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Costumes through the Ages Noblewoman’s
Bridal Jacket (hwalot), Joseon (Choson) dynasty. The year 2003 marks the centennial of Korean immigration to the United States. To celebrate this important anniversary, Pacific Asia Museum is hosting a major exhibition of Korean costumes, from the National Folk Museum of Korea. Korean Costumes through the Ages will be the first exhibition of its kind in Southern California to trace the development of Korean dress, or hanbok, from the Three Kingdoms Period (1st century BC- AD 668) to the modern period. Curated by Dr. Kim Young Jae, this exhibition will focus on Korean
clothing as it has evolved over the centuries. It will include over
50 costumes and accessories that were worn primarily by members
of the Korean aristocracy. Some of the costumes presented will be
rare original pieces from the periods they represent. For the earlier
periods, from which no examples remain, reproductions copied from
costumes depicted in paintings and sculpture of those early periods
will be presented. In addition, some examples of contemporary Korean
clothing designs will also be featured.
Reproduction
of a woman’s jacket (jogori) and skirt (chima), Korea has one of the world’s richest costume and textile
traditions, one that is distinct from neighboring countries such
as China and Japan. From excavations of early archaeological sites
on the Korean peninsula, it is evident that the Koreans wore clothing
of silk, hemp and wool over 2,000 years ago. Silk cultivation and
production developed during the Three Kingdoms period and for a
long time were controlled by the government, so that silk clothing
was primarily worn by members of the nobility. It was only during
the Joseon (Choson) period that silk clothing became widespread
among the general populace. Clothing made from hemp fiber was worn
more widely among the population, as was wool, which protected the
wearer from the bitter cold of Korean winters. For summer clothing,
ramie (similar to linen) was preferred as it dries quickly and air
passes through the loose weave to cool the body. Cotton clothing
was introduced in the Goryeo (Koryo) period (918-1392) and by the
Joseon period was being used widely and even exported to Japan.
Official’s
Robe (gwanbok), Joseon (Choson) dynasty, Over the centuries, Korean traditional dress has featured forms, styles, color schemes and decorations that are uniquely Korean. From as early as the Goryeo period, vivid colors such as strong reds, blues, yellow, and greens were combined in bold striped patterns to create a colorful rainbow effect on the skirts or sleeves of a woman’s dress. From the Unified Silla period (668-918), complex patterns have been woven into the cloth of both men’s and women’s clothing. Dresses, jackets, and accessories are further embellished with exquisite embroidery of natural motifs such as flowers and butterflies or auspicious symbols, applied traditionally by the women of the household. Examples of implements used by women to create this fine embroidery will also be included. The exhibition is being generously supported by the Government
of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles
and Wells Fargo. Additional funding for this exhibition has been
generously provided by County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovitch,
Sookie and Michael Garrison, Kim Hillis, Bobbie and Don Koh, Robert
Sheen, Jane Park Wells and Bill Wells, and Pacific Asia Museum Korean
Arts Council. Return to
Korean Costumes through the Ages main page
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