The Hanbok Wave: The Designer Behind Kim Tae-ri's Marie Claire Photoshoot

Hello. I am Hwang Yi-seul, the designer of Lisle, who participated in the Marie Claire January issue pictorial <2024 Hanbok Wave> project with actress Kim Tae-ri. The project was successfully released, and we received a lot of praise and thankful messages. I'm writing this blog post to express my gratitude, especially to actress Kim Tae-ri. From the moment I first saw the announcement for this project, I was very nervous and excited. I was so thrilled to be able to collaborate with actress Kim Tae-ri, whom I admire so much. I sincerely wanted to participate in this project and be selected. So I prepared the business plan, PPT, and design drafts, staying up late at night. "How can I highlight actress Kim Tae-ri's charm?" I wanted to create the most suitable hanbok for her, so I binge-watched her representative works, including "The Handmaiden," "Alienoid," "Mr. Sunshine," "Twenty-Five Twenty-One," and "The Devil,"... while preparing the design drafts. It was a happy struggle. My eagerness must have paid off, as I was selected for the project and given the opportunity to meet actress Kim Tae-ri in person. I was so nervous! I can't express the energy and emotion I received during that meeting. Despite her busy schedule and potential fatigue, her eyes sparkled, and she was incredibly proactive! She had a remarkable understanding of hanbok, perhaps due to her past experiences with it, and her love for hanbok was evident. She meticulously examined the samples, designs, colors, and materials that I had prepared. The initial draft had a lovely pink hue, but through our collaboration and revisions, a hanbok with a captivating atmosphere was created. She asked many questions and provided detailed design feedback, allowing me to create a high-quality hanbok. Time passed, and the drama <Revenant> was released. I read an article about her studying sound for three years to take on her role. 'Ah! That's why!' I understood why I felt such strong energy and emotion at the meeting. It was because of actress Kim Tae-ri's sincerity in giving her all to everything she undertakes. The hanbok industry faces difficulties and requires significant attention. Nevertheless, the government and hanbok artisans are working towards its popularization. I am grateful to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft and Design Foundation for this opportunity. I also thank the agency representative who wonderfully prepared and collaborated on the project, and the magazine as well. And I also thank actress Kim Tae-ri for her sincere participation in the popularization and globalization of hanbok. Thank you to everyone who loved the pictorial and expressed their affection for hanbok. Have a warm end of the year. -From Designer Hwang Yi-seul