Jung Nang

Jeongnang is a traditional gate system found at the entrances of private homes on Jeju Island, Korea. Made of three horizontal wooden poles placed between stone or wooden pillars, these gates are simple in form but rich in meaning. Beyond marking the threshold of a home, they also serve as a subtle, visual cue to let neighbors know whether the homeowner is present or away.

This collection explores the concept of “Borrowed Systems”—drawing from disciplines like biology, philosophy, architecture, or music to reimagine how we design clothing. By translating the logic or structure of a system outside of fashion into a garment-based context, the goal is to create human-centric, socially aware designs that challenge the status quo. Whether addressing sustainability, wearability, or cultural narratives, this approach invites a deeper, more purposeful engagement with fashion as both form and function.

For this project, I was inspired by Jung Nang, the traditional gate system of Jeju Island, which communicates whether someone is home through simple wooden bars.

I wanted to incorporate that idea of nonverbal communication into my outerwear designs, as I see outerwear as the "door" to a complete look—it's the first layer people see and often the one that makes the strongest impression.

I plan to explore this concept through garments that feature parallel and intersecting lines, echoing the structure of Jung Nang.

I’ll be manipulating fabrics using pleating techniques and start some designs through draping, finalizing them with illustrations in my sketchbook.