I started as a student at FIT in 1962, and was the first Korean national to graduate from the Fashion Design
Program. During my time at FIT, I received a great deal of inspiration from the FIT Fashion Research Lab.
This experience is what influenced me and my vision to establish a museum when I returned to Korea. Although
the FIT Fashion Lab at that time was much humbler compared to the current Museum at FIT, it inspired and
guided my life’s work.
My mother, Choi Kyung Ja, a pioneer of Korean fashion, studied in Japan, then returned to Korea
and established Hamheung Dressmaking Academy at Hamheung, Hamkyungnam-do in 1938; the matrix of Kookje
Fashion School. The school has continued with me as the second director and now with my daughter as the
third director of the institute. We have produced internationally renowned designers such as Andre Kim and
Lie Sang Bong. Through these relationships and donations made by many designers and celebrities and with
additional acquired pieces, I opened the first and only, Korea Museum of Modern Costume in Seoul 25 years
ago. I put my life, heart and soul into the collection and curation of the museum.
I am with great pride and pleasure that FIT, my Alma mater, opened a campus in Songdo. The
university gathers students from all over the globe allowing them to learn, grow and dream together. It
reminds me of the enthusiasm I had as a student at FIT in New York half a century ago. I am grateful for
everything I have achieved based on the learning, experience and the vision that I gained from my time at
FIT.
The SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume opening on the Songdo Campus will operate mainly to
support the academic courses taught. My wish is for it to grow into a learning center where younger
generations of fashion students may share in the same experience I had at FIT. I dream SUNY Korea Museum of
Modern Costume will develop as the major contributor to fashion education in Korea, in the near future. I
certainly believe this wish will come true.
SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume, Chief Director Heisoon Shin
ON VIEW
Title of the Exhibition: GORYEO: Fragrance of Lotus, Sleeves of Clouds
Duration of the Exhibition: April 16th, 2025 - May 16th, 2025
Greeting from Professor Jeong Choi
It is a great honor to present the Goryeo Costume Illustration & Reconstructed Costume Exhibition at the SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume, and I extend my deepest gratitude for this opportunity. With few surviving artifacts from the Goryeo period, I have continually sought ways to present historical costume research in engaging ways. This exhibition showcases illustrated reconstructions and garments based on historical studies.
Bringing together three of my past exhibitions, this invitational revisit The Kingdom of Blue Clouds (2022), which depicted Goryeo attire by social status, Goryeo on the Rise: A Lotus Flower Meeting in the Moonlight (2023), which recreated festival attire through illustrations and reconstructed costumes, and Goryeo on the Rise II: The Banquet was a War (2024), which visualized the fashion battle between royal consorts during King Chungseon's reign.
This exhibition offers a fresh perspective beyond conventional depictions of Goryeo attire. l hope students and visitors from diverse fields will find it both enjoyable and insightful. lnterest in traditional Korean costume is growing, and I hope this exhibition fosters connections among enthusiasts and scholars.
I sincerely thank the director, professors, and all those at the SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume who have supported this exhibition.
