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Dongguk University changes the design of its graduation gowns af...

Date 2022.01.12. Writer admin Hits 3057

 

Dongguk University changes the design of its graduation gowns after 115 years


Dongguk University changes the design of its graduation gowns after 115 years


Designer Sang-bong Lee has designed the graduation gowns of Dongguk University in line with “Korean traditional beauty,” which will be worn during the 2022 spring commencement ceremony for the first time.
The newly designed Dongguk University graduation gowns will be worn by its bachelor’s degree awardees.
President Sung-yee Yoon of Dongguk University showcases the newly designed academic regalia, which has changed 115 years after the opening of the university in 1906.
The existing graduation gowns are in the form of religious robes that were commonly used by universities across the country and have been criticized for not reflecting Dongguk University’s unique founding philosophy. As a response, Jung-seok Sung, the Chairman of Dongguk University’s academic regalia renewal committee, has worked on a renewal project by considering the opinions of several committee members suggesting that Dongguk University needs its own cap and gown.
Sung-hwan Cho, head of Dongguk University’s Communication and Public Relations team, explained, “To revive our university’s identity and historical tradition based on Buddhist spirits, the logo and color are reflected in the unique design of Dongguk University. In particular, we focused on designs that would make the gowns look the most stylistic and beautiful when the students wear them.”
Accordingly, the gowns were designed by Sang-bong Lee, a Korean fashion master designer. He analyzed and reinterpreted the features of traditional dresses, such as Hanbok and Buddhist Jangsam robes, and used collars, hemlines, sleeves, and folds as design elements to capture Korea’s traditional beauty in the graduation gowns.
Designer Lee added slits and folds to the graduation gowns to depict lotus flowers, symbolizing Buddhism, and highlighted the number eight by adding eight folds and using an octagonal graduation cap. In addition, to preserve the aesthetics of the Korean apparel, the width of the sleeves was widened, and the collars were designed to face each other to accentuate the neckline. He added, “the fabric used by other universities is cut in a straight line, while for Dongguk University’s graduation gowns, the line is cut diagonally to makes their A-line look more stylistic. Additionally, the collars are detachable, which make it easier to wash them. To add practicality, pockets were added to make it easier to put ones’ hands into them, increasing their utility for active uses as opposed to the existing graduation gowns.”
All graduation gowns to be worn by the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degree awardees have Dongguk Orange as the main color, the signature color of the university. The backside was folded into several layers. The identity of the university was further strengthened by adding sleeve openings in the form of a letter D and a logo engraved on the chest to represent the unique features of Dongguk University. With the release of the new academic regalia, students are also showing enthusiasm on Internet communities.
Dongguk University plans to use the newly designed graduation gowns from the spring commencement ceremony of 2022.