[Insta Walk] Object - The Crossroad of Props Where Consumers and Producers Meet, 'The Birth of a Masterpiece'

Emerging Designers and Small Producers Create
Serving as a Face-to-Face Platform in Local Communities

Diaries, Calendars, Bags, Scarves...
Displaying 2,000 Items from 50 Brands

Wise Consumption Culture with Barter Corner
Utilizing Donated Shopping Bags and Delivery Boxes

Expanded to 7 Stores Nationwide
Starting Overseas Online Expansion in Japan Next Month

Plastic mobile accessory located at Object Seoul Hongdae branch. / Photo by Juhyung Lim @skepped

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] In the world of dual-natured accessories, a small ‘platform’ that connects producers and consumers while providing appropriate coaching is gaining attention on social media. This is 'Object' Seogyo Branch, located near Hongdaeipgu Station in Seoul.

Passing Exit 8 of Hongdaeipgu Station and walking along the Gyeongui Line Book Street, a bright white three-story building with large windows catches the eye. This is where Object Seogyo Branch is located.

True to its name, Object (object·samul) offers various types of accessories. From diaries, calendars, and plastic mobiles to bags and scarves, there are over 2,000 items produced by about 50 brands. Perhaps because it is already well-known, on the day the reporter visited, there were quite a few customers busy admiring the charming accessories.

What draws consumers to Object? Object said it is the "attractiveness of the brands." However, the brands Object refers to are not the expensive and luxurious ones commonly known, like Sha* or Gu*. Instead, they refer to brands that can express modesty and individuality even within small communities.

'Grandma Ouri's Gift Shop' Themed Exhibition Frame / Photo by Juhyung Lim @skepped

For example, on the day of the visit, there was a themed exhibition at the store called 'Grandma Ouri’s Gift Shop.' Centered around a warm grandmother character, knitted products, frames, and letter postcards were displayed to welcome customers.

Object explained, "Brands and artists take the lead in exhibiting within the display stands," adding, "Every time there is an exhibition, Object collaborates closely with the artists to think about how to make the brands and exhibited products more attractive. We also produce collaborative products and share ideas for planned items." Inside the store, each brand’s unique zone is distinguished to organize product displays, allowing customers to browse through various products and recognize the brand’s category as a whole.

Above all, Object is a 'platform' where producers and consumers intersect and communicate. It is a fitting name because it enables consumers to meet face-to-face with accessories made by emerging designers and small-scale producers. Although many large and small online and offline platforms have emerged, and goods are traded in large quantities through them, Object aims to fulfill its role as a warm and trustworthy small platform that can be found within local communities. Object explained the background of its opening by saying, "When I was active as a designer in the past, I wanted to sell the items I created, but there was no suitable space for small creators to enter and sell their products." Therefore, Object invites artists with their own unique colors and stories to provide opportunities to directly introduce their products and brands.

Various products displayed according to the exhibition theme. / Photo by Juhyung Lim @skepped

Object also has the ambition to promote wise consumption culture. Embedded in this is the concept of resource circulation. The ‘barter’ corner, which has been operated since the early days, was created with this in mind. It allows people to exchange items with unique stories one-to-one with others. They also put effort into recycling shopping bags and delivery boxes; in particular, all shopping bags used in the store are donated by visiting customers.

The ‘Object Recycle’ corner, which sells so-called 'B-grade products' produced during the manufacturing process or trades secondhand goods collected from various regions, operates with a similar purpose. Even B-grade products can be valuable resources if used properly, so there is no need to rush to disposal.

Object has expanded its stores to seven nationwide and has ambitions to go overseas. Object said, "We are actively engaging online to connect with local communities not only domestically but also internationally," adding, "We plan to open a branch in Japan within a year." Starting from February, they will first meet Japanese fans through Rakuten.

Object emphasized, "Although this is an 'untact' era where meetings are not easy, there are definitely values that can only be experienced and felt by meeting in person," and added, "We intend to establish Object as a platform that can provide such experiences to both creators and consumers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.