Duksung Women's University fashion design students win consecutive outstanding paper awards

Students from Duksung Women's University's Fashion Design program have earned recognition for their research capabilities, securing consecutive undergraduate paper awards at academic conferences.

Over the course of April and May 2026, eight students from the program participated in three major academic events: the Korean Society of Costume Culture Spring Academic Conference, the 50th Anniversary Spring Academic Conference of the Korean Society of Costume, and the Korean Fashion Design Association Spring Academic Conference. Their research spanned diverse areas including fashion design, marketing, and fashion technology.

Two teams were honored with undergraduate paper awards. The first award was presented to students Kwak Min-kyung and Kim Jeong-a for their study, "Changes in the Sociocultural Meaning of Sagging Fashion." Guided by Professor Choi Mi-young, this research analyzed how sagging fashion, once a symbol of rebellion in subcultures, has been reinterpreted in contemporary fashion. The study posits that sagging fashion is now seen as a strategy for self-expression and belonging, influenced by K-pop idols, global brands, and social media, moving beyond a mere trend to reflect youth identity formation.

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Students have developed the knowledge learned in class into actual research and won awards for outstanding papers at national academic conferences, which is a very meaningful achievement.

The second award recognized Lee Seo-eun's research, "Development of Gender Fluid Design Based on the Concept of Gender Habitus," presented at the Korean Society of Costume conference. Under the mentorship of Professor Kim Sung-eun, this project focused on developing a fashion design brand that embraces gender-fluid concepts, allowing for free expression of personal identity. The research was commended for its academic rigor and practical applicability.

Professor Choi Mi-young expressed pride in the students' achievements, noting the significance of their success at national-level conferences. The university's Fashion Design department aims to continue supporting students in developing both their research and design skills, fostering them into well-rounded fashion professionals.

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We will continue to actively support students so that they can grow into convergent fashion specialists who possess both research and design capabilities.