Our journey to discover style and designers continues, in this case modern hanbok, with Leesle Hwang.
We can wear his hanboks in everyday life, as Leeslie made them with fabrics that are easy to work with and wash.
They feature buttons and zips, rather than laces, to close the parts that make up the various layers. They can be easily combined with any type of modern clothing. For women the skirt is shorter and often has comfortable welt pockets on the hips.
We know that the Korean people believe a lot in the signs of destiny. When asked how she approached hanbok, designer Leesle confesses that when she was still attending university, she started wearing traditional clothes that she designed and made in her spare time for fun. A short time later her mother confessed to her that, when she was pregnant, she made hanbok for work. It was precisely then that Leesle decided that this was his path.
One fine day (it seems like a fairy tale), the Leesle team receives a call from a person asking them to collaborate as a sponsor for a very famous person… Jimin of the BTS. Allow me to express my enthusiasm on this topic, because it is linked to one of the most iconic performances in the history of k-pop, which I say, now in the entire history of music!
It was 2018 when Bts made their comeback with one of the songs that made them known especially abroad and made their first television appearances on American talk shows. I'm talking about the song that makes all the armies in the world jump and dance: "Idol” taken from the album Love Yourself: Answer. It is a song that is used to promote the album internationally and above all it is full of instrumental parts of traditional Korean music.
The designer, who, I would like to point out, is part of a small artisan business, is contacted for a stage costume, which Jimin will wear during the performance of the MMa Awards of 2018.
I had just joined Army and I remember literally going crazy in front of the TV screen when Bts started dancing the intro, specially made for the evening. It included various elements of Korean tradition: hanbok, fans, Talchum dancers with traditional masks and costumes, the powerful sound of drums, the beautiful dancing tigers etc. It is truly one of the most beautiful performances I have ever seen, full of colour, obsessive attention to the choreography and above all with these boys, of devastating beauty, dressed in hanbok.
I think that right at that moment, I realized that they weren't just stage costumes, but actually had modern, very simple and essential characteristics and tailoring. In fact, they did not have sequins and sequins, often used in Korean Idol performances.
Jimin wore a simple hanbok with a short jacket down to his hips, low crotch trousers, both black with small white elements, such as the finishing of the collar, which closes in a crisscross pattern on the chest and a small, thin belt that hangs softly.
The designer revealed that she felt an immense emotion, not only because one of her idols was wearing an item made by her maison, but also because she felt part of a national identity.
Just like many ready-to-wear fashion companies, Leesle presents two collections during the annual period, Spring-Summer and Autumn-Winter collection.
In each collection composed on average of 100 models, it presents its flagship item: the Sochangui, a maxi coat from the Joseon Dynasty. Modernized and used as a very light and fluid overcoat in spring or made more structured, with a woolen cloth, in the winter collection.
This garment became extremely popular after Tae Min of Shenee‘s he was photographed while wearing one, deconstructed with a soft, drooping shoulder. I would also like one like this and the designer herself confesses that she always wears it in winter.
In 2020 the fashion house collaborated on a wonderful collection for the Korean band Kards. They were chosen as ambassadors of Kcon:Tact: a series of events taking place around the world to promote the Korean Wave (Hallyu).
This year in Milan Leesle paraded together with Global Fashion Collective (GFC), one of the most important showcases. The GFC, in fact, brings its group of artists to New York Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week and Tokyo Fashion Week.
I am literally in love with Leesle's style, fresh and modern with attention to detail. It features simple cuts, but embellished with some gold print or embroidery, which recalls royal uniforms.
Fortunately you can take a look at his website, where there is the possibility of international shipping and the basic prices are not excessive. However, you must take into account the customs surcharge from Korea which is around 50 euros. (Yes, never a joy for us enthusiasts and collectors!).
I'll leave you the link below and I'll go take a look too, I'm sure I'll find some items that will enhance my style even more.
https://leesle.kr/#none Official site
Vanessa Ranauro
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Source YouTube Korean Now