By Honorary Reporter Sharon Pwavi Babale from Nigeria

Photos = David Patrick

I posed as a model wearing the traditional Hanbok of a Joseon Dynasty queen for a photography project.

Early this year, I got to model for two professional photographers who visited the Korean Cultural Center in Abuja to take pictures. I dressed in a ceremonial hanbok of a Joseon Dynasty queen with a tteoguli (butterfly-shaped headwear). I am always intrigued by the uniqueness of Hanbok, its well-defined necklines and bright colors. Wearing a Hanbok to me is always an opportunity to fully maximize the wearer's uniqueness and beauty.

At this point, I asked myself, "Can Hanbok be contemporary fashion wear for Nigerians?" The queen's Hanbok I wore was meant for weddings but wouldn't fit my everyday urban lifestyle with pants, court shoes and sneakers.

A gat offers great protection against the Nigerian sun.

So what about the jeogori (traditional jacket)? I thought that pairing this with jeans, pants or skirts can be fashionable as either a crop top or waist-length shirt. 

Nigeria is blessed with two seasons: the Harmattan (dry and dusty period) and the rainy season. Both seasons can be sunny to a fault. So some form of protection like a gat (traditional men's hat) is needed. If culturally permissible, I believe this hat can be worn by either sex. 

For my next project, I will try on knee-length chima (skirt) with a T-shaped V-neck Hanbok.

I am thinking of more ways to wear Hanbok more often.

kalhong617@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.