TACTUS SENSE OF TOUCH: The life and fashion philosophy of HANEZA

Explore the retrospective exhibition celebrating 40 years of Korea's most poetic designer

Dress "Time, Burnt-out" (1996) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

HANEJA                               Tactus
Sense
of Touch

Korean fashion designer Haneza was chosen, by Seoul Design Foundation in 2017, to be the second icon taking part of the prestigious ’Honorary Designer Archive Exhibition’. Han Hye Ja’s retrospective exhibition “Tactus: Sense of Touch” depicts his anguished feelings over passion and philosophy. Focusing on intuitive pieces through dramatic storylines, inspired by natural objects such as rocks, moss, trees and wind. More than 80 pieces of art including three art installations are displayed, and the artistically formative "Art-to-wear" works and various objects which  has been designer's sources of inspiration. The famous art director Suh, Young Hee participated in planning and styling of exhibition.

portrait of HANEZA by Seoul Design FoundationSeoul Design Foundation

Profile

Haneza has launched her brand ITALIANA in 1972 and has an active fashion designer for more than 40 years. She is now in her 70s. As a master artisan and an iconic fashion designer with unique stories found in her designs, her masterpieces have emphasized more on boldness and comfort rather than simply being feminine for women's wear.

Exhibition poster, "Haneza Creations" (2008) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

EXHIBITION

1.Pierrot Lunaire / 2. Time, Burnt-out  / 3.Nightscape / 4.Cantabile / 5. LInk / 6.The Crinckled / 7.Air-Dressed / 8.The Lost Wedding Day / 9.Heavy Gaze / 10.Secrecy of MInerals Ⅰ / 11.From Africa / 12.Kindred Spirits / 13.The Wet Earth / 14.Secrecy of MInerals Ⅲ / 15.Come Together

SFAA 2009 Pierrot LunaireSeoul Design Foundation

Photogragh "Pierrot Lunaire" (2008) by Lee JongkeunSeoul Design Foundation

Section 1 Pierrot Lunaire

2009 S/S

Dress "Pierrot Lunaire" (2008) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Designer Haneza decpicts a dreamy and aesthetic scene from the lyrics and melodies of "Pierrot Lunaire" written by Arnold Schönberg.

Dress detail, "Time, Burnt-out" (1996) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 2 Time, Burnt-out

1996 Gwangju Biennale 

Dress "Time, Burnt-out" (1996) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Haneza has always been interested in new materials. The slightly-burnt acrylic dress symbolizes our remorse for not being able to grasp time.

The slightly-burnt acrylic dress symbolizes our remorse for not being able to grasp time.

Dress detail, "Nightscape" (2012) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 3 Nightscape

2012 Vogue Exhibition

Dress "Nightscape" (2012) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

This is a pictorial representation of a lovely night city. Haneza collaborated with Swarovski crystals to present nightscape by dots with dazzling lights.

Exhibition poster, "Haneza Creations" (2008) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 4 Cantabile

1995 Fashion Group International Art-to-Wear show

Dress "Cantabile" (1995) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Created with fishing lines and wine glasses on acrylic transparent fabric, this is one-of-a-kind glass dress emitting bright light and making charming sounds with every step.

Dress detail, "Link" (1988) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 5 Link

1999 F/W

Dress"LInk" (1988) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

A refreshing hybrid of various materials and creative techniques, this work brilliantly expresses the weight of time.

Dress detail "The Crinckled" (1993) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 6 The Crinkled

1994 S/S

Dress "The Crinckled" (1993) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

This is a beguiling reinterpretation of pleats with patchwork crinckle.

Dress"Air-Dressed" (2002) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 7 Air-Dressed

2003 S/S New York Collection

Fit to be called "air-dressed," this draped dress will add more freedom to life.

Dress detail, "The Lost Wedding Day" (2011) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 8 The Lost             Wedding Day

2011 Plateau Museum

Dress "The Lost Wedding Day" (2011) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

This work had been in collaboration with artist Lee Yong-baek: 'Angel Soldier'.

Dress detail, "Heavy Gaze" (2012) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 9 Heavy Gaze

2012 F/W

Dress "Heavy Gaze" (2012) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

The padded fabrics with impressive prints are recreated into unique three-dimensional silhouettes.

Concept image, "Secrecy of MInerals Ⅰ" (2004) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 10 Secrecy of Minerals Ⅰ

2004 F/W

Skirt "Secrecy of MInerals Ⅰ" (2004) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Brilliantly turning a glittering woman's top into a skirt, she completes another phase of deconstruction and reconstruction.

Concept image, "From Africa" (1987) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 11 From Africa

1987 National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

"From Africa" (1987) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

This work delivers a fascinating image of primeval, but bountiful humans. (Presented at the 1987 Contemporary Art and Fashion Exhibition)

Dress detail, "Kindred Spirits" (1988) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 12 Kindred Spirits

1988 National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

Artwork "Kindred Spirits" (1988) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

The designer seeks to have a good grasp and understanding of human nature by using 'natural' Manila hemp.

Concept image, "The Wet Earth" (1994) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 13 The Wet Earth

1994 S/S

Dress"The Wet Earth" (1994) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Han has created her unique texture to express the discoloration and sedimentation caused by the passage of time on her art pieces, the earth. She stitched colored string on velvet fabric to express the moss on a rock.

"There are various things on the surface of the earth. You can find rocks, water streaming and stones shining in reflection of sunshine. All these installations and designs are from my personal experience and I am happy that they are shown well in my work,"
Han

Dress detail, "Secrecy of MInerals Ⅲ" (2002) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 14 Secrecy of Minerals Ⅲ

2002 F/W

Dress "Secrecy of MInerals Ⅲ" (2002) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Using leaf-shaped water-thin films, the designer creates a buoyant blend of stratum, rock, earth, moss and reflection of light.

Art work "Come Together" (2010) by HanezaSeoul Design Foundation

Section 15 Come Together

2010 Icheon World Ceramic Exhibition

She wittily expresses a warm gaze at humans by using such unconventional materials as wire sponges.

Credits: Story

HANEZA CREATIONS

Photo by: Lee Jongkeun

Directing by: Seo Young Hee

Seoul Design Foundation. All rights reserved.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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