By Kim Eun-young and Kim Min-Jeung
Video = Kim Eun-young

Fashion designer Lie Sang Bong is famous for combining traditional Korean aspects of beauty with his modern fashion designs, featuring the Hangeul alphabet, the traditional dancheong painting style, and the mugunghwa hibiscus, the national flower of the country, for example. This time around, Lie has showcased outfits that feature cartoons on Aug. 15 at the opening ceremony for the 21st Bucheon International Comics Festival.

In spite of the scorching heat, some 4,000 people, including President Ahn Jong-cheol of the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency (KOMACON), and cartoonist Lee Hyun-se, attended the fashion show. The theme of the fashion show was "dream of shadow," and it started with a magician on stage summoning cartoon characters to life. Lie’s outfits were in harmony with various aspects of art, such as dance and music. There were also shows in which Korean students who were majoring in fashion design collaborated with non-Korean cosplayers in their self-made costumes and fashion accessories that represented specific characters.

Korea.net sat down with designer Lie to talk about his newest outfits that feature cartoon and pop culture characters.

- This might be the first of its kind: a fashion show that features cartoon and graphic novel characters. What are your thoughts on that?

“I’ve been thinking about how to approach people all around the world with fashion in a friendly manner. Then the comic books I read during my childhood suddenly came to mind. Fashion can blend well with other genres, while comics portray one's infinite imagination. I was curious about the synergy resulting from the combination of the two genres.

- What are some differences with your prior shows?

Before this show, my outfits were centered around luxury. Since men and women of all ages enjoy comic strips, however, this time I showcased some outfits that anyone can wear and with which they can identify.

- Please tell us about the theme of this fashion show.

The theme is "dream of shadow." We mostly live facing forward. There’s no time to look back or to think about our shadows. However, they are also another part of ourselves. I chose this theme because we should take the time to look back on our own lives.

- Tell us about some of the outfits on the walkway this time.

There are 70 outfits in total. Just as color was added to black and white comic strips, so, too, are the colorless outfits followed by the chromatic ones. Outfits that portray the busy life of people today are also introduced, not to mention outfits that you can wear back to front or inside out, just like the theme says, "dream of shadow."

- Are there any comic strips that inspired you in particular?

Yes, cartoonist Joo Ho-min’s "Along With the Gods" (신과함께) (2010-2012). I was drawn by the outfits of the characters who went to and fro among the past, present and afterlife. It was interesting because these outfits can only be created in an imaginary world of comic strips.

- What message would you like to deliver through this fashion show?

I want to harmonize fashion with other aspects of art, and portray them through my infinite imagination. I hope the audience feels the dreams and passion they felt in their childhood while reading comic strips. I also hope this fashion show will inspire artists in all areas to dream about new challenges.

- Finally, please tell us a bit about your future plans.

I hope to retouch the outfits that I introduced at this fashion show and unveil them during New York Fashion Week next year. My goal is to make outfits with which people around the world can identify. I want to combine futuristic aspects with "Korean style" clothing.

eykim86@korea.kr