Historical Context

Korea has a rich cultural heritage in fashion, rooted in the symbolism and craftsmanship of hanbok, the nation's traditional attire. Characterized by flowing silhouettes, vibrant colors, and symbolic motifs, the hanbok embodies ideals of harmony, modesty, and natural beauty. Over centuries, Korea has both influenced and been influenced by the cultures of other regions across Asia through active exchange. This closely aligns with the spirit of the Belt and Road Initiative. In contemporary times, Korean fashion is globally recognized for its dynamic creativity, merging traditional aesthetics with modern innovation in textiles, sustainability, and design concepts.

Cultural Exchange

In both cultures, red symbolizes vitality and auspiciousness, while the layered silhouettes and textile artistry found in hanbok and Chinese wedding garments convey not only beauty but also social values. Throughout the collection, Chinese motifs are organically fused with Korean design sensibilities that emphasize structure, transformation, and narrative.

In the Korean context, the red color and peony embroidery motifs—traditionally used in wedding garments and women's ceremonial attire—were digitally reinterpreted through AI-assisted DTP (Digital Textile Printing) technology. This fusion of heritage symbolism and digital innovation highlights how technology can extend and transform traditional aesthetics in contemporary fashion.

The Fashion Collection

This work is created by a Chinese designer studying in Korea, combining the traditional culture of the designer's homeland, China, with Korea's innovative and modern contemporary culture. Centered on Chinese cultural symbols such as red silk, the "Double Happiness" motif, and braiding crafts, the collection also embraces the experimental aesthetics and structural approaches of contemporary Korean design.

By reinterpreting Chinese feudal symbols through a feminist lens, the designs transform signs of oppression into emblems of agency and freedom, while integrating Korea's modern spirit of innovation. In doing so, the project resonates with global discourses on women's rights, diversity, and inclusivity, delivering a message that is both contemporary and universally relevant.

Design Philosophy

The collection "Red Silk Breaking the Cocoon" takes inspiration from Paper Bride, a 2021 Chinese folk horror puzzle game that critiques the oppressive traditions of feudal "marriage sacrifice" culture. The red bridal gown, a cultural symbol of China, serves as the foundation. By combining intangible cultural heritage crafts such as traditional braiding techniques (繩編工藝) with symbolic patterns like the "Double Happiness" motif (囍字紋), the designs expose the contradiction between the celebratory surface of weddings and the hidden pain of women's objectification.

Materials are chosen to reflect weight and duality: blood-red beads symbolize tears of past generations, while heavy draping recalls the bridal shroud. Every stitch emphasizes the story of resistance, transforming garments into narratives of women reclaiming agency. The philosophy guiding this design is liberation—turning symbols of bondage into emblems of power and transforming silence into voice through fashion.