MOYO shirt jacket blends hanbok and kitenge textiles
Jerrybag and ili studio present the MOYO shirt jacket, merging the traditional Korean hanbok silhouette with East African kitenge fabric, produced by women in Uganda.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- The MOYO shirt jacket combines the traditional Korean hanbok silhouette with East African kitenge textiles.
- Developed by social enterprise Jerrybag in collaboration with designer Hyunah Kim of ili studio.
- Crafted by a local women's cooperative in Kampala, Uganda, trained at a sustainable design center.
- Named after the Swahili word for 'heart,' bridging Asian and African aesthetic design languages.
The intersection of distinct cultural aesthetics has taken shape in a creative garment project, as the MOYO shirt jacket emerges to reinterpret traditional attire through a modern global lens. The piece brings together the structural characteristics of classic Asian heritage wear with vibrant African textile traditions.
Developed by design-focused social enterprise Jerrybag in partnership with designer Hyunah Kim of ili studio, the garment draws upon Kim's living experience in Rwanda to explore shared design possibilities between Korea and East Africa. The familiar shirt jacket format serves as an accessible bridge for consumers to engage with cross-cultural elements.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Named after the Swahili word for 'heart,' the MOYO jacket translates the layered construction, wrapping technique, and relaxed proportions of the traditional Korean hanbok into a contemporary outerwear format. The design carefully pairs the understated geometry of the historical garment with the high-contrast colors and dynamic patterns characteristic of East African Kitenge fabric.
The vibrant textile patterns serve to highlight the structural seam lines of the jacket, successfully merging the flowing, layered construction of the hanbok with an everyday casual silhouette. This cross-cultural approach offers a fresh perspective on how heritage apparel can be adapted into modern wardrobes.
Cross-cultural collaborations in fashion often highlight the value of localized craftsmanship while addressing global markets. By blending distinct regional silhouettes with traditional textiles, projects like MOYO create meaningful economic pathways and celebrate heritage through contemporary design applications.
Production of the MOYO jacket is based in Kampala, Uganda, relying on a local women's cooperative trained through Jerrybag's Sustainable Design Center. This initiative was established in 2024 via the KOICA Inclusive Business Program to support skill-building and local entrepreneurship.
Distribution is handled through AFRO LOOM, a lifestyle design retail platform operating in both Seoul and Kampala, connecting makers and consumers across these distinct regions.
Source: designboom
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