On November 28, 2023, Han Jun, a Hongik University student of Textile Art and Fashion Design, won the 2023 Woolmark Performance Challenge International Competition.  The competition was organized by The Woolmark Company, responsible for research development and certification of Australian 'merino wool' and is a highly respected competition in the design industry.  The Woolmark Performance Challenge, in partnership with leading performance apparel brands, is a problem-solving platform that brings together bright minds from around the world.  This platform aims to develop innovative and environmentally friendly product solutions for the sports and performance markets, using the unique natural properties of Australian Merino wool.  In 2023, students from 210 schools in 30 countries around the world applied for the challenge.

Hongik University student Jun Han won the competition with his proposal for "Merino-Marine Tex", a fabric particularly functional for both marine and cycling sports. Han Jun not only presented a development plan for Merino-Marine Tex as a functional fabric, but also put forth a specific proposal for the fabric regarding fashion design, research, marketing, and market analysis.  Student Han Jun said, “I was introduced to the contest by Professor Lee Seungik (Department of Textile and Fashion Design), the Professor of a convergence PBL class (Fashion Design + Product Prototyping Studio) that I was taking during the first semester of last year”. Han Jun added, "It was appealing to me that this competition focused not on typical aesthetic values in design, but rather on the proposal of new ideas around the most basic fundamental of design: materials.  This competition went beyond just proposing ideas, and meant that we had to present a specific overall production process for industrial realization based on knowledge and research in materials and natural sciences.  Furthermore, Han Jun stated, "Upon learning about the specific competition guidelines, I gained the courage to challenge myself.  I believed it was a suitable competition for me because I am interested in the integration of technology into fashion work."

Commenting on his win, Han Jun said, "I think a lot of thoughts went through my mind the moment my name was called at the German awards ceremony. This competition is the first accomplishment from years of perseverance, and it has given me a zest and confidence looking towards my future. "It was a moment that felt like a turning point in my life," he said.  "Up until high school, I pursued studies completely unrelated to art, so I faced skepticism from those around me when I decided to attend an art college.  Starting a major that was the opposite of what I had studies before, I wanted to validate my choice, and so I was eager to participate in the competition." "As an undergraduate student, I am very grateful for the result, and it gives me confidence that my hard work has not been in vain," he said, while also expressing gratitude to the professors and fellow students who helped and supported him along the way.  "I can say that coming to Hongik University College of Fine Arts is the best choice I have ever made in my life, and I have met so many helpful people," he said, thanking his professors and fellow students, expressing his desire to also try to help others.

Han Jun mentioned, "In preparing for the competition, I was most inspired by the words of Lorenzo Bertelli, Marketing Director of the Prada Group, who said that the design is based on a philosophy inspired by innovation, technology, research and social responsibility relating to new materials." He further stated, "Based on this inspiration, I wanted to develop an idea that resonated with the philosophical and social responsibility perspectives pursued by both Prada Yacht Team and The Woolmark Company."

Merino Marine Tex is an eco-friendly fabric made by blending merino wool with environmentally friendly materials extracted from marine waste.  The main purpose of the competition was to design a marine sports uniform for Prada's sailing team, Team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.  "During my research, I learned about the marine conservation project carried out by the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team aimed at recovering marine waste.  I felt confident that I could continue my research on the issue of marine microplastics, which has always been a personal interest of mine," Jun Han explained that this was the reason behind his choice of marine waste as an eco-friendly material. He also stated that "specific evidence and cases suggesting that polymers used in Prada's Re-Nylon material production process can be extracted and utilized from marine waste" were considered favourable in terms of branding direction”, adding that marketing factors were also taken into account.  Ultimately, the fabric and garment had to meet the theme of "extreme functionality for winning marine sports competitions".  Student Jun Han said that he thinks combining marine waste was effective for implementing functionality in the utilization of methods such as "nano-particle post-treatment technology combined with recycled materials," and "yarn spinning and weaving methods."

The winner also receives an internship opportunity with Prada Style Department.  "I am both overwhelmed and excited to be interning at Prada, a company I could only dream of working for," said Han Jun, expressing both his joy and sense of responsibility.  He said that his goal is to live with gratitude and never forget his beginning. In addition, he expressed hope that if he remains humble and continues to do his best at every moment, he may embrace a new phase of his life.

As for his future plans, Han Jun said he plans to challenge himself in various fashion fields beyond sportswear.  He said, "I don’t have specific set plans for the distant future yet," but expressed his aspirations: "After completing my imminent graduation, interning at Prada in Milan, and gaining further career experience in the international luxury brand sector, I would like to launch my own brand." In addition, he said, "I would like to meet various people, and take some time to study and research more deeply about the technology, fashion, and textile fields that I am interested in."  While expressing his passion for his studies, he said that he would like to achieve his immediate short-term goals rather than focusing solely on the long-term, and expressed his desire to continue pioneering his future direction.

Online Communications Reporter, Kwon Seoyoon