February 26, 2013 13:04
President Park Geun-hye changed clothes several times between events during her inauguration on Monday. Fashion pundits detected an attempt to achieve a balance of colors in an effort to appear close to the people.
When she visited the National Cemetery in Seoul, Park appeared in all black wearing an overcoat and pants.
At the inauguration ceremony, she wore an olive-green jacket with gold buttons and a lavender scarf. She also wore a cloisonne brooch in the shape of a butterfly. Green is the color of harmony and balance, experts said.
"Female leaders often wear clothes in achromatic colors for official occasions. But, by choosing green the president apparently tried to look friendly and approachable," speculated Kang Jin-ju, a personal image consultant.
Ahn Su-kyung, another consultant, claimed, "The color green represents harmony and reflects her wish to resolve conflict and pursue reconciliation and prosperity."
The butterfly brooch symbolizes hope and revival and taking off for the future, according to Prof. Kan Ho-seop at Hongik University.
After the inauguration ceremony, Park dropped in at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts for a post-inauguration event and changed into hanbok or traditional Korean dress. Designed by Kim Young-seok, the red outer gown was adorned with a flower motif, while the top and skirt underneath were blue.
In the afternoon, Park started her job at Cheong Wa Dae. This time she wore a pine green jacket with black buttons and black pants along with a pearl necklace. The outfit represents leadership as well as femininity, Ahn claimed.
Then Park changed into hanbok again for an official dinner with foreign guests. The neckband was decorated with roses of Sharon, the national flower.
Some grumbled that Park should have consulted experts because she would have looked better if she had picked the right accessories, for example.
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