanbok, I focus on delivering the positive energy of the traditional outfit. I wear Hanbok every day and wearing it makes me feel happy. Most people wear Hanbok on special days, but I do so because it makes me feel special. Once you wear Hanbok, the feeling is much different from that from any other clothes.

You have to want to wear Hanbok. As designers, we need to consider practicality, price, washing methods and how the outfits complement the modern lifestyle. I think people love our designs because we consider all of these factors when designing our Hanbok. 

You've designed Hanbok for many K-pop idols and athletes and display other modern outfits you've made at your store. What is the designing process like?
Every season, I'm interested in different things. Sometimes it's a unique pattern of Hanbok and other times it's a Hanbok curve. When designing Hanbok, I use an array of colors, patterns, shapes and techniques. I just pull out the ones that stand out to me the most. Hanbok is full of motifs over a history of more than 1,000 years.

Why do you think Hanbok remains popular even amid modernization?
Classics don't change over time, and I think Hanbok is a classic. When we think it's forgotten, it comes back decades later after being adapted to modern trends. Fashion repeats itself, and though modernized Hanbok is new, it's still familiar, so people are more enthusiastic about it.

Any last words for lovers and aspiring designers of Hanbok?
For Hanbok to be known more, it's important to wear it. It's no use calling it beautiful or good if you don't wear it. Instead of evaluating or pointing out a set standard, we must praise and encourage the act of wearing Hanbok.

For Hanbok designers like myself, I hope we can use this positivity and establish Hanbok as a fashion and cultural genre.

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.