EDITOR'S LETTER (Translated to English)
Let's make a birthday cheer!
When Vogue took its historic first step into Korean fashion and culture, those readers in their early twenties, excitedly turning the pages, might now be mothers with daughters around that same age. If you include the mother who started reading Vogue thanks to her 20-something daughter back then, Vogue is a name that is currently enjoyed by three generations together in 2025. Ever since I became the editor-in-chief, I've always imagined and cherished this scene while working. You know, the scene where the teenage granddaughter is chatting with her grandmother about fashion, and the mother is watching from the side, reading the latest issue of Vogue and chiming in, "So that's what's in style these days!"
And so, Vogue, celebrating its birthday with the August issue, launched a project where Gen Z girls, mothers from the Orange generation, and stylish grandmothers from the 60s and 80s come together thru fashion.
I'll put it on the Vogue birthday table. It's a given to dress up for any birthday party. The dress code for the August issue's birthday party is 'Western Dress' and 'Hanbok'. It was chosen with the desire to strengthen the unity among women and the bond between generations thru fashion friendship, and historical solidarity was also added. As you know, this year is a monumental year, marking the 80th anniversary of Gwangbokjeol (Liberation Day). One of the projects I wanted to accomplish while maintaining the traditional Vogue authenticity that has been consistently upheld since its founding was a Hanbok photoshoot for the 80th anniversary of Korean independence. So, 80 years ago, the younger generation, dressed in hanbok with their own discerning eyes, revisited the sacred site of independence and reveled in the joy of that moment.
To resonate with women on three key points, we even went back in time, roughly between 100 and 100-plus years ago. To this end, we have identified 10 locations with absolute preservation value in Samcheonri Hwaryeogangsan. Even if it's not a UNESCO World Heritage site, if you see a woman in modern clothes in a place that should be preserved for a long time on this land, your granddaughter might hear historical stories from her grandmother. Open Vogue and look at clothes, people, and history.
It's the moment we're talking about culture! Perhaps novelist Shin Kyung-sook said "I get goosebumps" for times like this. There's also a view from the opposite side. Amidst the recession in high fashion, where commercialism outweighs creativity in terms of funding and importance, we have erected the unique clothing of the next generation of Korean couturiers, who are immersed in their craft, like trophies in prime locations in the bustling city of Seoul. It is to support their potential and spirit of challenge, and to let the whole world know about it. For a fashion student granddaughter, it's full of clothes that are worth showing off to her mother and grandmother too. It would be disappointing if there weren't any congratulatory messages at the birthday party, wouldn't it?
From Covergirl Rose to Jennie, An Yujin, Han Sohee, Gong Hyo-jin, and other stars of the stars, they all shine. We are also honored to welcome three influential female designers of our time as special guests. Following Sarah Burton of Givenchy, and like a Michelin-starred chef's dinner course, Louis Trotter of Bottega Veneta and Veronica Leoni of Calvin Klein attended in turn. Also on the guest list are 11 men known in the fashion industry. Without 'fun' and 'alcohol,' the atmosphere wouldn't be lively, so we've also invited three popular bands and four female mixologists. For the final content of the birthday spread, I, as a reader, got the idea from a page in Vogue that I found interesting. It was an article about the style of Vogue fashion editors in the late 1990s (the fashion director at the time mentioned Comme des Garçons as a favorite brand). From then on, I began to explore this brand and Rei Kawakubo. And soon, in 2025, Vogue Korea editors will appear in a photoshoot as models themselves! As the birthday celebrant, I'm proud to say that I'm the coolest professional in Eurasia, as I'm celebrating myself by dressing up and revealing their ever-changing tastes.
Thus, a feast was prepared that was no less impressive than a Manchu Han Imperial Feast. We put care into every detail, from the centerpiece to the cutlery, to create a table setting that all three generations – daughter, mother, and grandmother – could enjoy according to their individual tastes, preferences, and appetites. Everyone, get ready! Thank you again for coming to the Vogue Korea birthday party.
