How Rhee uses Hanbok design to promote Korea Tanzania culture

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Republic of Korea celebrates Independence Day on August 15th and this year Dar es Salaam joined other cities in celebrating with a unique fashion show.

Thanks to Hae Myung Rhee, a Rheetz Hanbok Korean who has been living in Tanzania for 34 years, the day was marked with a fashion show catwalk.

Korea’s ‘Gwangbokjeol’, also known as the National Liberation Day of Korea, is celebrated annu ally on August 15th.

In an interview with the ‘Sunday News’ this week, Rhee described feeling honoured to commemorate the liberation of Korea from Japanese colonial rule, which lasted from 1910 to 1945, through the display of Korean culture.

She noted that on August 15th, 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces in World War II, leading to Korea regain ing its independence.

“The name “Gwangbokjeol” literally means “Restoration of Light Day,” sym bolising the end of a dark period of oppression and the return of freedom and independence to Korea.

It is a significant national holiday in both the Republic of Korea and North Korea, com memorated with various ceremonies, parades and cultural events. In Soul, the President delivers a speech and the nation al flag, ‘Taegeukgi’, is widely displayed,” she stated.

However, Dar was not left behind, the day was coloured with a fashion show designed by Rhee whereby the student of Global Mission Secondary School youth models showcased their fashion show catwalk talent to display the hanboks design.

Rhee thanked those show up at the event for sharing special moment on the meaningful day of 2024 Liberation Day.

“I started making hanboks to provide jobs to economically challenged women locally and to promote our Korean culture too,” she noted.

The elegant beauty of the hanbok is captured in Tanzania’s lively and colourful fabric and Korea and Tanzania, which Rhee said she loves to create a comfort able and stylish Reetz hanbok.

“Rheetz Hanbok, in May this year was selected as one of the 100 people who delivered the Korean Wave around the world by the Korean government and is now engaged in public diplo macy as a special member of the Global Strategy Committee.

“Only three people from Africa including Botswana, Tanzania and Malawi won the honour,” she said.

She stressed that Rheetz Hanbok combines the beautiful traditions and cultures of the two countries to respect and draw harmony with each other. It is very happy to present it to the Global Mission School Fashion Show.

“The models of the Rheetz Hanbok express with pride that the clothes wear are the most special and beautiful. With every step of you, it will be delivered as a precious message to everyone,” she explained.

Rhee extended thanks to missionary Kim Young-sun, who said respect and love, the school teachers and the school authority for making the dream come true.

Also complimented her friend Joelle who was able to stand with her as the design word for Rheetz Hanbok. She says always smiles and contin ues to give courage and support even when it is difficult “I dedicate Rheetz Hanbok fashion show for single teenage mothers hosted by the Swiss resi dence and I started my first step as a design word for the first time in my life,” she said.

Part of her desire most based on preaching peace and unity and promoting Korean and Tanzania culture through arts.

Rhee has also participated in Swahili Fashion Week and Sabah Sabah Korea Business Day Fashion Show to be established in the sector among the top.

She noted that the Hanbok has 5,000 years of history and tradition. It is a costume that contains the soul of Korea.

“I am delighted to share not only the beauty of the traditional hanbok but also to showcase hanbok made with African fabric by Tanzanian artisans.

“These hanboks combine the beauty of tradition with a new picture for the future of collabo ration between our countries.” Rhee design of the hanbok is combined with batik fabric to portray its uniqueness.

“I am very happy to show the modernised hanbok of a new design produced with local women here in Tanzania,” elab orated.

She complimented the Swiss ambassador and wife who opened up a place for everyone including Runaway of Young Mothers making it a beautiful night for such a cool and unique fashion show.

According to Rhee the Ritz started 30 years ago in Tanzania when they helped women in financial difficulty and made Korean clothes into the fabric.

“I wasn’t sure that this dream would come true, but I didn’t give up on the goal I set. I wanted to create a new cul ture by putting Korea’s elegant beauty in Tanzania’s colourful fabric to make clothes that felt our emotions,” she explained.

Rhee added that it was pos sible thanks to the support and encouragement of those who were with her at the event and in their hearts.

Grateful she extended to Sang-eun and her family for hosting the brand logo and stay ing behind the scenes until the end and CEO Lee Wook-soo, who sponsored the models’ hair design.

Rhee’s design interest part is her decision to donate sewing machines to single mothers at different regions. She said that have already distributed over 60 sewing machines so far in Dar e Salaam and Rukwa region.

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“I made a promise to myself that for every machine that meets the target of producing and selling ten hanbok, I will donate it to single mothers for them to realise their dream, thanks to God we have already sold over 600 pieces which also means 60 machines were donated,” she said.

The move has been applaud ed by Vivian Sirikwa a Founder/ CEO of Rukwa-based Forward Motion (FOMO) a non-profit socio-health organisation that focuses on improving the lives of women, girls, children, and other marginalised groups. Sirikwa expressed how thor oughly impressed was with the Rhee fashion show.

“The creativity and inno vation in designs left a lasting impression on me. The ability to blend Korean culture with African prints was not only visu ally stunning but also deeply meaningful.

It’s truly remark able how you’ve found a way to share the rich cultural heritage of both Korea and Africa through your creations,” noted Sirikwa.

Sirikwa added Rheetz Hanbok’s creative talent, deeply touched after learning about involvement in helping single mothers.

“As someone who is also passionate about empowering women, particularly teen moth ers, I understand the importance of support in their journey to financial independence and self-sufficiency.

It’s inspir ing to see how you are making a positive impact in their lives by donating sewing machines to help them gain valuable skills and a source of income.