Dongdaemun Designers Differ

  In Dongdaemun market, there are a total of more than 100,000 fashion designers, including wholesale and retail full-time designers and other freelancers or apprentices.

  As we have the same view, those Dongdaemun designers are a very important human resource in the sustainable growth path of the Dongdaemun fashion cluster, along with the CEOs of wholesaling shops and employees and the labor force of the sewing factory in Gangbuk, Seoul, and other market people, etc.

  Amid of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, Dongdaemun designers faced difficulties in the workplace because of the reduced in design work. It is obvious that designers’ work has been drastically reduced as the sales of wholesalers fell sharply. Among those Dongdaemun designers, most of the irregular workers or apprentices suddenly became unemployed. They are more serious because they have no other income due to their professional nature and are not beneficiaries of employment insurance.

  In the meantime, Dongdaemun designers had a dream to succeed as an employee and full-time designer of a large-scale fashion company or Dongdaemun wholesaling shop. Also, they wanted to become famous designers both inside and outside the market, such as a star born with their own brand. 

  Unfortunately, in this difficult market situation, it is not easy to realize their dreams. Even so, they won’t be able to give up. Koreans always say, “There is a solution when it is very difficult.” They should listen to this advice.

  Recently, Dongdaemun market people seem to recognize that strengthening e-commerce business of any firm will be a key to its success. In addition, they think they should do global marketing without relying on the domestic market.

  In short, Dongdaemun designers can no longer rest as unemployed. They need to develop the ability to make better fashion products through the improvement of technology as well as the continuation of creative design work. It’s like a strong army always doing military exercise in peace.

  We heard a good new from a company that manages sustainability by exporting to overseas through quality control of Dongdaemun products. SeoulClick is the company.

 
-Some of the popular Dongdaemun fashion items we exported last week, seoulclick.com-

  The company plans to open the ICT system like a platform soon to increase online and un-tact exports. In particular, it is aimed to target a wide global market by holding e-fashion shows on the platform from time to time.

  Why don’t Dongdaemun designers knock on the company and participating in the cyber fashion show. We need to think about a French economist Say’s law that “supply creates its own demand.” It is a common idea that when a fashion product with any stylish design   is supplied, consumers will have a desire to consume it.

  Dongdaemun designers are required to produce samples of experimental fashion products according to the behavior of fashion consumers and to appeal to the e-global fashion show. As the popularity of K-pop and its influenced K-fashion has increased, new consumption demand and its needs for Dongdaemun designer products also may be induced.

  Of course, it cannot be said that a Dongdaemun designer exhibited her prototype at an e-fashion show to secure a steady job and a stable source of income. But it is better to try than not try. We are sure that Dongdaemun designers differ.

  They cannot find new workplace to change jobs. The design knowledge and technology that they have accumulated so far are not available anywhere else. Even if they aren’t a big dream to become a star-class designer, they won’t lose their pride as a designer and their passion for the job. It is also because their creativity and diligence must be used well for the management and its performance of many fashion companies.

“Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.” +

  Albert Einstein, a genius scientist, said. Dongdaemun designers will overcome any limitations in the crisis and improve their quality of work life with creativity and hard working.

  Koreans say, “We reap as we sow.” It means one cannot get any fruit except sowing the seed in the field. Rather, it is right to say that dreams are science. An idle dream cannot get something. If no one works, there is no fruit. Dreams will come true for those who work diligently. ++

+ Johnnie L. Robert, The Big Book of Business Quotations, Skyhorse Publishing, 2016, p.287.
++ Bong (Bong Sik) Sul, Dongdaemun Style, Dongdaemun Style, ebook.kstudy.com, Seoul, 2019, p.213.
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Bong Sul (Advisor, SeoulClick)
Read more: Bong (Bong Sik) Sul, Dongdaemun Style, ebook.kstudy.com, Seoul, 2019.

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