IFOG’s Korean fashion show features wearable glass

One of the evening highlights for visitors to this year’s International Festival of Glass will be a Korean themed fashion show, entitled ‘Hot Hanbok/Cool Glass’, on 27 August 2022.

A total of 35 glass artists from seven countries have created wearable glass creations, inspired by traditional and contemporary Korean Hanbok (clothing). These pieces will be paired with the Korean fashion in 30 ‘looks’ to be shown off on the catwalk. A highlight will be detailed, traditional King and Queen costumes, accessorised with giant lampworked glass crowns by South Korean glass artist Eunsuh Choi.

The models will walk to the beat of a specially commissioned Korean DJ soundtrack by composer and sound producer, Jun Seok Kim. The show will feature traditional Hanbok, curated by the Korean Cultural Centre UK, alongside new, contemporary designers, including the brands ‘London Hanbok’ and Seoul-based ‘Danha’, famous for dressing K-Pop group Blackpink.

Danha have sustainability at the heart of what they do and a number of the invited artists are similarly aligned to this sustainable way of production, recycling and repurposing to make their creations. Award-winning Costa Rican artist Juli Bolaňos-Durman, now living in Edinburgh, has worked with recycled components, including found glass from the community, for her elaborate, wearable sculpture. Meanwhile, Helen Pailing has created a headpiece and shoulder piece using salvaged Boroscilicate glass (pulled point remnants) and salvaged window blinds.

The evening will also feature classical and Korean music from The Kasper Trio and a contemporary dance performance, Un-Tact, choreographed by Yenn Dance.

There are just 200 tickets available for this unique fashion and music show, which takes place on Saturday 27 August at 7pm at the Glasshouse Arts Centre (located at the Ruskin Glass Centre, The Glasshouse, Wollaston Road, Amblecote, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 4HF). For more information and to book visit: www.ifg.org.uk/events

The International Festival of Glass 2022 opens on Friday 26 August, welcoming visitors to sites across the historic Stourbridge Glass Quarter and in Wolverhampton. These include the Ruskin Glass Centre, the Red House Glass Cone, and the Stourbridge Glass Museum.

The full, four-day Festival schedule (26-29 August 2022) can be viewed on the website www.ifg.org.uk/schedule and promises a host of demonstrations, lectures, performances, exhibitions and workshops. The exhibitions are open longer, from 26 August-1 October 2022.

Images (left to right): Rose Thistle Sleeve by Ayako Tani (photo: Simon Bruntnell); Contemporary Hanbok by Danha; detail of Dragon Shield by Opal Seabrook.