How nice would it be if the hanbok naturally permeates our daily life and people walk the streets wearing it?

There is a designer who wears hanboks in everyday attire, even if working hard, dining out, and going to see cherry blossoms. That designer is Hwang Leesle. She designs 'modern hanbok' in Jeonju, where she was born and raised. Hanboks are the traditional attire of the Korean people. Yet, on the other hand, the ‘modern hanbok’ is a hanbok that can be worn casually in everyday life, not only for formal attire. You might be surprised to hear that Hwang graduated from JBNU in the Department of Forest Environment Science. However, she started her own business with only a computer and a digital camera fifteen years ago, which now boasts a four-story shop. Now the inspiring story about her making and defining new ways to popularize hanboks will be told.

Just Be Me!

The words that represent her well are “local creator” and “originality”. Jeonju is where she has been staying since childhood. Her working background is based in Jeonju, which means a lot to her. She calls herself a local creator who creates brands, new designs, a new sense of living, and so forth, all while living in Jeonju. Staying out of the capital area, Seoul, used to be considered being ‘left behind’. However, in this globalized world, having your own unique characteristics has become more appealing. That is where her originality comes from. Hwang focuses on creating her own unique lifestyle. She tries to understand what it is to be fully herself by coloring her own life hues and treading her own path. 

Break the Frame Every Day.

This year, the LEESLE brand has celebrated its fifteenth anniversary. Hwang has gone through a variety of hardships up until now. She was not a fashion major, nor did she have a financial basis that could establish a brand. For fifteen years, she tried to break the big and small frames that had restricted her progress and decided to practice her thoughts concretely and objectively. As an undergraduate, the first time she designed a hanbok she incorporated a modern style and wore it to the university festival. When she posted that hanbok she wore on the internet, the responses of people were better than she thought. She felt fulfilled in being recognized for her creation, and at that moment her dream job was to become a hanbok designer. That was how Hwang realized what she was really into, which finally led her to establish “Sonjjang” in 2006. It changed to “LEESLE” in 2014, which is named after her. 

The Designs of LEESLE.

Hwang said that it is necessary to understand the history of the hanbok as well as understanding sewing technology and clothing in order to design hanboks. She does not want to stick to old techniques. It is also important to have a rapid sense of what consumers like. LEESLE’s famous winter goods include the “Sochangui Maxi Coat”. ‘Sochangui’ is a long, narrow-sleeved, side-tipped garment worn by the elite of the Joseon Dynasty. The Sochangui Maxi Coat is made by combining the current wool fabric trend with the Korean traditional costume sochangui design. The design is as sophisticated as a famous name brand coat, so people who tried it on were very satisfied with it. A few celebrities even wore this coat, and it was also selected as an ‘excellent cultural product’ by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

Is the Lifestyle of a Hanbok Designer Different?

Living a healthy life - all focused on hanboks - in order to work as long as she can: this is the lifestyle that Hwang pursues. Her house is just a minute away from the office. She tries to get enough sleep at night and to eat meals as much as possible. Yet, she adores her work so much that her life is completely devoted to hanboks. From dusk till dawn she literally works, designs, and lives with hanboks.

Hwang’s Instagram is full of “hanbok projects”. She hopes that people can see her creations and consider hanboks as fashionable yet daily attire. When she visited Everland, where you can encounter a variety of fantasy costumes, she convinced her boyfriend (who is now her husband) to dress up in a hanbok costume with her. It was his first time to get attention and praise for his clothing, so Hwang felt proud of him. He realized hanboks are comfortable and delightful to wear. Moreover, Hwang’s identification card picture is extraordinary. She wore a hanbok in the picture. Many others who saw it hoped to take pictures in a hanbok as well. 

Above all, the most interesting project was her wedding. Instead of a wedding dress and tuxedo, the couple showed up in elegant hanboks. Not only them, but their whole family wore hanboks. Moreover, the couple designed the wedding invitations by drawing themselves dressed in hanboks and recommending their favorite Jeonju restaurants by posting QR codes on the invitations, since there were many guests from different cities. Every single detail eventually made a perfect wedding for Hwang, which showcased her identity and individuality. 

Don’t Be Shy, Try Anything!

When attending JBNU, Hwang majored in the Department of Forest Environment Science. She then entered the Graduate School of Clothing & Textile at Sookmyung Women’s University. As she succeeded in her career at an early age, which was different from her original major, the Globe reporters wanted to ask her for advice about students who are feeling concerned about their careers. For many students who wonder about their unclear future jobs or careers that do not match their majors, Hwang recommends that they are “to be BRAVE.” She has seen several people who succeeded in a field different from their major. “You can try finding your dream no matter your age, even in your fifties. It will be worthwhile to achieve your dreams in order to live happily for the rest of your life,” she added. 

Furthermore, she encourages students to make simple inquiries, or begin small projects about their interests. Making resolutions, and following them through, will make a splendid individual portfolio. She herself wore hanboks a hundred times when she was an undergraduate student. Each time, it made her life more vibrant and full of her own personality. “Do whatever you want; give your life a challenge!”

Even now, hanboks are considered as traditional and ceremonial clothing only worn on special occasions. However, Hwang endeavors to change this. She said the tradition needs to be fluidly conveyed with an approach closer to contemporary people. Thus, she hopes to keep the tradition alive by casually communicating with the modern mood, through designing a 21st-century version of the hanbok. 

“An iconic designer who goes down in hanbok history”; that is what we might call her in the near future. Hwang Leesle will surely be remembered in clothing history as a key figure in modern hanbok development. 

 Hong Sammy Editor, Han Hee-jeong Reporter