On Friday, November 3, 2023, the "Hongik Interdisciplinary Fashion Show" was held in the gymnasium of our school, the result of the Interdisciplinary Curriculum/Comparative Policy Research TF. The fashion show was a collaboration between the Department of Textile Art and Fashion Design, the Department of Design Convergence, the Department of Performing Arts, and the Department of Advertising and Public Relations to showcase more creative content. The convergence project utilized interactive media and generative AI to combine cutting-edge media footage with performing arts such as background music composition and vocals, and the show was a great success with about 16,000 visitors. To learn more about the project, we interviewed Dr. Hye-wook Jung, Dean of the College of Fine Arts, and Dr. Chul-yong Choi, Professor of Textile Art and Fashion Design.

Why did the convergence fashion show come about as a result of the convergence project?

One of the reasons why the 'Convergence Fashion Show' was chosen as the outcome of the convergence project is that it was judged to be the most effective form of converging the strengths of the four participating departments. The interactive media, video, live performances, and promotion of the results of the convergence, which reacted differently to the gait and speed of the cat-walking models and the shape of their clothes, were the most beautiful forms of convergence.

Differentiation from traditional fashion shows

The most differentiated contents were the opening video and interactive media design projected on the large screen in front of the stage and the hanging banners on the left and right sides of the stage, and the live performance consisting of a band and a vocalist who created background music for the video and interactive media design.

While video has always been a mainstay of fashion shows, this year's show introduced new technologies such as projection mapping and generative AI to create an unprecedented form. The opening video was created by interviewing undergraduate students from the Department of Textile, Art, and Fashion Design about their thoughts on the topic of peace, and served as a driving force to encourage the audience to briefly consider the larger discourse on the topic before the show began.

The interactive media design expressed the abstract message of peace with various images, and the speed, brightness, and color of the lights interacted and changed according to the rhythm of the live band and vocalists. In other words, it was an abstract visualization of various discourses on peace. 

In the first part of the convergence fashion show, media designs based on generative AI were created to convey the message of peace and harmony between humans and machines, beyond peace between different races. The background music for these media designs was selected, arranged, and edited by the Department of Performing Arts.

Finally, the live performance was a first for a fashion show held at a Korean university. The songs were carefully planned to convey the message of peace, which was the theme of the show, and the effect of fusion was maximized through vocals in addition to the live band performance. 

The show demonstrated the power of visual art through video, human interaction through clothing, and the harmony of synesthesia through human movement and music, providing a diverse and rich experience to the audience while instilling a message of peace.

Background of the theme "Peace" for the 2023 Hongik Convergence Fashion Show

The theme of Hongik Fashion Week 2023 is "PEACE IS BLUE". The theme reflects the message of art, the power of non-violence, and the value of sublime art. The Department of Textile, Art and Fashion Design is currently home to students from 17 different countries, and the idea is to think about the meaning of war and peace, and to convey the message through fashion. In the fashion show, students tried to express these themes by using their own words and phrases of peace, the color aqua blue, and selected peace-related songs. It is expected that each student's creativity and concern were embodied in an artistic form and delivered a meaningful experience to the audience.

The need and importance of convergence in this era

Just as combinations of letters in the alphabet lead to meaningful words, in fashion, combinations and collaborations between different creators, brands, and disciplines form new fashion languages and movements. Fashion has evolved beyond clothing to become a platform that encompasses art and culture, and it is this diversity and creativity that enriches the fashion industry. The convergence and collaboration of fashion is one of the important features of contemporary art and culture, and it is constantly presenting new ideas through creativity and imagination.

Hongik University's creative convergence project helps students grow

The convergence fashion show is the result of an innovative convergence achieved through synergy between four faculties (departments) with different characteristics. We proposed a creative and new form of convergence unique to Hongik University and found a way to effectively combine the characteristics of each faculty. 

For the students, I think the biggest growth was that they learned how to coordinate opinions with multiple stakeholders, unlike the works they had been working on as assignments, and that they gained practical experience in designing opening videos and interactive media on a large stage. It didn't end with the production of the work, but afterwards, they learned and gained experience in the technical aspects of the show, such as the positioning of the screen and projector, color calibration, and other things that can only be experienced on the job. 

Vision and plans for future fashion and art events

The ideal vision is that the 'Convergence Fashion Show', which was planned and produced in 2023 as an outcome of convergence between specialization departments, will become a representative event of Hongik University as it is a result of innovative convergence and a differentiated work that enhances the identity of Hongik University. Based on the experience of 2023, detailed plans are being made for sustainable development. 

In addition, the Indonesian low-income support program launched at HFW 2023 MARKET aims to build sustainable branding through students' design skills and collaboration with batik artisans in Indonesia, and is expected to have a creative and positive impact through social responsibility. The expansion of support due to increased sales revenue will demonstrate the success of the initiative and serve as a good example of positive community impact.

The Department of Textile Arts and Fashion Design anticipates a boom in fashion entrepreneurship as a result of these programs, and aims to introduce a one-person pop-up module in 2024 to enable students to sell their own creations at any time. In addition, enhanced internationalization and global networking is expected to provide students with opportunities to become more competitive in the international market. This vision will effectively promote the creativity of the department and its students and help build a sustainable fashion business model.

Online Communication, Heejin Kim