On the opposite side of the globe, Korean Thanksgiving is being celebrated. I discovered a bit of its beauty just by chance last week and felt it was too good not to share. To make this world feel a little bit smaller I thought it would be fun to do a segment on a special costume worn this time of year in Korea, the Hanbok.
An Instagram search took me to South Korea where the images of preschool aged children in colorful silk gowns were trending. I virtually met a few delightful folks who helped enlighten me and let me share their stories and captures of this gorgeous traditional dress and its significance.
Korean photographer Sung Chul Chang has captured stunning images of children wearing Hanbok.
Photo: sung.chul.chang (https://instagram.com/studio_creah)
Model: 신린아
Hanbok are typically worn on Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) and Sulna (Lunar New Year's Day). Yesterday, South Korea celebrated Chuseok and prior to this festive holiday, kids across the country got to wear their Hanbok to school. Hence, why I kept seeing it on Instagram.
The details are abundant and they each have significance, down to the single braided hairstyle which is reserved for girls and unmarried women.
Hanbok are also worn for a child's first birthday. Beautiful baby Mare (pictured below) recently celebrated her first birthday and is looking precious in each of her gowns by Hanbok designer, Silosilk. I'm in love with the colorful adornment around her waist, called a DOL DDI which is translated to "five luck."
Baby Mare's birthday celebration is called a Dol or Doljanchi and the Hanbok is aptly named Dol-bok for this occasion. She wears a Gulle below, a form of traditional headdress. Her lovely Mother is pictured wearing a Hanbok. The celebration itself is attended by the extended family and decorated in a very traditional style. How wonderful it would be to visit this country someday so steeped in culture.
Koreans don these special dresses for wedding celebrations as well. As part of a bridal party, Ellie (a fellow blogger) had wonderful images taken in her pastel pink Hanbok. The skirt (or Chima) is sewn flat in two dimensions and gathered around the waist with a string giving it movement and the appearance of being three dimensional. This unique construction can be seen along the side seam of Ellie's Chima.
I hope you enjoyed this little peak into Korean folk dress! I'm always moved when I see a culture embrace their history and bring appreciation to time honored practices for the younger generations.