Andre Kim fashion show brings more fantasy into Angkor Wat 상세내용
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Andre Kim fashion show brings more fantasy into Angkor Wat
date
2006-12-19 00:00:00
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SIEM REAP, Cambodia _ A top-class Korean designer dazzled Cambodian dignitaries and citizens as well as Korean residents here with a fantasy-ridden fashion show staged at a world famous stone temple Monday and Tuesday nights (Dec. 11-12).
Andre Kims fashion show, which took place to highlight the ongoing Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture Expo in this small Cambodian city, featured top Korean celebrities riding high on the Korean wave, such as actress Kim Hee-sun and actor Kim Rae-won as models.
Rising stars including Lee Ki-woo and Chung Dong-jin took part in the show on a catwalk set up against the background of the colorfully illuminated Angkor Wat, a cultural heritage site dating back to the early 12th century. It is considered one of the seven wonders in the world.
The Expo, co-organized by the Korean and Cambodian governments, started in Nov. 21 and will continue through Jan. 9.
Both governments have expressed full support for the 50-day event held under the title “Ancient Future -- the Myths of the Orient.” They hope that this bilateral project will bring more of the worlds attention to the rich cultural heritages in both countries.
The event culminated in Andre Kims fashion art collection, the first of its kind to be held in the “Garden of the Gods.” Tenor Jose Carreras also pered at Angkor Wat in 2002.
Kims fashion show, known for its fairytale-like settings, was previously held at another world wonder -- Egypts Pyramids, in 1996.
Kim expressed special feelings about staging his show at Angkor Wat.
“Its a great honor to be here in the Kingdom of Cambodia to present my fashion show,” Kim said in a speech ahead of the show Tuesday. “This (Angkor Wat) is one of the most important international heritage sites. I myself and we Koreans have great respect for your country and your citizens.”
In return, expressing his personal confidence in the 71-year-old Korean designer, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An called it a “cosmic and international event.”
Speaking proudly of the history of the countrys ancestors, the deputy prime minister added, “Please protect and promote cultural heritages.”
The fashion show featured bold and graceful designs specially laid out by Kim for the occasion.
The show put on last Tuesday was in two parts. The first, which celebrated the Expo, suffered a technical glitch and models had to walk without music for some 10 minutes. After a moment of embarrassment, however, the audience cheered and the show resumed with “oohs” and “aahs,” and models sporting white dresses embroidered with black boughs and golden leaves.
The second half, “Passion, Dream & Romanticism,” featured red dressed models taking turns displaying costume designs inspired by the history of the Khmer Kingdom (802-1432) and Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.- A.D.935), predecessors of Cambodia and Korea respectively. The dresses showed the faces and gestures of the Buddha immortalized by the two countries sculptors.
Linked by blue color-dominated “Oriental Rhapsody” stage, the finale featured wedding dresses frequently used by Kim, under the title “Everlasting Love from Utopia.”
Tickets for the fashion show, accompanied by dinner at tables near the stage, were priced at 300, 500 and 1,000 for locals and Koreans alike. Despite the high prices, the tickets were sold out, organizers said.
Many guests were invited. Among Cambodian dignitaries who attended the event were Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Nhek Bun Chhay, Siem Reap Governor Su Phirin, as well as the sons and daughters of Prime Minister Hun Sen and other ministers.
“The Korean Wave stars may not be very popular among ordinary Cambodians, but they have gained popularity among societys high-class,” said Moeun Nhean, publisher-director of The Cambodian, a local business and travel magazine.
Cambodia is a fast-growing popular tourist spot, especially for Koreans. Of the estimated 1.5 million visitors to Cambodia per year on average, some 200,000 are estimated to be Koreans, topping the tourist numbers by nationality.
