The Danish Minister for Higher Education and Science Sofie Carsten Nielsen and SNU students of textiles.

The “Future Fur” fashion show was held on January 20 at Seoul National University’s Museum of Art (SNU MoA). Seoul National University (SNU) students from the Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design made all the clothes exhibited in the fashion show. The clothes were made from mink and fox fur in collaboration with the Danish embassy and the Kopenhagen Fur company. The pieces exhibited on the runway were inspired by a wide array of sources such as city skyscrapers, cactuses, fish scales, Buddhist lotuses and medieval emblems. The Danish Minister for Higher Education and Science Sofie Carsten Nielsen attended the event as a special guest.

The fashion show was made possible with the aid of Kopenhagen Fur, the largest fur skin auction company in the world. In March last year, Seoul National University and Kopenhagen Fur secured a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance their bilateral cooperation. As a result of the MoU, students have received high-quality materials provided by the company, a sewing machine, as well as expertise and knowledge on how to work with furs. Kopenhagen Fur on the other hand has gained innovative designs provided by students of one of the most prestigious universities in Korea.

In addition to the benefits listed above, a weeklong exchange took place last year between the participants of both countries in the form of workshops and training. The director of the event, SNU Professor of textile merchandising and fashion design HA Ji-soo, expressed her appreciation. “We are so grateful to Kopenhagen Fur and the Danish Embassy for their support. The scope of assistance was truly beyond our imagination. As a de facto developed country, Denmark has the capacity to invest heavily and wisely in long-term partnerships.”

Minister Nielsen stated her views on the fashion event as an example of Korea’s striving towards a “creative economy”. Nielson stressed the importance of fashion in society. “In Denmark, fashion creates jobs and growth, making up the country’s fourth-largest export. It is also a creative process of trying to find the perfect fit for our body and identity.”

In addition, Kopenhagen Fur’s vice-president of marketing Ditte Hejberg Sorknaes expressed her opinion. “Our collaboration has truly been a win-win situation for both sides. We really need the innovation, creativity and courage of young talented designers.” According to Sorknaes, internationally renowned European fashion firms hire many students who participate in the programs with Kopenhagen Fur after graduation. These firms include the likes of Diesel, Dior and Louis Vuitton. Sorknaes explains, “After spending several years in the professional field, they go back to Asia with their hands-on expertise and know-how, bridging both markets.”

Three selected students from Seoul National University who participated in the “Future Fur” fashion show traveled to Denmark where they were given the opportunity to participate in the Copenhagen Fashion Week. Held from January 28 to February 1, Copenhagen Fashion Week is the largest fashion event in Northern Europe.

Currently Kopenhagen Fur has partnerships with 12 universities around the world, including Tsinghua University in China. It is aiming to secure partnerships with three more universities by the end of the year.

Article referenced:
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150125000208

Written by OH Jung Eun, SNU English Editor, josefinaoh@snu.ac.kr
Reviewed by Eli Park Sorensen, SNU Professor of Liberal Studies, eps7257@snu.ac.kr