YE JIN SHIN
How did you initially get into patchwork and Jogakbo?
After majoring in Fashion Design at university in Korea, I worked as a visual merchandiser for more than decade. I wanted to find something new to be inspired by, besides the latest fashion trends. One day, I came upon a Hanok Village with traditional Korean houses and it was there that I learned Jogakbo. The beautiful colours of the traditional silk fabric blended so well with the Hanok, and I felt the greatest sense of accomplishment after carefully arranging the fabric and creating a new piece by hand. Tradition has often been thought to be boring but I fell in love with it when I saw the colours come together. I loved that it allowed me to express a vintage feel with modern, contemporary work.
It takes a long time to connect small pieces by hand, stitch by stitch, but I find it so satisfying being able to make things with my own two hands. Jogakbo has long been made from the scraps left over after making Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing). Jogakbo gave me a sense of purpose, and I felt it was my mission to share our ancestors’ lives and our traditions with as many people as I could.
What is it about the process of Jogakbo that you enjoy?
Choosing colours is the
