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A Work Jacket in Ramie: Soobaak Vintage × Steady State × DIPIND

  • Writer: JungYeol Kim
    JungYeol Kim
  • Jun 11
  • 2 min read

Here’s a sample of our upcoming work jacket made from traditional Korean mosi-sambae (fine ramie cloth). The blue one is dyed with jjok (natural indigo), and the black version will be finished using meok (traditional black ink dye).


This project is all about tension—the contradiction between material and form. Ramie, typically seen in breezy, summer hanbok, is now being structured into a rugged, utilitarian silhouette. That contrast is the core of the piece.


But the real challenge lies in how far we can push that tension without breaking the harmony. Where we choose to pause—how we balance tradition with wearability—is what will define the quality of this jacket. In the end, it needs to be something anyone can look at and just want to wear. No need for explanation—just instinct.


So keep an eye out for this one:

Soobaak Vintage × Steady State × DIPIND Traditional ramie chore jacket, reimagined.

@soobaak_vintage

@maisonsteadystate Dye by

@dipind_seoul


PS: It’s insanely lightweight and cool. Perfect for summer.





The story behind this project?It started, honestly, with zero intention.


  1. I bought a batch of mosi-sambae fabric purely out of impulse—fell in love with the texture at first sight. No plans, no purpose. Just heart first, wallet second.The funny part?Turns out, the fabric I was so enchanted by… was made in China.Korean-style ramie, sure—but not actually Korean.I threw it all out.A great lesson in heartbreak and authenticity.


  2. During the last Future Market Marathon at EQL, I stumbled across a small independent seller with amazing pieces at ridiculously good prices. I bought a bunch, and then casually asked, “So… what do you do?”He replied, “I work in traditional dyeing.”What are the chances?That seller turned out to be none other than Kookhyun Hwang of DIPIND. A total fateful encounter.


  3. Today, we joined Hwang at a jjok (indigo) dyeing workshop. We spent the day asking:How do we make something that doesn’t look like a folk craft souvenir?How can we stay true to the roots and make it actually fashionable?We’re aiming to launch the final pieces by July—in three colorways: raw white, indigo blue, and ink black.


  4. I’m not someone who chases “meaning” when I make clothes.I chase curiosity.And, yes, I chase sales.To put it simply, I like fun business. Lightly, truly.


That’s why we want to sell this to people who’ve never thought about traditional craft.People who don’t even know what ramie is.We want them to want it—just because it’s cool.


So stay tuned: Soobaak Vintage × Steady State × DIPIND


@soobaak_vintage

@maisonsteadystate


Dye by @dipind_seoul


PS: Still insanely lightweight and cool.

Just saying.


 
 
 

The Honest Charm of Joseon Folkcraft

  • Writer: JungYeol Kim
    JungYeol Kim
  • Apr 18
  • 1 min read



In my opinion, calligraphy is harder than ceramics, and ceramics are harder than wooden furniture. So when it comes to entering the world of Native Joseon aesthetics, the best starting point is small wooden pieces—like stationery boxes or inkstone cases. Or perhaps a humble soban (a traditional Korean low table).


These kinds of objects fall into what we usually call folk art. That is, something that exists between art and product—folk between art and product.


The beauty of Korean folk craft lies in its simplicity—in its lack. These weren’t pieces made for royal courts. They were used by ordinary people in daily life. There’s no gold leaf, no extravagant patterns. Just everyday materials, put together with utilitarian intent. But give them 200 years, and they begin to carry a richness—like a stew that’s been simmering forever. That’s the charm of native Joseon artifacts.


The more I see them, the more I fall in love. I truly believe these Joseon-era pieces are one of the most underrated “blue-chip” assets still available today. When you consider their beauty and historical value, the prices almost feel too good to be true.


So I say—may everyone enjoy them freely. That ultra-minimal metalwork on the hardware? It’s no joke.


🍉 Joseon-Era Wooden Box

🍉 295,000 KRW


PS – Currently at the top floor of Shinsegae Main Store’s The Heritage (Luxury Hall 2), there's an exhibit featuring Joseon-era objects alongside works by contemporary artists. It’s pretty striking to see native Joseon pieces displayed in the same space as ultra-luxury brands like Chanel. That contrast… it really says something.


 
 
 

The Timeless Beauty of Joseon Patchwork Bojagi

  • Writer: JungYeol Kim
    JungYeol Kim
  • Mar 25
  • 1 min read



Among all things native to Joseon, my absolute favorites are bowls and patchwork bojagi. Amidst the countless unassuming pieces, there are those rare, unexpectedly beautiful ones. There's an irony to it—things created with the intention of being beautiful often feel forced, and in the end, they fail to truly be beautiful.

So far, I’ve bought four pieces of patchwork bojagi for Soobaak. Three have found new homes, and this is the last one. Of all the bojagi I’ve had, this is the largest and the one with the deepest sense of originality. When hung on a window where the light filters through, it is simply breathtaking.

In the past, even fabric scraps were cherished. People would gather these remnants and stitch them together by hand, creating patchwork bojagi. I often describe our sensibilities with the word ‘jeong-han-mak’—and I feel like this bojagi embodies that sentiment, each fragment carrying about 20% of that essence.

Just a side note—while the market determines its value, in my heart, Joseon patchwork bojagi remains one of the finest works of art. I only hope it finds a worthy home.


🍉 Native Joseon Original Patchwork Bojagi

🍉 125cm x 131cm🍉 500,000 KRW

🍉 Early 1900s American Quilting Blanket _ Tumbling Blocks

🍉 200cm x 210cm

🍉 995,000 KRW

  • Made in USA



 
 
 
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