King Yeongjo’s outer robe (dopo), 2015. Silk. H 135 cm x W 240 cm. Arumjigi Culture Keepers Foundation. San Francisco, Aug. 10, 2017 ( GLOBENEWSWIRE) -- From the courts of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) to the runways of Paris, Couture Korea immerses audiences in the splendid sophistication of historical and contemporary Korean fashion. The result of a partnership between the Seoul-based Arumjigi Culture Keepers Foundation and #SanFrancisco ’s #AsianArt Museum, Couture Korea introduces U.S. audiences to the incomparable artistry and artistic legacy of Korean dress. The #AsianArtMuseum is the only venue for Couture Korea, which will be on view from Nov. 3, 2017 to Feb. 4, 2018. This original exhibition features more than 120 works, ranging from re-creations of garments from the Joseon dynasty to contemporary designs from #KarlLagerfeld of Chanel, pioneer of Korean fashion #JinTeok, and two Seoul-based Korean designers. Couture Korea delves deeper than the clothing’s formal beauty and superb craftsmanship to show that these works, as art, are not only intimate objects but also cultural expressions. Visitors will come away with a rich understanding of the social and cultural roots, as well as the global impact, of Korean fashion. Arumjigi, a group of researchers, scholars and artisans dedicated to the preservation, exhibition and promotion of #Koreancultural practices, has prepared a range of garments for inclusion in #CoutureKorea that represent traditional #Koreanfashion: re-creations of kings’ robes made from fabric so fine it is nearly transparent, 18th-century courtesans’ ensembles, and children’s first-birthday costumes. In addition, contemporary styles created by world-renowned Korean designers, including “master of deconstruction” Jin Teok (b. 1934), “tech” fabric impresario Im Seonoc (b. 1962) and understated traditionalist Jung Misun (b. 1984), will be shown alongside Korea-inspired looks from Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel. Even in today’s ultra-modern, forward-looking Korea, traditional culture continues to be relevant. Couture Korea reveals how contemporary designs emerged from specific historical contexts and social customs and how many were influenced.