Editor’s Note: Including good, bad and bad, ‘Look of the week’ is a regular series dedicated to unpacking the most talked about outfits of the past seven days.
CNN
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Wrapping up the second day of Coachella this year, K-Pop girl group Blackpink made history on Saturday night when they became the first Asian act to lead the festival. According to reports, in front of a crowd of more than 125,000, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé took advantage of the breakout moment to pay homage to Korean heritage by taking the stage in hanbok: a kind of traditional costume.
While the costumes were removed for a few seconds during the opening track, “Pink Venom,” which revealed each member’s custom black and pink Dolce and Gabbana outfits, fans around the world received the message. . Screenshots This moment quickly went viral in the community of passionate Blackpink fans, aka Blinks. “The way they stepped onto the biggest stage in the West in hanbok… literally proved their top spot,” one Blink tweeted. “Blackpink are really in a class of their own.”
Another called the group “Korean cultural delegation” on Instagram, alluding to not only the hanbok but also other visual cues included in their show, such as one of the stage backdrops featuring The angled tiled roof is reminiscent of traditional Korean architecture.
In recent years, Blackpink has gained rapid popularity globally. Based on Guinness World Records, they are currently the most streamed girl group on Spotify and have the most viewed music YouTube channel. Last year, they were the first female K-Pop group to hit #1 in the UK and US album charts, and in 2020, their track “How You Like That” has become a video. most viewed on YouTube in 24 hours. (The group also wore modern hanboks designed by Kim Danha in one of the music video footage.) Their milestone set over the weekend was in fact a continuation of a major milestone. other: In 2019, they became the first female K-Pop group to ever play at Coachella or any other US festival.
From Jean Paul Gaultier’s iconic cone bra worn by Madonna on her 1990 Blond Ambition tour to Geri “Ginger Spice” Halliwell’s Union Jack mini dress, the right stage attire can exist. forever in the public memory. Especially when worn at the defining moment of the profession. In another watershed Coachella gig — Beyonce’s 2018 title set — the singer’s custom Balmain college-style yellow hoodie was a cheery nod to Black culture, especially especially historically Black colleagues and universities.
The group’s four black hanboks were custom-designed by Korean pattern design brand OUWR and Korean traditional dressmaker Kumdanje. Inspired by Cheol-lik’s silhouette, each garment is hand-embroidered with traditional Korean metal motifs, including dan-cheong and peony patterns (the royal symbol in Korea). Korea). “We are very happy and honored to be able to together express the beautiful values of Korea and Hanbok,” the designers Written in a composite post on Instagram. “Blackpink showed the beauty of Korea and overwhelmed the world.”
In Korea, hanboks are still worn on special occasions and are often seen on TV series. Many local designers have also created contemporary products that are incorporated into everyday wear. At Seoul Fashion Week, JULYCOLUMN’s Fall/Winter 2023 collection drew on the massive silhouette of the hanbok to create structured shirts and jackets. Last September, Korean label BlueTamburin brought the outfit to a Western audience using an exclusive use of traditional hanbok to create its Spring-Summer 2023 collection at Milan Fashion Week.
Whether you are a dedicated Blink or not, the look marks a moment of Asian vision, recognition of traditional craftsmanship and a powerful example of the feeling seen through. fashion — represents Korean culture and symbolizes both its past and future.
At the end of their performance, and having talked to the audience among numbers in English throughout their two-hour performance, Blackpink concluded their performance in Korean: “Until now, it’s Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé Blackpink. Thank.”
Top image: Blackpink performing on the first weekend of Coachella 2023, right after taking off their hanbok.
