"Waste Clothing Reborn as 'Korean Beauty'... Pioneering New Market for Fabric Vases"

by Jo Youjin

Published 08 Feb.2020 09:00(KST)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] “I was surprised to learn that so many clothes from fashion companies are discarded and incinerated without being sold. Over 100,000 tons of waste clothing and fabric are incinerated annually at the high end. The current business started from a vague idea of recycling discarded clothing and fabric.”

Choi Kwangje and Park Gyuok, founders of Dungeulge Dungeulge, said, “We planned the business because we thought the leftover scraps of fabric and defective dyed fabrics from the clothing production process were too beautiful to be thrown away while making art kits.” Dungeulge Dungeulge is an upcycling startup that creates fabric vase covers from waste clothing and fabric, adding design to discarded items to create value beyond recycling.

CEO Choi said, “We obtain discarded fabric from the Gyeonggi-do Upcycle Plaza either free of charge or at a very low cost and use it as material for our products.” Although raw material costs are reduced, the process is not simple. CEO Choi explained, “We manufacture products by carrying out fabric washing, laser cutting, sewing, and sample production at different factories, so the cost ratio is not low.”

Dungeulge Dungeulge’s main products are Dalhangari, Goryeo Celadon, and Seoul Hangari. They are inspired by three types of Korean ceramics: Joseon white porcelain, Goryeo celadon, and Joseon white porcelain excavated from the Cheongjin-dong area in Seoul. Dungeulge Dungeulge is the first in Korea to attempt the item of fabric vase covers. This innovative attempt won the bronze prize at the Seoul Design Product Competition. CEO Choi said, “Winning the bronze prize at an event hosted by the Seoul Design Foundation, which introduces design and craft brands, has helped us gain some business distribution channels.”

Recently, they received a supply proposal for room display purposes from a domestic luxury hotel. The response has been better overseas. At the Seoul Design Festival held last December, they received a love call from a French general trading company and are currently discussing initial supply volumes. He said, “The beautiful colors of the ceramic objects and fabric seem to resonate with foreigners seeking ‘Korean aesthetics.’” Their global distribution network is being established through overseas exhibitions. CEO Choi said, “We will focus on expanding sales channels by attending overseas exhibitions in Europe, Japan, and other regions.”

They are also developing offline sales channels. CEO Choi said, “Currently, we are stocked at Almost Home Cafe in Insadong, operated by Epigram, a lifestyle brand under Kolon Industries FnC division, and our products are also on display at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza Archive.” They are also considering expanding online sales channels in the third quarter of this year. CEO Choi said, “We are discussing expanding sales through the lifestyle category of a women’s fashion platform within the third quarter,” adding, “This year, we plan to diversify our product line by launching new products such as passport cases, frames, and keyrings.”