How can we refine performance with tradition in a sustainable way?
Course: CLO 3D
Time frame: 7 Weeks (09.2024)
Instructor: Hojin In
KOLON SPORTS
Humble Beginnings:
KOLON Sport started as Korea’s first outdoor clothing brand in 1973 by KOLON chemical and fiber company
Ever since their foundation, the brand has focused on engineering performance textiles for olympic athletes and outdoor enthusiasts alike
*This product is, along with any trademarks, brands of copyright materials of Kolon Sports for demonstration purposes only and as a student work*
HAENYEOS (해녀)
Located on Jeju Island, a small island off the coast of the South Korean peninsula, they are sisterhood of women who are devoted to sustainable harvesting practices and recognized as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage
KEY PAIN POINTS OF TRADITIONAL WETSUIT
- Difficulty of putting the suit on/off
-
Having to have separate belts with rock/metal weights
-
Lack of a way to carry all their items
- Lack of customization and way to express their own style
Under Suit
Referencing historic wetsuits, the under layer is optimal for the hot summers of Jeju Island and ease of changing in/out of the suit
Top Suit
The added long-sleeve layer allows for better insulation for cooler seasons when water temperatures can drop below 58 degrees Fahrenheit and provide water-proof protection. (seatemperature.org)
Top Suit Detail
Vest
Every Haenyeo has their own way of wearing diving weights and carrying their harvests. Integrating this adaptability into the design with a diversity of fabric loops and hardware is key for comfort
Head Covering
For greater insulation and sun protection, a head covering is an essential part of a Haenyeo’s uniform
CMF
A reflection of Jeju Island’s natural beautiesJeju is known for their Halla-bong fruit, the love child of tangerines and oranges.
Sweet and tangy, these prized fruits are one of Jeju’s biggest exports. Whole, dried into tea, jam-ed or juiced, Halla-bongs are an icon of Jeju as much as Haenyeos are.
Jeju is Korea’s love island, the place where many couples go to spend their honeymoon.
This kind of soft sunset in Jeju is only seen around the summer when the cloudy seas of the winter clear up and the sun stains the sky with a multitude of different hues.
Jeju is an island made from volcanic activity which lends to its fertile soil. There are many jagged cliffs and rock formations along the island with beautiful flower fields.
Functional Warmth
Wetsuit colors for free-diving must be darker in value, in order to absorb heat from the sun to keep divers warm in water.
Sea temperatures range from a chilling 58 degrees in the winter to 76 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. (seatemperature.org)
The high contrast, accent colors work to keep divers safe and visible in Jeju’s strong currents.
© Na Eun Choi 2025 go back home >