By Honorary Reporter Sruthi Edakkal Peedikayil from India

A video featuring actor Suzy wearing six Hanbok brands from Dec. 24-25 was screened at Times Square in New York. One of the six, Hanbok Moon, is led by Hwang Sun-tae. 

The following are excerpts from a Dec. 26 email interview with the designer.

Briefly introduce your brand
My company was launched in 2013 and is located in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do Province. We specialize in renting and designing customized Hanbok for every occasion.

Hwang Sun-tae is the CEO of the Hanbok maker Hanbok Moon, which was launched in 2013. (Hwang Sun-tae)

What inspired your Hanbok design featured at Times Square and Elle Korea magazine?
We opted for a blend of royal European and traditional Korean styles to express the beauty of Hanbok with hand embroidery on the neck, which symbolizes wealth and fame. To stand out, we took inspiration from lined ceremonial skirts and girdles rather than choosing traditional Hanbok skirts.

This Hanbok outfit worn by actor Suzy was designed by Hanbok Moon. (Elle Korea magazine)

Can you walk us through your design?
The Hanbok features a peony embroidery (mokdansu) girdle as a traditional design symbolizing wealth and fame under a concept inspired by a European royal family. I imagined the model walking on a royal red carpet with background walls decorated with royal portraits. So for the upper side, I used black to highlight embroidery of pink flowers and branches and wood. The lower part had a glossy green color used to brocade. To balance tradition and innovation, we used a girdle by maintaining the outer pleats as a traditional Hanbok.

Elle Korea's first cover of 2024 features actor Suzy wearing an outfit designed by Hanbok Moon. (Elle Korea magazine)

How was your design picked for display at Times Square and on Elle Korea magazine?

Our company was selected for the Hanbok Wave project organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korean Craft and Design Foundation to showcase the beauty of Hanbok.

How long did it take to complete this design?
Our seven team members completed the outfit in three months. From buying materials to selecting embroidery threads, we did everything together.

What challenges do you face in promoting Hanbok abroad?
In my opinion, most people have little knowledge of traditional Hanbok. People follow trends and fashion and thus usually forget the value of traditional Hanbok. The dominance of global fashion leads to an image of Hanbok as occasional clothing. It's also difficult to establish a Hanbok brand on the global market, where everyone goes after trends.

What advice do you have for aspiring Hanbok designers?
Learn more about Hanbok. Study the pattern, elements, traditional colors, embroidery and innovate what you learn. Never miss a chance to show your talent. Always respect traditional designs while adapting ideas from modern trends. Do everything with love and dream big.

What are your plans as a Hanbok designer?
We will produce lifestyle designs based on traditional culture and launch a second brand in 2024.

msjeon22@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.