A university run by the Korea Heritage Service is showcasing cosmetics used during the Joseon era (1392-1910) at the Korean Cultural Center in Rome, Italy, through May 20.
The latest exhibition by the Korea National University of Heritage focuses on the Princess Hwahyeop Ceramic Edition, a cosmetics lineup launched by the university inspired by artifacts found in the tomb of Hwahyeop, a daughter of King Yeongjo and the older sister of Crown Prince Sado.
The university teamed up with a local cosmetics firm to develop the makeup collection in 2020, and has since been promoting it in Korea and elsewhere.
The Rome exhibition explores Joseon beauty products and how they compare to today’s skincare routines for women, according to a university official.
The touring exhibition, which previously made a stop in the United Arab Emirates in January, is being held alongside a show featuring hanbok, the traditional Korean attire, led by Wooh Na-young, a local illustrator known for hanbok illustrations.
The show “Western Fairy Tales in Hanbok” attempts to reimagine tales like “Alice in Wonderland” with Korean elements, featuring Alice in a wrap skirt worn high on the chest that blooms into a voluminous silhouette.
The graphic designer-turned-illustrator Wooh has been promoting Korean culture as global ambassador for the Korea Heritage Service since June last year.
siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com
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