Hanse Industrial, Creator of 'K-Fashion Academy'... Vice Chairman Kim Ik-hwan "Producing Global Experts"

Partnering with Hongik University to Establish the 'Next Design Lab'
Vice Chairman Kim Ik-hwan Serves as Adjunct Professor to Teach Students Directly
Leads Global Fashion Talent Program, Expressing Determination to "Nurture World-Class Talent"

Fashion manufacturing and development company (ODM) Hansae Yes24 Holdings is partnering with Hongik University to nurture world-class K-fashion talent through the 'Next Design Lab.' Kim Ik-hwan, Vice Chairman of Hansae Yes24 Holdings, expressed his ambition to personally teach students and produce K-fashion experts equipped with practical skills.

On the 20th, Vice Chairman Kim Ik-hwan attended a press conference held at Hongik University Art & Design Valley in Mapo-gu, Seoul, stating, "The Next Design Lab is more than just an educational space; it is designed to cultivate talent that will lead the globalization of K-fashion." He added, "We will nurture talent based on over 40 years of know-how and knowledge accumulated in the global fashion market."

Vice Chairman Kim Ik-hwan is delivering a welcoming speech on the establishment of the 'Next Design Lab' at Hongik University Art & Design Valley in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 20th. Photo by Minji Lee.

The Next Design Lab is an educational program involving Hongik University faculty. Its goal is to develop talent capable of covering the entire fashion industry, from product development to management. Vice Chairman Kim reportedly deliberated extensively, visiting world-renowned design institutes such as Sweden's 'Space 10' and Denmark's 'Future Living Institute' to create the program.

Vice Chairman Kim said the Next Design Lab can significantly bridge the gap between university education and practical work in society. He stated, "Even when hiring, despite graduates coming from good schools, companies often need to provide up to a year of training." He added, "Upon reviewing school curricula, I found some parts disconnected from reality, so we designed this to provide practical education."

The Next Design Lab consists of three main programs: ▲Classes ▲Directors' Table ▲Conferences. Classes were launched earlier this year as a Hongik University liberal arts course, with lectures spanning 15 weeks. The Directors' Table functions as a research group to discuss and share ways to further develop K-fashion. The Conference program was relocated from the Seoul Work Design Conference, which began in 2018.

On the 4th, Vice Chairman Kim Ik-hwan gave a lecture at Hongik University Art and Design Valley. Provided by Hanse Industrial.

Vice Chairman Kim rolled up his sleeves to directly foster talent. He serves as an adjunct professor, personally guiding students, and conducted his first lecture on the 4th. He said, "I am currently lecturing on the global fashion talent development course," and added, "I was surprised to see students listening with bright eyes, appreciating that they are receiving practical education without wasting time." In addition to Vice Chairman Kim, Hansae Yes24 Holdings executives also participate as instructors. Students who attend the lectures will receive various benefits, such as document screening advantages when applying for Hansae Yes24 Holdings' open recruitment in the future.

The Next Design Lab plans to expand its courses to the general public. Na Hoon-young, CEO of Next Design Lab, explained, "We aim to be an open platform where the general public can also enroll by paying tuition." He added, "After taking the courses, general participants will receive additional points when applying for jobs, making employment easier. We also plan to offer online courses."

Vice Chairman Kim Ik-hwan (fourth from the left) is taking a commemorative photo. Hanse MK CEO Kim Ji-won (third from the left) and Hanse Yes24 Holdings Chairman Kim Dong-nyeong (sixth from the left) also attended the event. Photo by Minji Lee.

On the day, Vice Chairman Kim expressed his determination to globalize the company's brands. Using 'Moimoln,' a children's clothing brand operated by Hansae MK within the Hansae Group, as an example, he said, "We have opened stores in Japan and are conducting online marketing with positive responses." He added, "The brands we operate are also targeting the global market." This reflects the intention to evolve from a business that produces clothing on order to cultivating in-house brands as K-fashion brands that succeed in the global market.

Meanwhile, the event was attended by Kim Dong-nyeong, Chairman of Hansae Yes24 Holdings and father of Vice Chairman Kim Ik-hwan, and Kim Ji-won, CEO of Hansae MK and his younger sister. Kim Sung-chan, Vice Chairman of the Korea Fashion Association, and Kim Ju-yeon, Seoul City Chief Public Designer, also appeared, showing support for Hansae Yes24 Holdings' efforts to nurture K-fashion talent.

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