Tenafly celebrates New Jersey's first Korean Hanbok Day with swaths of silk and style

TENAFLY — Colorful silk garments imported from South Korea filled Huyler Park on Thursday as hundreds celebrated New Jersey's first Korean Hanbok Day.

"Hanbok" refers to traditional Korean clothing, and luxurious designs dating as far back as the first century B.C. were on display in a fashion show organized by the town's Korean American community.

"A lot of our second generation and third generation are not aware of our cultural heritage and this beautiful garment," said Brian Jon, president of the Tenafly-based Asian American Youth Council. "We wanted to create awareness as well as create a day where we could all celebrate our culture."

Hanbok Day is celebrated on Oct. 21 in South Korea as well. The Youth Council proposed that Tenafly officially designate the same day, and borough Mayor Mark Zinna accepted.

The hanbok can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms of Korea period, dating from the first century B.C. to the seventh century A.D., with origins in what is now northern Korea and Manchuria.

Its basic elements include the jeogori jacket, baji pants, chima skirt and po coat. The style remains unchanged in modern South Korea, with the hanbok worn for festivals, weddings and celebrations.

Mary Chao 趙 慶 華 covers the Asian community and real estate for NorthJersey.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news out of North Jersey, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.