Sandra Oh wore this couture version of a Korean hanbok to the SAG Awards.
Apparently, it is hotly contested on all the celeb-gossip sites. You can vote here.
I read some really interesting comments like: "That dress is HORRIBLE!" and "HAHA that dress is AWFUL!!! What's funny is that her character on the show would NEVER be caught in a dress like that...and she should feel the same way." and "I think we should be respectful because I think this is based on a traditional Korean dress." and "I think this dress is great! You can see the emergence of traditional Korean style with western style. Moreover, it was different from all the other same old dresses on the red carpet tonight. Fashion is about moving forward with new visions. Great for Sandra Oh for not only representing her culture but also for opening the viewers' eyes to a new culture and vision."
I think the discussion itself speaks volumes about how people try to understand Asian Americans and their heritage. I like the dress. What do you guys think?
Posted by neela at January 29, 2008 9:15 AM
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I like the dress, too! I wonder to what extent the lack of knowledge about traditional Korean attire influenced people's opinions of the dress, especially those who had negative comments. This makes me think of the "trendiness" of the Chinese cheung sam/qi pao and the kimono-style tops and dresses seen in "Western" fashion. Maybe the hanbok is the next big Asian-influenced fashion trend! http://www.andongkim.com/articles/2005/03/hanbokkoreancool.htm
Is it a good or bad thing that traditional Asian attire is considered fashionable or trendy in the West?
I like that she modernized the hanbok without slutting it up. I think if people knew the cultural significance behind the dress, they'd be less judgmental which i'm not sure is a good or bad thing. anyway, i dig the dress. it's a lot cuter than the one i had to wear as a kid.
Well, a dress can be a respectful reinterpretation of a traditional classic, and still be a bad dress.
I saw the dress on SAG too. The E! host said that Oh was a fashion diva. She defenitely always wears her own style. I feel that she always gets negative comments about it tho.. worst dressed, etc. I think that people don't give her enough credit. I like that she brought the two modern Western and traditional Korean styles together, but the dress itself... Not my choice of color and design
I think the dress is wearing her, rather than vice-versa. Looks like a little girl playing dress-ups with her parents clothing.
Good fashion shouldn't really need an explanation for you to "get it."
That said, I don't think it was a particularly fashionable dress... but I still love it!
personally, i don't think its the best example for a hanbok fushion dress. it isn't hideous, but its by no means awesome either. i don't believe there's enough hanbok in the fushion except for the puff. hahaha.
Wow!! Gorgeous dress!!