Mozart’s masterpiece, Così fan tutte, which heated up the Opera Theater at the Seoul Arts Center for three days from May 22 to 24, drew to a close amidst roaring applause from the audience. Moving beyond a conventional opera, this production is being hailed as a monumental stage where Designer Kim Jung-ah of the premium Korean high-fashion brand ‘LANEYU’ enveloped the entire performance in the artistry of Haute Couture. Following the successful run, we caught up with Designer Kim Jung-ah via phone to hear the behind-the-scenes story of the stage.
Q. How do you feel about successfully completing this collaborative stage of Così fan tutte with the Beseto Opera Company?
"This stage was both a massive challenge and a grand celebration for me. The moment the curtain fell, my heart swelled as I felt the deep resonance of classical music and the vibrant energy of K-fashion erupting as one within the Seoul Arts Center Opera Theater. The precise moment when the 22 models from the LANEYU Arts Group, the vocalists, and the maestro's conducting harmonized, it delivered an absolute ecstasy—as if the haute couture fashion shows of Milan and Paris coexisted across time and space with the opera houses of Vienna."
Q. The costume concepts for Acts 1 and 2 were quite contrasting and impressive. What message did you want to convey through the attire?
"For this production, we prepared around 30 high-end dresses, each valued at approximately 10 million KRW. The heavy texture of the 'classic velvet' introduced in Act 1 and the pure 'white dresses' adorning Act 2 are not just beautiful garments. They are the result of weaving the fragile human psychology and the shifting emotional lines of love into fashion. Furthermore, to flawlessly recreate the ambiance of 17th-century classicism, we went through rigorous historical research and reinterpretation, down to the hairstyles and the finest design objects. I wanted the costumes to assert their presence on stage not merely as props, but as 'yet another actor' driving the plot forward. I am deeply grateful that the audience recognized that intent and responded with such awe."
Q. Your synergy with Artistic Director Kang Hwa-ja of the Beseto Opera Company is already well-known in the art world as a 'Golden Duo.'
"Director Kang Hwa-ja and I have built deep artistic trust over many years. Starting with Die Fledermaus in 2021, Carmen and La Bohème in 2022, and Don Giovanni, which heated up the Seoul Arts Center last year, we have continuously worked together to breathe modern aesthetics into classical art. I believe this production of Così fan tutte is the full blossoming of our shared chemistry. With General Music Director Kwon Yong-jin's precise ensemble leadership and the heavenly harmonies of the choir, LANEYU's high fashion was able to maximize both visual and auditory pleasure."
Q. What significance do you think this performance holds for the global journey of K-culture and K-fashion?
"I wanted to demonstrate on stage how organically and dimensionally beautiful K-fashion can become when it converges with traditional classical opera. I proudly believe that this performance achieved both popular appeal and artistic excellence, presenting a new landmark for Korean comprehensive stage arts. Moving forward, we will not stop our steps in pioneering a new grammar for K-culture and leading global trends through the organic fusion of high fashion and traditional classics."
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