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| Models walks down the runway during "Salam Seoul Festival" at Cheonggye Plaza in downtown Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
By Ko Dong-hwan
A new modest fashion style that mixes the "hijab" or headcovering worn by some Muslim women and "hanbok," traditional Korean attire, hit an outdoor runway in downtown Seoul on Wednesday evening. Designed by four Korean designers, the clothes are less skin-revealing while at the same time, remaining chic. The lineup's centerpiece, Salam Seoul Festival, was a cultural appeal toward Muslims across the world by Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Sixty models, including the event's two Muslim ambassadors from Morocco and Uzbekistan, exhibited works consisting of hijabs, "jeogori" (upper garments), "chima" (lower garments) and hats. Due to the multi-layered outfits' plush volume and strip-fasteners ("goreum"), the models required more than a few minutes to change into them, therefore they didn't have time to wear other outfits during the show, according to the Seoul Tourism Association, a Seoul Metropolitan Government subsidiary.
The show recruited fashion designers, including Hwang Leesle, a high-profile modern hanbok maker whose works have been worn by K-pop megastars like BTS and BLACKPINK. They each came up with their own ideas for the event.
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| Representatives from embassies and governmental agencies of Muslim countries in Seoul and the Seoul Tourism Association under the Seoul Metropolitan Government greet visitors to Salam Seoul Festival, Wednesday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
Aside from the show that kicked off at 7 p.m., a side booth with a wardrobe of various hanbok clothes and hijabs was available for curious visitors to try on and find their own modest look.
"Muslims in Middle Eastern countries and other parts of the world represent another huge global market," said the official from the association who orchestrated the show.
Salam Seoul Festival also showcased a VR performance that creatively portrayed the city government's fresh initiative to draw public attention to Middle Eastern culture.
"We even sought Seoul Central Masjid ― the country's first Islamic mosque ― in Itaewon to promote the festival during Ramadan, which ended recently," the association official said.
The evening show at Cheonggye Plaza was preceded by a flea market held hours earlier. Participants included over a dozen of the city's halal-licensed shops, attracting passers-by with food, accessories and various drinks. "Ddeokbokki," a small rice cakes served in a hot and spicy red sauce that's a popular Korean street food, fried beef and dairy sweet treats were part of the halal dishes that the city government recommended to Muslims due to Islam's dietary restrictions.
Dignitaries from embassies of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Pakistan as well as the Singapore Tourism Board joined the event.
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