Reintroducing Hanbok: Proposing Sustainable Fashion

Tradition does not remain in the past but offers answers to today's questions.

The modern clothing industry leaves a deep footprint on the planet. About 10% of global carbon emissions and approximately 20% of industrial wastewater originate from this industry.

A culture of easy buying and easy discarding creates a massive amount of clothing waste, and synthetic fibers derived from petroleum become microplastics that threaten our water and air.

This is not just an environmental issue; it is also connected to the fatigue of modern individuals living under the pressure to constantly consume new things.

In this reality, the 2025 Hanbok Culture Week, which started on October 21, shows a meaningful movement. This year's theme is 'Modern Hanbok'. At this intersection of tradition and modernity, hanbok is expanding beyond a mere aesthetic object to become a vessel that embodies a way of life.

In particular, the hanbok exchange market held before the culture week was a concrete practice that contemplated the circulation and sustainability of clothing.

The Wisdom of Flat Patterning: A Structure for Longevity

In fact, the structure of hanbok itself contains the wisdom of sustainability. Unlike Western clothing, which is tailored to the curves of the human body, hanbok is cut in straight lines and flat patterns. This is a way to maximize the use of fabric without waste.

Additionally, the ample fit and ties allow for size adjustments, flexibly responding to changes in body shape. It is designed to be worn for a long time, across multiple generations.

From Nature to Nature: The Resilience of Natural Materials

Materials not only follow the cycle of nature but also nurture the body and mind of the wearer. Silk, ramie, hemp, and cotton grow from the earth and return to the earth after use. These natural materials feel different from the moment they touch the skin.

By minimizing chemical processing, they cause less skin irritation, and the fibers allow air to flow, letting the body breathe. The rough yet soft texture of cotton and the rustling sound of silk become a healing language that awakens our senses to nature, weary from artificial noise.

The Inner Space Provided by Ample Fit

The restorative feeling provided by the shape of hanbok is also noteworthy. The loose fit that does not constrict the body offers not only physical comfort but also a sense of psychological liberation. While modern clothing often causes tension in the body to conform to others' gazes, hanbok focuses on the wearer's own comfort.

This spaciousness creates an inner space where one can take a moment to breathe and concentrate on oneself amidst the fast-paced daily life. Restoring balance in body and mind through clothing is another way of life that hanbok proposes.

A Modern Reinterpretation of Tradition

In recent years, hanbok has been constantly reinterpreted and permeated into daily life. Young designers add modern practicality to traditional materials or reinterpret elements of hanbok to apply them to various garments.

This is not about preserving tradition but about recreating it with contemporary sensibilities.

Of course, there are still challenges for hanbok to establish itself as a mainstream part of modern life. It needs to ensure price accessibility and ease of care while enhancing its naturalness as everyday wear.

A sense of balance is needed to respect the original form of tradition while flexibly responding to the changes of the times.

Wearing an Attitude Towards Life Through Clothing

Wearing hanbok is not merely the act of putting on clothes. It is adopting an attitude that respects nature, values objects, and chooses lasting worth.

When we are exhausted by the speed of trends, hanbok can reflect on the sustainability of our lives and the planet, becoming the key to providing complete rest for our bodies and minds.